THE CULTURAL ROADMAP FOR CITY GIRLS EVERYWHERE

THE CULTURAL ROADMAP FOR CITY GIRLS EVERYWHERE

The Most Honest Reactions to Trump’s Inauguration: A Queer Roundup

January 21, 2025

Because coping is resistance, too.

Trump’s inauguration wasn’t just a whole ass mess—it was a collective gut punch for many of us. The day felt less like a celebration of democracy and more like an ominous reboot to a very messy four-year reality show we never auditioned for. Across the queer internet, reactions poured in: anger, grief, resistance, humor, shade, and sheer absurdity.

Here’s our roundup of the rawest, realest, and most outrageously relatable responses to Trump’s inauguration, brought to you with a healthy dose of queer sass and resilience—because coping is resistance, too.

History Repeats Itself 

We’re here, we’re queer, we hate the f*cking president…again. In this legendary photo by @dona_ann_mcadams posted by @lgbt_history, a group of ACT UP members, including visionary writer and poet Assotto Saint, carry a coffin in protest of then-President George H.W. Bush’s policies during a demonstration in New York City, July 1990. Change out Bush for Trump and the photo (and sentiment) are as relevant as ever, so it makes sense it was posted today. Comments are pouring in, expressing grief and anger, but most importantly, calling for action. “Folks, these are our ancestors and this is how we got every right we’ve ever had. We build community and raise our voices together. We’ve got 200,000+ Americans across a range of orgs doing just that. You can interact in ways that work for your life. Raise your voice, share your wisdom and let’s push back together http://mobilize.us,” wrote Instagram user @citizenkahn.

It’s Giving Gay

Do Trump-lovers ever take a moment to step back and listen to themselves? This just might be the gayest tweet on the planet, and this is coming from someone who once subtweeted all the lyrics of “Heavy” by Tegan and Sara to my ex-girlfriend. While Trumpers are out here bootlicking and celebrating, you can count on the queer internet to be trolling.

David Lynch Would Love This 

@starterpacksofnyc

It’s a dark day, but no one can deny it’s also– in the words of the late, great David Lynch– “a great time to be alive if you love the theater of the absurd.” 



Yes, Trans People Do Exist 

This photo of @torblay “in a moment of euphoria laying beside his love” @thegreyarea_report by @melodymelamedfoto serves as a stunning reminder that, no matter what hateful rhetoric Trump spews, “Queer and Trans people do exist!”



Our Cover Girls Know What’s Up 

Our beautiful 2024 Pride Issue cover models, couple Ruby and Katrena, use their influencer status not only to share lighthearted lesbian humor and give us a peek into their relationship, they speak their minds unabashedly. Like Ruby and Katrena point out, “We were taught about propaganda in junior high,” and so we are not standing for the whole blame-the-queers narrative, thank you very much.

The Gays Can Dream 

If only, if only…

I Quit

I don’t know what else to say besides…same. SAME.

All Power to The People


In September 1970, a Gay Liberation Front member at New York University boldly stood for intersectional solidarity, holding a sign that declared: “GAY POWER – BLACK POWER – WOMEN POWER – STUDENT POWER – ALL POWER to the PEOPLE.” Captured by photographer Diana Davies, this image reflects a transformative moment in history when marginalized groups united to demand justice. Shared in the wake of Trump’s inauguration, it resonates as a call to action, reminding us that the fight for equality is interconnected and ongoing.

Double Down, Triple Down, Quadruple Down

Our friend, nonbinary model and activist, Rain Dove, bravely went to a Trump rally to see how his supporters would react. They went with an open mind and wrote a nuanced and refreshingly honest piece. Now, they are fed up with the community they gave a chance to. “I am far more afraid to go back than I am to go forward. We will not cease to exist. We will not cease to resist. Our language is not and almost never has been the ‘language of the law’. The last gasp of the brutal billionaire bully bashers is rattling and rasping. Hold tight… the next four years for the USA will be a reckoning. But it can also be a RECOGNIZING.” Hell yes, Rain.

Find The Note

It’s not a round up of gay reactions until there is a Drag Race reference. And this one is my favorite. I’m not saying Carrie Underwood’s flatness was karma for her performing at the inauguration, but… let’s just say Pink wasn’t flat at the 2024 Democratic Convention.

GLAD Law Responds 

On Monday, President Trump doubled down on his intention to roll back protections for transgender Americans through executive order.  Ricardo Martinez, Executive Director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), made the following statement: 

“Today’s promised executive order is a direct attack on transgender Americans, deliberately making it harder for people to live their everyday lives. It is cruel, and it is wrong.  

“The administration is trying to create fear and sow chaos by its statements and orders, but no executive action can change the fundamental truth that transgender people are vital members of our families and communities. Like all people, transgender people deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to live without fear of government-sanctioned harm. 

“A president’s powers are not unlimited – the Constitution, federal courts and our democratic system serve as a bulwark against government overreach. The implementation of today’s order and others that may follow, cannot happen overnight. 

“GLAD Law will use every tool we have to fight for LGBTQ+ people’s rights and for fairness and dignity. We will defend the fundamental principle that equal protection under the law is guaranteed – without exception.”

Lesbian Musicians Please Save Us 

Can you blame us for looking for a savior? Too bad Clairo says Trump is too ugly for her to save us from.

Our Queen Cynthia Erivo

GLAAD posted this video of real-life-angel Cynthia Erivo reminding us that “your queerness is beautiful.” They also released an official statement: “LGBTQ people are in all states, communities, families and workplaces, and leaders should include and protect us with the fundamental freedoms all Americans enjoy. On the day of the inauguration – which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a celebration of one of our country’s most relentless civil rights heroes – we seek comfort in the long history of the fight for liberty and justice in America. We urge every reporter and all Americans to elevate everyone’s right to be themselves and be safe. Together we must hold the incoming administration to the promise of equal justice under law, and resist threats to our basic American right to live freely and with dignity.”

Now is also a good time to mention this amazing analysis of Wicked and how its about fascism and the way we respond to it.

Piping Hot Tea 

Queer activist @mattxiv reminds us that not only is Trump’s insistence on there being only two genders hateful, it’s a waste of time and intentional distraction. Commenters are also having a field day with their own takes on his “male and female” executive orders. @_dreaming.days commented “Nobody thinks more about people’s genitals than transphobes.” And THAT’S the tea. 

Kamala Gives Us Hope 

If you need to regain sanity and serenity, listening to Kamala Harris make this moving speech is a good place to start.

We persist. We resist. And we keep going (and making ridiculous content).

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

4 events,

8 events,

7 events,

Recurring

Femme House

10 events,

7 events,

THIQUE

7 events,

YUMMY! at The Bush

8 events,

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Queer Brown Babes