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Trump is scum who undercut foreign policy, committed bribery

He deserves to be impeached and removed from office

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Donald Trump, gay news, Washington Blade
President Donald Trump (Photo by JCTABB via Bigstock)

This week, the impeachment process in Congress goes public. A number of those who have already testified to Trumpā€™s attempt to bribe/blackmail the Ukrainians for his own personal benefit will now testify in front of the American people.

According to Reuters they include ā€œthe top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, William Taylor, who is considered a critical witness to the case against Trump. Taylor was upset to find out that security aid to Ukraine, as well as a White House meeting between Trump and Zelensky, had been delayed for political reasons. Another senior U.S. diplomat, George Kent, will appear with Taylor at Wednesdayā€™s hearing. Kent said in closed-door testimony that he had been alarmed by efforts by Giuliani and others to pressure Ukraine to accede to Trumpā€™s demands.ā€

Also ā€œFormer U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will testify on Friday. She says she was ousted from her post after she came under attack by Giuliani. She says Giulianiā€™s associates ā€œmay well have believed that their personal financial ambitions were stymied by our anti-corruption policy in Ukraine.ā€

Each of these individuals will have an impact on the public. It will also be important to see and hear from Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman who actually listened in on the call. According to VOA news ā€œNow 44, Vindman and his twin brother, Yevgeny, were 3-years-old when they and their family fled Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, for the United States. His brother is also an Army lieutenant colonel and a lawyer handling ethics issues for the National Security Council.ā€ It will be difficult for even the most disgusting of Republican members of Congress, and there are many claiming that title, to attack a veteran who has a Purple Heart and walks around with shrapnel in his body from defending our country.

Aside from hearing from these witnesses it will be crucial for Democrats when talking about what Trump did to merit impeachment to speak to the American people in simple and clear language. Something like ā€œTrump, the scumbag who undercut our foreign policy and committed bribery.ā€ Now I am not suggesting members of Congress actually use the word scumbag however accurate that is, but they need to stop using Latin phrases like quid pro quo, which need to be explained because now even Republicans agree that happened. They have moved from denying it to saying everyone does it.

Rand Paul, one sleazy senator from Kentucky, the other being ā€˜Moscow Mitch,ā€™ was on ā€œMeet the Pressā€ saying what Joe Biden did as vice president when he told Ukraine they had to fire their prosecutor was the same thing as what Trump did. Unfortunately for Paul and Republicans the truth about what Biden did was to act on American foreign policy supported by all of our European allies and the International Monetary Fund. Trump on the other hand simply decided to try to bribe the Ukrainians to help him smear a political opponent. These things are very different and easy to understand.

Then there is Trumpā€™s former lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, another of the sleazy players around Trump, who worked at Trumpā€™s behest to undercut what has been American foreign policy toward Ukraine carried out by the State Department and our ambassadors. As Giulianiā€™s associates begin to speak out we will get an even clearer picture of how far Trump was willing to go to subjugate American foreign policy for his own personal gain.

All of this wonā€™t be easy as Republicans are intent on turning the hearings into a circus. I am sure we will count in the dozens, maybe hundreds, the number of times they mention the names Biden and Clinton in their effort to confuse the public as to what these hearings are about. Democrats will have to constantly remind the public this hearing is about a sitting president not private citizens.

In my view, Trump will be impeached by the House of Representatives. The articles of impeachment they vote on will have to be simple and clear to anyone who hasnā€™t made up their minds to oppose them without even listening to the evidence. Unfortunately that will be just about every Republican in the Congress. They are all afraid of Trump and because of that seem more than willing to see him trample the Constitution. But be that as it may it is important for Democrats and any decent Republican to do the right thing and vote for articles of impeachment even if Trump is eventually acquitted in a Senate trial. History will judge them for what they do.

Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

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Trumpā€™s return threatens Ugandaā€™s gender equality and trans community

US has played pivotal role in supporting LGBTQ rights around the world

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President Donald Trump (Photo via White House/X)

The last few weeks have seen a dramatic shift in the global landscape ever since Donald Trump returned to the presidency of the United States in January 2025. In just his first few weeks in office, he has rolled out a flurry of executive orders that radically reshape trans rights ā€” most recently banning trans women and girls from participating in womenā€™s sports at federally funded schools. This move, a focal point of his 2024 campaign, accompanies another sweeping directive redefining sex as strictly male or female at birth, effectively denying the legal reality of transgender and nonbinary identities.

This represents a stark departure from recent U.S. policy, which had recognized gender identity as a protected category under federal law, following the Supreme Courtā€™s landmark ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020). Rolling back those precedents and restricting transgender peopleā€™s rights across education, housing, healthcare, federal employment, and more, means that the new administration has signaled that it is willing to reverse hard-fought civil rights gains in the name of ā€œrestoring biological truth.ā€

Historically, the United States has played a pivotal role in supporting LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. Over the past decades, U.S. foreign policy, funding initiatives, and diplomatic interventions have often helped protect marginalized groups abroad from violence, discrimination, and stigma. Ugandan civil society organizations, especially those advocating for LGBTQ+ communities, have relied on U.S. backing ā€” both in principle and in practice ā€” by receiving grants, legal support, or endorsements from U.S. diplomatic missions. This assistance has been critical in a country where key population communities, particularly transgender individuals, face rampant societal backlash. Moreover, the recent passage of Ugandaā€™s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) has entrenched an increasingly restrictive and repressive legal framework, fueling widespread societal stigma and discrimination that has intensified at home and is echoed in other parts of the continent.

In Uganda, ā€œtransgenderā€ itself is not legally recognized; most identity documents still list only male or female, without mechanisms to update the markers for those who have transitioned or identify outside binary classifications. This makes everyday life a constant struggle, with people facing suspicion or ridicule whenever their physical appearance doesnā€™t match the gender on their ID.

For transgender Ugandans, accessing healthcare is fraught with challenges. While recent years have seen small pockets of progress ā€” such as a Key Populations desk led by the Ministry of Health and the Uganda AIDS Commission in partnership with various development agencies, as well as a few clinics offering trans-friendly services and modest recognition of transgender-specific needs ā€” these efforts remain precarious and at risk of faltering.

One reason is the chilling effect that new U.S. executive orders may have on international donor funding. If federal agencies are mandated to halt the ā€œpromotionā€ or ā€œsupportā€ of what the Trump administration terms ā€œgender ideology,ā€ projects focusing on transgender health, counseling, or HIV prevention may find themselves unable to secure necessary funds. 

Following a sudden directive from PEPFAR, all implementing partners must suspend their activities for 90 days while determining how to proceed under the new executive orders. This abrupt halt severely disrupts Tranz Network Uganda (TNU)ā€™s community-led HIV prevention and treatment programs ā€” funded for essential interventions such as PrEP, ART initiation, HIV testing, health education, and the distribution of condoms and lubricants in trans community hotspots. As a direct result, 52 trans persons on ART now face treatment interruptions, two hundred will lose access to critical prevention kits and lubricants, and health talks planned for one hundred community members are on hold. Beyond these immediate setbacks, the directive endangers broader HIV response gains and disproportionately impacts a population already at high risk and facing systematic marginalization.

For a population that already struggles to access basic care, any interruption or shortfall in medical supplies or specialized training will have dire consequences. Ugandaā€™s trans community also depends on the moral and political support once offered by international partners. If the U.S. signals it no longer treats trans rights as human rights, local leaders who are already hostile to trans people could become more emboldened to adopt harsher measures. That could mean further restrictions on transgender-friendly healthcare, more aggressive policing, and the closure of community centers.

The precarious situation is compounded by existing human rights violations targeting sexual and gender minorities such as the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Transgender Ugandans often face physical violence, arbitrary arrests, and public outing, leading to loss of jobs, denial of housing, and ostracization from families. 

In the past, when local advocates or victims have sought help from foreign embassies or humanitarian agencies, they often turned to offices backed by U.S. funding or support. Now, in the wake of Trumpā€™s orders, a tense atmosphere has arisen ā€” again. Civil society groups are questioning whether they should tailor their programs more conservatively to avoid losing grants. Community leaders warn that a chain reaction could follow: When the U.S. steps away from acknowledging gender identity, local officials who are unsympathetic to transgender individuals see a green light to intensify crackdown efforts.

We must urge the U.S. government to reconsider these orders. At stake are the lives and well-being of people whose dignity and identity are summarily dismissed by a return to rigid definitions of sex and gender. Failing to uphold transgender rights and cutting off resources to supportive programs can worsen Ugandaā€™s strained public health system ā€” particularly for those seeking HIV and mental health services.Ā 

The United States should revisit its role as a leader in upholding the principles of equality and nondiscrimination, principles that once were hallmarks of its global engagement. Local communities and advocacy groups also need continued support and engagement from both governmental and non-governmental U.S. entities, which can influence policy through targeted funding, diplomacy, and public statements affirming that trans rights are human rights.

Moving forward, the administration in Washington should consider preserving or at least carving out exemptions for essential health, legal, and community-building services. If fully reversing these executive orders is politically difficult, then agencies should consult with experts, activists, and members of the transgender community themselves to mitigate harm and ensure that humanitarian needs are not overshadowed by ideological directives. 

Uganda is also party to various regional and international human rights treaties that obligate it to uphold non-discrimination. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health released a press statement mandating that health services be accessible to all without discrimination ā€” a pledge that stands in stark contrast to the current environment following the passage of the AHA. Government officials would do well to honor these commitments by reassuring the local transgender population that essential healthcare remains accessible, and by addressing the urgent need for legal identity mechanisms. Ultimately, dismantling the fragile network of trans-focused support not only imperils those on the margins but also undermines global progress toward fundamental human rights, equality, and compassion ā€” values that should know no borders.

Williams Apako is the executive officer of the Tranz Network Uganda and a board member of the Global Fundā€™s Uganda Country Coordinating Mechanism.

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Iā€™m nervous about D.C.ā€™s ability to stage WorldPride

Capital Prideā€™s reluctance to share information raises concerns

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(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Are you excited about WorldPride DC? Really? Then you must know more ā€” or much less ā€” than I do. 

As displayed on the WorldPride DC website, festivities begin a little more than three months from now. Click on the “Events” tab and that page lists multiple events, with several of them including information such as the venue and/or a vague synopsis of what will happen. 

Who will perform? There is Shakira, whose current world tour was originally going to bring her to D.C. last November, but that was cancelled and her new date is now designated as the Welcome Ceremony for WorldPride DC. I commend her for being an ally to the LGBTQ community, but I’m curious what modifications will be made to her tour set list and if any LGBTQ people will be on stage. Who else will perform during the (recently moved up to) May 17 to June 8 dates? Capital Pride Alliance announced a call for performers on Jan 13.

To be clear, that announcement was made on Jan. 13 of THIS year, slightly four months ahead of festivities beginning. I share that with astonishment. I state everything above and below with varying degrees of annoyance, consternation, frustration, and alarm. 

Back in 2021, CPA was eagerly competing to win its bid to host WorldPride 2025. All of the excitement led to the announcement, in November 2021, that it was going to Taiwan. However, in August 2022, it was announced that Taiwan and WorldPride consciously uncoupled, and, in November 2022, it was announced that the proposal of jilted runner-up D.C. had been accepted. 

Even with my low expectations, I did not think that timeline would lead to a purportedly international event happening in less than 20 weeks having merely one announced performer, events with TBA venues, and little happening that wouldn’t be unusual for a typical annual Capital Pride celebration. 

Perhaps I don’t know enough. Maybe this rollout is typical for festivals and other major events. What is the appropriate comparison? Is it Coachella or Comic-Con? Or is it Carnival or the Olympics? Maybe they are on track with what New York or Sydney did in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Maybe they are waiting, for some reason, to make announcements that may come too late to entice people to attend and participate in WorldPride DC. 

Or perhaps I know too much. I know who isn’t booked for WorldPride DC. I know what things could have happened. I know what I’ve heard in meetings and conversations, including Capital Prideā€™s reluctance to share substantial information or bring in outside experts. I know countless bits of miscellaneous information that cause me trepidation. I have had contact with numerous people, including performers, leaders of organizations, and subcommittee members, and not once has anyone said anything that assuaged my concerns.

Unlike the opening of D.C.’s new LGBTQ community center, WorldPride DC won’t be delayed and is definitely happening this year. What we don’t know is what exactly is happening. 

Presumably, Capital Pride had plans when the bid was made in 2021. But maybe they didn’t start planning until the announcement in ’22. Or perhaps they waited until some time in March 2023, after recovering from traveling to Australia for WorldPride.

When did bookings begin? Perhaps they started with A-list stars and are still working their way through the latter part of the alphabet. Who is likely not available are the activists in other countries who, in addition to planning for travel and lodging, have to contend with passports, visas, and other bureaucratic concerns. Not everyone has the luxury to be spontaneous. 

In my former role as Creative Director of Team Rayceen Productions, I was willing to be of service. TRP was ready to partner. We had ideas, but since Capital Pride didn’t express interest, I assumed they had big plans. 

Perhaps you know just enough: the infrequency of announcements; the lack of information; the late call for performers; the truncated Capital Pride Heroes nomination process. 

Ultimately, the fact that you know so little may be all you need to know. 


ZarĀ is theĀ monomynous founder and former Creative Director of Team Rayceen Productions.Ā ZarĀ led TRP for more than 10 years and has lived in the Capital region all of his life.Ā The impetus for his recent resignation and the indefinite hiatus of TRP is the new presidential administration.

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Week 3 of President Musk and President Felon

An evil SOB with no respect for the truth

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Elon Musk (Photo by shganti777/Bigstock)

We are seeing the hand of Elon Musk, yes, the same Musk who gives the Nazi salute, and tells the Germans to move on and forget about their Nazi past, in every area of our government. He claims to be proud of sleeping in the office President Felon has given him as part of his DOGE work, in the Eisenhower Federal Office Building, and is interfering in every agency, apparently at will. We were told a top Treasury official left the agency after Musk demanded access to the Social Security payment system. He and his lackeys, not government employees, now have access to that, and the entire Treasury Departmentā€™s payment system. Guess the Trump coup is nearly complete.

It is said Musk is behind all the confusing memos to federal employees about resigning, and taking private sector jobs. He is interfering in the FAA and now it is reported that he is behind telling FAA employees to retire. President Felon is not just silently going along with all this, he is enabling it. He is doing his own damage by threatening to fire any FBI employee who was involved, in any way, in the cases against him, or his friends. He is clearly creating havoc. His Secretary of Defense just removed NBC, NPR, New York Times, and Politico from offices ā€“ replacing them with Breitbart and One America News.

Trump took the occasion of the horrific plane crash over the Potomac, in which 67 perished, to make political hay and blame Obama, Biden, and DEI policies at the FAA. Trump slapped tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, and says those countries will pay. He lies! He says everyone will accept higher grocery, oil, and automobile, prices. Calling Trump a moron is polite, he is actually an evil SOB with no respect for the truth. 

He is targeting the transgender community in every area of their lives. From receiving appropriate healthcare, to trying to kick them out of the military, where they have served as patriots, with honor, defending our country. He is making them the focal point of his efforts to hurt the LGBTQ community because they are the easy target. If we donā€™t stand up for them, and stand with them, as members of the LGBTQ community, then we are next. Let us not be fooled by his naming a few gay and lesbian people to his administration. Let us not be fooled because he has the support of the clearly self-loathing Log Cabin Republicans, who support him for their jobs. Why is his gay Treasury Secretary not speaking up for the transgender community? Why is his lesbian spokesperson at the Department of State, not speaking up? We know itā€™s because they want their jobs, and that is likely the nicest thing I can say about their silence.

Then we have what we once called the free press. Why was it only Kaitlin Collins of CNN who questioned Trump on his outrageous remarks at the press conference after the crash over the Potomac? And where was the free press when Karoline Leavitt, his press secretary, used the terms transgenderism and woke, at her first press conference? Why didnā€™t they ask her what the term ā€œwokeā€ means to the Trump administration, what it means to President Felon, and acting President Musk? Why is the press not camped out at the door of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, asking them what they think of the Nazi sympathies of their fatherā€™s best friend Musk. Asking them if they vaccinated their children, and do they suggest other parents do the same? 

Do I sound angry? You bet I am. I am watching all this insanity as an openly gay, Jewish, man. I wrote in my recently published memoir, and actually thought, when I came out at the age ofĀ  34 in 1981, that it would all get easier for future generations. Now we are back to a time when young people could again be afraid to come out, because those they thought would speak out for them, are silent. Was I lying to them? We are again reminded of all those signs, SILENCE = DEATH, that were at the early LGBTQ marches. It is still true. The silence of so many who I know, who donā€™t like what is happening, is deafening. Is the Trevor Project slogan, ā€œIt Gets Better,ā€ a lie?Ā 

We can still overcome. We must all speak out and not go quietly into the night. If we speak out, defend ourselves, our neighbors, our families, we will save our democracy. 


Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist.

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