My personal experience with the American migration system is quite peculiar.

I left Russia, where I was a refugee, in 2018 after I had a serious problem with immigration authorities because of my LGBT activism. I left Russia for Israel because the tourist agency told me that Tel Aviv is the best place for me to get an American visa. My wife and I had an invitation to speak at an American disability rights conference about intersectionality, but we were secretly planning to ask for asylum in the U.S.

The U.S. denied our request for American visas. This led to a situation when we were stuck in Israel without our belongings, money, any right to work, or a proper status. Finally, four months later we had to move to the UK to ask for asylum. I’ve never had a chance to come to the U.S.

I have dreamed of living in the U.S since elementary school, but now I’m extremely glad that I’m not there.

I have been a queer refugee in three different countries, including the UK, where I’m living right now. So anti-immigration steps taken by the Trump administration have felt very disturbing and personal to me; not just because the U.S. is de facto the country of immigrants that became great because of them, but also because of the potential influence that the U.S.’s anti-immigration politics could have on the UK and Europe.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is taking the lead in a recent British voting intention poll, and one of the reasons is the outstanding support that billionaire Elon Musk shows to the party. Despite the fact that Musk has quite a complicated relationship with Farage, financial and propaganda support from Musk is able to change the British political climate.

Ordinary British people I have met and political analysts are asking themself whether it possible that MAGA is spreading anti-immigration and aggressive ideas to the UK, and if so, what it would mean for the UK sovereignty.

Reform party supporters were involved in anti-immigration pogroms that were happening in the UK in August 2024 and is also known for their anti-LGBT and especially anti-transgender policies.

Farage in June 2024 released a pre-election party manifesto in which he pledged to “ban transgender ideology” in schools, including stopping social transitioning for trans youth, insisting that “transgender indoctrination is causing irreversible harm to children.” Ageism and xenophobia are once again walking hand in hand with anti-LGBT policies.

Reform UK also promised to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and replace the Equality Act 2010, and those steps would definitely harm LGBT communities.

So, under the Reform Party, the ones who live at the intersection — LGBT refugees, like me, and LGBT asylum seekers — will be in particular danger, not just in Britain, but also in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The far-right is gaining more and more power in the UK.

Thousands gathered in Central London on Feb. 1 to support British far-right influencer Tommy Robinson, who the British government has jailed. Robinson is also famous for his anti-immigration campaigns and transphobia and also gets political and financial support from Musk.

Some people in the demonstration were wearing “Make England Great Again” caps, an obvious reference to MAGA.

I, on the other hand, never in my life felt safe on a street before I came to the UK. It doesn’t matter who was in power — Labour or the Tories — in the country. I have never faced even one percent of the discrimination I experienced in Russia and Ukraine as an autistic person. When I came to the UK, it felt like time traveling to the future where diversity is accepted and celebrated. I can hardly imagine that if Reform comes to power, British society will suddenly change their attitude toward LGBT refugees. The law could become worse, but the ideas of universal human rights in the UK are too strong to be messed up so easily. At least I hope so.

Now LGBT rights activists in the UK are even thinking about welcoming trans* asylum seekers from the U.S. and helping them to get status and support in the UK. I spoke about this during a break with representatives of the Rainbow Migration group in London, soon after Donald Trump signed his transphobic executive orders.

Because American trans* people who work in the military and government are losing their jobs while the UK has the NHS — a free medical healthcare system for everyone, including tourists and asylum seekers, free medical prescriptions for the poor — and a lot of social support like free housing for asylum seekers, free solicitors, strong community support provided by charities, and so on, it is possible that some trans* people would now become refugees here.

The UK and European countries are, of course, not the most obvious choice, according to PinkNews. Some LGBT Americans are considering a more geographically close destination, such as Canada, as their possible destination.

I think it could sound surprising for some Americans, but most of the European Union countries are much less friendly toward refugees than the UK.

Musk’s attempts’ to promote MEGA, Make Europe Great Again, has even more chances to succeed in Germany, especially considering the level of support he shows to the Alternative to Germany party. AfD is also known for its support of Russia, which is using openly homophobic and transphobic rhetoric in justification of their war in Ukraine. Russian state propaganda says it is acceptable to kill civilians to stop the spread of an extremist LGBT ideology. 

Musk’s ideas that Germans should stop condemning the Holocaust together with AfD sympathy for Russia is an extremely dangerous situation for LGBT refugees. Even straight refugees in conservative-dominated Bavaria are wary of mentioning their support of LGBT people to local authorities.

All authoritarian regimes began their persecution by targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized people before they move to restrict freedoms for the entire population.

I learned about liberty, individual rights, dignity, and diversity as a child by watching American movies, but these values are now under threat in the U.S. And the American government is beginning to spread a completely opposite idea that is threatening universal human rights in Europe and beyond. It is now possible to stop the process, but it soon may become too late. I’m not so scared of Trump’s actions, but I am scared that not enough efforts have been made to oppose them in the U.S. and beyond.

Editor’s note: The author uses trans* in order to be inclusive of nonbinary and gender queer people.

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 — most recently banning trans women and girls from participating in women’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 Court’s landmark ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020). Rolling back those precedents and restricting transgender people’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 “restoring biological truth.”

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 — both in principle and in practice — 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 Uganda’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, “transgender” 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 doesn’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 — 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 — 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 “promotion” or “support” of what the Trump administration terms “gender ideology,” 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)’s community-led HIV prevention and treatment programs — 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. Uganda’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 Trump’s orders, a tense atmosphere has arisen — 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 Uganda’s strained public health system — particularly for those seeking HIV and mental health services. 

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 — 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 — values that should know no borders.

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

Are you excited about WorldPride DC? Really? Then you must know more — or much less — 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 Pride’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. 

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