Let’s get real about the shitstorm we’ve been watching unfold over the last four years when it comes to hate crimes against us LGBTQIA+ folks in the U.S. It’s ugly, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s dangerous. And now, with Trump’s 2025 administration creeping closer like a bad horror sequel nobody asked for, the stakes are higher than ever.

This isn’t just about politics or policy—it’s about people’s lives. People who are just trying to live authentically are facing escalating violence, bigotry, and fear because some assholes can’t handle someone else’s truth. So, let’s break this shit down, talk about what’s been happening, and why this trend is so damn alarming.

Hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ individuals have been climbing faster than rent prices in a gentrified neighborhood. According to the FBI’s hate crime statistics, there’s been a steady increase in reported crimes targeting queer and trans folks since at least 2019. And let’s be honest—the real numbers are probably way higher because so many incidents go unreported. People either don’t trust the cops, or they’re too scared to speak up. Can you blame them?

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) reports that 2021 was the deadliest year on record for transgender and gender non-conforming people, with at least 50 murders reported. Most of the victims were Black and brown trans women. 2022 and 2023 didn’t get any better. The violence isn’t just physical either. It’s emotional, social, and systemic. It’s laws, policies, and rhetoric that dehumanize queer people, giving bigots a green light to act on their hatred.

Now, let’s talk about how Trump’s presidency—and the culture it fostered—has poured gasoline on this dumpster fire. From 2016 to 2020, we saw the normalization of hate-filled rhetoric. Trump himself may not have been running around committing hate crimes (though his policies sure as hell targeted marginalized communities), but his words and actions emboldened the worst elements of society.

When you’ve got a president who bans transgender people from serving in the military and consistently rolls back protections for LGBTQIA+ folks, it sends a clear message: these lives don’t matter. That message trickles down, empowering bigots to act out their hatred. We’re talking everything from playground bullying to outright violence.

And let’s not forget the Supreme Court. Trump’s appointments tipped the balance in favor of ultra-conservative justices who are chomping at the bit to roll back LGBTQIA+ rights. Remember when they gutted Roe v. Wade? Yeah, Justice Clarence Thomas practically wrote a roadmap for coming after marriage equality next.

The rise in hate crimes isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger culture war that’s been ramping up over the past few years. Across the country, we’ve seen a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation targeting everything from drag shows to trans kids’ access to healthcare. In 2023 alone, over 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced in state legislatures. Many of these bills focus on restricting gender-affirming care, banning trans athletes, and criminalizing public expression like drag performances. It’s hateful, it’s calculated, and it’s deadly.

When lawmakers legislate bigotry, it legitimizes hate. It’s like giving every homophobe and transphobe out there a pat on the back and a “go get ‘em”. These laws don’t just hurt people in practical terms—like denying healthcare or banning books that tell queer stories—they also contribute to a culture where violence feels justified.

We can’t talk about this shitstorm without dragging right-wing media into it. Outlets like Fox News, Newsmax, and their ilk have been fear-mongering about LGBTQIA+ people for years. They’ve pushed bullshit narratives about "groomers" and "gender ideology" that stoke fear and hatred. It’s not just irresponsible; it’s downright dangerous.

These talking points don’t stay on cable TV. They trickle into online spaces, radicalizing people who are already teetering on the edge of extremism. Just look at the spike in threats against drag shows and Pride events. Right-wing media fans the flames, and suddenly you’ve got armed protesters showing up to intimidate people just trying to celebrate who they are.

The impact of all this shit is devastating. People are scared to leave their homes, scared to exist openly. Parents of trans kids are fleeing hostile states, uprooting their lives just to keep their families safe. Queer youth are dealing with skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. According to The Trevor Project, more than half of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide in 2022. Let that sink in. Half.

And let’s not overlook the intersectional nature of this violence. Black and brown LGBTQIA+ folks are hit hardest by these rising hate crimes. Racism and queerphobia create a deadly combo that makes life even more dangerous for those at the intersection of these identities.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Trump 2025. If the guy manages to weasel his way back into the White House, things are going to get a hell of a lot worse. His previous administration laid the groundwork for the rise in hate crimes and bigotry we’re seeing now. A second term would give him the chance to double down on anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and stack the courts even further.

We’re already seeing the effects of his influence on the Republican Party. Candidates are running on platforms that openly target LGBTQIA+ people, using them as scapegoats for society’s problems. If Trump comes back, expect more of the same—only worse.

So, what the fuck do we do about it? First, we need to call this shit out. Silence equals complicity, and we can’t afford to sit back while people’s lives are at stake. Support organizations like The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign, and Lambda Legal. These groups are fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights and providing support to those who need it most.

Second, vote. Yeah, it’s a broken system in a lot of ways, but it’s one of the tools we have. Show up for local elections, state elections, and federal elections. Get these hateful assholes out of office and replace them with leaders who value human rights.

Third, allyship isn’t just about waving a rainbow flag during Pride Month. It’s about showing up, speaking out, and putting your money where your mouth is. Protect queer spaces. Stand up to bigotry when you see it. Make it clear that hate has no fucking place in your community.

The rise in hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people over the last four years is a national crisis. It’s fueled by political rhetoric, legislative attacks, and a culture that dehumanizes queer lives. With Trump’s potential return to power, the fight for equality and safety is more urgent than ever.

But here’s the thing: queer people have always been resilient as hell. They’ve faced hatred and violence before and have still found ways to thrive, to love, to create, and to exist authentically. They’re not going anywhere, and neither are the allies standing by their side.

So, let’s keep fighting. Let’s keep calling out the bullshit, amplifying queer voices, and building a world where everyone can live without fear. Because fuck hate. Love wins.