Stonewall started it—but who writes the next chapter?

Fifty-four years ago, the Stonewall uprising ignited a movement that would change the course of history. When police raided that small West Village bar in 1969, they didn’t expect resistance—but resistance is precisely what they met.

LGBTQ people stood their ground and demanded their right to exist openly and defiantly. That night wasn’t just a protest against police brutality. It began a bold journey toward dignity, equality, and the right to live freely. Stonewall wasn’t just a flashpoint but a declaration that we would no longer be hidden or silenced.

That defiance became the bedrock of our movement.

We fought back through the AIDS crisis, held each other up through unimaginable loss, and demanded recognition as citizens of equal worth. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges, andmarriage equality became the law of the land, cementing our love as equal under the law. It was a moment that showcased decades of sacrifice and courage—a milestone in a long, hard-won journey.

But progress has continuously stirred backlash, and our journey has been anything but linear. In 2016, the Pulse nightclub shooting tragically reminded us of the hatred that still lurks in the corners of our society. 49 lives were stolen in a place that was meant to be a refuge. But in the wake of that tragedy, we stood together, refusing to let hate define us. Through grief, we found resilience; through pain, we found resolve.

Today, however, our movement faces one of its most formidable challenges. Donald Trump’s return to the presidency is not just a political shockwave—it is a direct threat to LGBTQ rights, one bolstered by Project 2025, a far-reaching agenda with chilling goals. This moment isn’t simply about policy changes or legal setbacks; it’s about confronting a vision for America that dismisses LGBTQ identities as incompatible with its narrow definition of the “traditional family.” Project 2025 proposes to dismantle decades of progress, falsely claiming that “only heterosexual, two-parent families” provide a stable foundation for children. Its goal is to erase the protections, rights, and visibility that generations of LGBTQ people have fought to establish.

But we know the truth.

LGBTQ people have always been here—contributing to our communities, caring for our loved ones, and building families that enrich the American fabric. We are part of this country’s heart and soul, integral to its melting pot, and we have never needed permission to create love, safety, and stability for ourselves and those we cherish. Just as we did at Stonewall, we will defend our right to belong in every corner of this nation.

Despite our threats, our movement is growing stronger by the day.

This past election cycle was a testament to our resilience. Every LGBTQ+ incumbent in Congress was re-elected, including Senator Tammy Baldwin, who triumphed in a bitter race filled with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. We made history by electing Sarah McBride as the first openly transgender person in Congress, Emily Randall as the first openly LGBTQ leader from Washington State, and Julie Johnson as the first openly LGBTQ representative from the South. In contrast, others like Aime Wichtendahl broke barriers as Iowa’s first openly transgender state legislator.

These victories are not isolated. They reflect a growing recognition of our voices. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Americans will soon be sworn into office at state and local levels, advancing equality from the ground up. These victories are only possible because of the tireless work of our community and the support of organizations like the LGBTQ Victory Fund - the only national organization devoted to electing pro-equality, pro-choice LGBTQ leaders to public office at every level - which raised over $1.4 million to back these candidates.

So, what can we do now? Standing together is essential, but it’s not enough. We need action, which starts with our voices at the ballot box. We must hold accountable every politician who supports, even silently, the erosion of LGBTQ rights. We must mobilize our families, friends, and allies to elect leaders who see LGBTQ people not as a threat to the family but as part of it.

Voting isn’t merely a right; it’s a powerful act of resistance in this climate.

Our history has also shown us that the courts are vital in this fight. Today, we must double down on our support of organizations like Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and the Human Rights Campaign, whose attorneys stand ready to defend our rights against discriminatory policies. Their work requires resources—funds, volunteers, and public support. Together, we can ensure these groups have the strength to protect our community in every court.

Locally, we must push our cities, towns, and states to enact and uphold healthcare, housing, and education protections. When we build inclusive communities, we create sanctuaries of acceptance and resilience. And local victories become the foundation for broader change.

Finally, we must continue sharing our stories. Project 2025 and its proponents may try to erase us. Still, our lived experiences cut through their rhetoric of division and fear. By sharing our lives, love stories, and families, we remind the country of our humanity. Every time we make ourselves seen, we remind America that we are part of its story. Every space we occupy becomes an act of courage and defiance in person, online, in our workplaces, and in our neighborhoods.

The stakes are high, but we are no strangers to high-stakes battles. Our movement has been forged in fire and built on resilience. The LGBTQ fight for equality has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. We owe it to the people who rioted at Stonewall, to the lives lost at Pulse, and to every person who has fought, loved, and sacrificed for our right to exist.

And we owe it to ourselves to keep going. This is not the end of our story—it’s another chapter. Let it be one of resilience, solidarity, and unbreakable courage. We have faced hate before, and we have risen above it. In this fight, we will not merely survive. We will thrive, build, and continue to write a future that welcomes us all.

Alex Gabriel is a political strategist and entrepreneur who was the senior advisor of LGBTQ+ and Youth Voter Engagement for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and co-chaired the Out for Biden coalition.