Fighting Back Against Threats to LGBTQ+ History and Representation
In a poignant OpEd, Dr. Bernard Schlager from the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies at Pacific School of Religion highlights alarming recent exhibitions of erasure against LGBTQ+ identities, focusing specifically on transgender individuals. Two key events serve as critical indicators of the ongoing battle for visibility and acceptance within society.
On February 14, 2025, NPR reported that the National Park Service removed crucial references to transgender individuals, including the very 'T' in LGBTQ+, along with the term 'queer' from the official website for the Stonewall National Monument. This site is not just an iconic landmark; it commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a paramount uprising led by pioneering trans women of color, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. By sanitizing the history surrounding this monumental uprising, the federal government attempts to distort an essential narrative, thereby negating the significant contributions these individuals made to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Soon after, another concerning incident was reported. The Kennedy Center decided to cancel a scheduled performance by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., which was part of the larger celebrations for WorldPride 2025. This cancellation occurred shortly after President Trump's newly appointed board took control of the Kennedy Center, showcasing an intentional silencing of LGBTQ+ voices. Such actions do not stem from random decisions but indicate a dangerous trend of suppressing LGBTQ+ visibility.
This pattern of erasure resonates deeply with historical precedents. As journalist M. Gessen warns, authoritarian governments often employ tactics to test the resilience and acceptance of their policies. They initiate extreme measures that subsequently normalize ideas which were once considered abhorrent to society. Reflecting on history, a stark parallel can be drawn to President Eisenhower's Executive Order 10450 in 1957, which banned LGBTQ+ individuals from federal employment under the guise of national security concerns. One of the critical figures opposing this policy was Frank Kameny, a government astronomer who was outed and subsequently fired for his sexual orientation. Kameny's refusal to stay silent sparked the flame of the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The forces aiming to erase LGBTQ+ identities and history persist in their attempts to force community members back into the shadows. It is crucial for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to rise up in defiance against these calculated attempts to belittle the community’s history and contributions. The recent removals of queer and trans identities from significant spaces and the cancellation of their voices are not merely administrative actions; they are determined efforts that seek to undermine the hard-won progress of the past.
As LGBTQ+ individuals and activists, it is crucial to take a stand against these assaults on dignity and identity. We must recognize and vocalize the importance of our narratives while ensuring that they cannot be erased from history. In the face of these challenges, our history cannot be rewritten, and our voices will persist in echoing across the corridors of power. The fight against erasure is ongoing, but we will continue to declare, 'We will not be erased.' Our history is one of resistance, perseverance, and ultimately triumph.
About Pacific School of Religion: Founded in 1866, the Pacific School of Religion is renowned for its progressive Christian curriculum and leadership development initiatives. It serves as a hub for diverse educational experiences designed to empower individuals and communities alike. To explore more about PSR’s offerings, visit psr.edu.
On February 14, 2025, NPR reported that the National Park Service removed crucial references to transgender individuals, including the very 'T' in LGBTQ+, along with the term 'queer' from the official website for the Stonewall National Monument. This site is not just an iconic landmark; it commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a paramount uprising led by pioneering trans women of color, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. By sanitizing the history surrounding this monumental uprising, the federal government attempts to distort an essential narrative, thereby negating the significant contributions these individuals made to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Soon after, another concerning incident was reported. The Kennedy Center decided to cancel a scheduled performance by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., which was part of the larger celebrations for WorldPride 2025. This cancellation occurred shortly after President Trump's newly appointed board took control of the Kennedy Center, showcasing an intentional silencing of LGBTQ+ voices. Such actions do not stem from random decisions but indicate a dangerous trend of suppressing LGBTQ+ visibility.
This pattern of erasure resonates deeply with historical precedents. As journalist M. Gessen warns, authoritarian governments often employ tactics to test the resilience and acceptance of their policies. They initiate extreme measures that subsequently normalize ideas which were once considered abhorrent to society. Reflecting on history, a stark parallel can be drawn to President Eisenhower's Executive Order 10450 in 1957, which banned LGBTQ+ individuals from federal employment under the guise of national security concerns. One of the critical figures opposing this policy was Frank Kameny, a government astronomer who was outed and subsequently fired for his sexual orientation. Kameny's refusal to stay silent sparked the flame of the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The forces aiming to erase LGBTQ+ identities and history persist in their attempts to force community members back into the shadows. It is crucial for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to rise up in defiance against these calculated attempts to belittle the community’s history and contributions. The recent removals of queer and trans identities from significant spaces and the cancellation of their voices are not merely administrative actions; they are determined efforts that seek to undermine the hard-won progress of the past.
As LGBTQ+ individuals and activists, it is crucial to take a stand against these assaults on dignity and identity. We must recognize and vocalize the importance of our narratives while ensuring that they cannot be erased from history. In the face of these challenges, our history cannot be rewritten, and our voices will persist in echoing across the corridors of power. The fight against erasure is ongoing, but we will continue to declare, 'We will not be erased.' Our history is one of resistance, perseverance, and ultimately triumph.
About Pacific School of Religion: Founded in 1866, the Pacific School of Religion is renowned for its progressive Christian curriculum and leadership development initiatives. It serves as a hub for diverse educational experiences designed to empower individuals and communities alike. To explore more about PSR’s offerings, visit psr.edu.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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