Resilience in the Face of Change: Seattle Pride’s Statement on the Presidential Inauguration

Yesterday marked the inauguration of a president who, as a day-one priority, launched attacks on our citizens, environment, and democracy. These include an executive order aimed at erasing the humanity of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people; the rescinding of protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; and the removal of LGBTQIA2S+ content from federal agency websites.

These actions are not merely political stances — they are direct assaults on the dignity, safety, and existence of countless members of our community. They deny an irrevocable truth:  Transgender, intersex, nonbinary, and queer people have always and will always exist. 

Let us be clear: We are here. We are many. And we will not be erased.

At Seattle Pride, we are grounded in a history of resistance forged by those who came before us. From the uprisings at Stonewall, led by Black and Brown trans women who refused to be silenced, to Seattle’s first Gay Pride Week in 1974, where organizers gathered to proudly celebrate their right to exist — fully and unapologetically — in public, our resilience is our legacy and lifeline. That spirit endures in every one of us who continues to fight for the right to live authentically, to thrive, and to love without erasure or persecution.

This moment calls for not just resilience; it demands resistance. Resistance is rooted in love, courage, and an unwavering belief that the world can and must be better. While policies like these seek to divide us, our community has never been stronger than when we stand together, lifting up those most impacted by these attacks.

For those who feel the weight of these times, we see you. For those who feel exhausted, fearful, or invisible, you are not alone. You are loved, and you are vital to this movement. Our InQueery Guide is here to connect you to necessary networks for support, healthcare, and activism. Whether you need someone to lean on or a way to take action, we’ve got you. 

Seattle Pride will continue to create spaces where our community can gather, connect, heal, and celebrate. Together, we will speak out, stand firm, and honor those who paved the way–to continue their legacy of love and liberation. 

The road ahead may be uncertain, but we walk it together. Our voices are powerful, our stories unstoppable, and our joy — revolutionary.

With love and pride,

Seattle Pride