Among the various new laws and policies introduced in 2025, many are against the LGBTQ+ community. As of June 18, 2025, the Supreme Court has ruled that in Tennessee, health care would be refused to transgender children. This means that other states can also pass similar laws.
Vice Principal Sharon Freeman emphasized that the queer community will be affected.
“I definitely have friends that it is front of mind for them because they’re worried about it, especially if they don’t live in the state of California. They are worried about the right, their right to still be considered married to their partner, or being able to have their child or themselves be able to get health care,” Freeman said.
According to Freeman, many members of the LGBTQ+ community are concerned about potential restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare services.
“I think that a healthy person inside and out is the best kind of person to support the community around them,” Freeman said. “If you are not healthy – whether that be physically healthy – or if you’re not mentally supported, how are you supposed to contribute and be connected to your community?”
Agreeing with Freeman, president of the LGBTQ+ Club junior Eleanor Kisely is fearful of the changes in the policies directed to only a specific group of individuals.
“I’m scared, honestly, because I don’t want to lose health care for the way that I identify,” Kisely said. “I know a lot of people who rely on gender-affirming services and stuff like that, and it would be horrible if they didn’t have access to that anymore.”
According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, 122 anti-LBGTQ+ bills were passed in 2025, compared to 51 bills in 2024. Member of the LGBTQ+ club junior Samuel Eveleth spoke out against the government’s tactics.
“I think targeting a specific identity is just stupid. I think that the laws should exist for everyone, not just a specific group of people, because we are all people at the end of the day,” Eveleth said.
Furthermore, Kisely believes there may be unforeseen consequences if the queer community continues to be silenced.
“I know it’s extreme, but data has shown time and time again that as they continue to oppress queer people, suicide rates increase,” said Kisely. “From the numerous bills, one included removing stories related to LGBTQ + students from public and school libraries. Additionally, the bill aims to erase the queer community from the school curriculum.”
Freshman Cassendra Myers, who identifies as bisexual and gender fluid, expressed concern about the impact of stigma on LGBTQ+ youth.
“Kids who are gay are gonna either not figure out there is a place for them, or just really shut down about how they present because it’s been made such a taboo that they don’t want to come out anymore no one will,” Myers said.
Kisley believes LGBTQ+ stories should be celebrated not shunned in order to educate people about the queer community.
“I think that queer history and culture should be shared. I know that recently a lot of articles about Stonewall have been removing some of their information, and I think that’s horrible because we can’t just erase history,” Kisley said. “It’s important, and queer people have had a very important impact on a lot of historical events.”
With changes occurring across the country Freeman stressed the importance of safe, supportive school environments.
“Students are on campus six to eight hours a day or more, depending if they’re doing after school activities. They need to be able to feel safe and feel heard on campus, (no matter the) community they’re in and connected to,” Freeman said.
Although bills targeting certain groups are rising, students can be open to understanding different viewpoints.
“You might not agree with someone’s lifestyle, or you may not agree with how someone came to this country, or whatever it might be, but can you understand it, and you can be open-minded,” Freeman said.