Donald Trump's Win Has Made Me Fear Losing My Rights As A Gay Man

I am truly scared to be gay in this country.

That's something I never imagined feeling since coming out a little over two years ago. But last night's turn of events have left me feeling vulnerable, exposed and frankly, really fucking nervous.

Following the conclusion to Tuesday night's election, our country has ultimately decided to place a sexist, racist Dorito into office with an even more deranged, prejudiced excuse for a man by his side, and we can't do anything about it.

Donald Trump and Mike Pence's entire campaign has been plagued by derogatory remarks that offended women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, yet they still managed to secure their place in the White House.

What does that say about politics? What does that say about the people who live in this country? Who knows.

But the big question now is: What does this mean for us?

First and foremost, despite the overwhelming amount of love that poured through the streets of several cities just last year when the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage, the concept of marriage equality for couples outside the male/female norm may be completely squashed.

Trump openly spoke out against the ruling, with his running mate expressing the same feeling on his website during the 2000 campaign.

Pence said, "Congress should oppose any effort to put gay and lesbian relationships on an equal legal status with heterosexual marriage."

To make matters worse, Pence spends his time advocating for funds in support of conversion therapy, and even went as far to willingly put his signature on a bill that locked up same-sex couples seeking a marriage license.

Awesome.

Under the Trump-Pence administration, any rights we obtained under President Obama's rule will be null and void, and hate crimes and discrimination will essentially be free-reign.

Let's think about it: Trump supports the First Amendment Defense Act.

This act stops the government from taking action against those who “believe or act in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman."

Aka this act allows people to discriminate based off of gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

When is that ever something that can be seen as close to OK?

Just the simple notion that our rights are about to be completely skewed despite the progress President Obama has made to protect us is a terrifying concept.

Furthermore, Trump's push for holes in the Supreme Court to be filled by men reminiscent of world-renowned homophobe Antonin Scalia has left me feeling nauseous.

Trump has no plan for the LGBTQ+ community that involves any modicum of human decency.

He's not going to focus on a way to prevent tragedies like the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and he sure as hell is not going to add funding to HIV/AIDS research.

The only plan he and Pence have are to repeal marriage equality and destroy our lives.

Great.

It's 2016. Why is this even a discussion that needs to be had anymore?

No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation, you should be able to live anywhere in the world with no worries about being exactly who you are.

I've never been ashamed of who I am. Coming out was one of the best things I've ever experienced in my entire life, and I don't want these two disgusting men to force me in thinking otherwise.

Despite Mike Pence's belief in the traumatic and inhumane idea of altering one's sexuality, I don't need a cure. I think it's him who needs to some quality time with a goddamn shrink.

I stepped out of the closet a long time ago.

Sorry to break it to you, boys, but I have no plans of going back in.

Citations: What A Trump Presidency Means For The LGBT Community (NewNowNext), Mike Pence's Record on Reproductive and LGBTQ Rights Is Seriously Concerning (Teen Vogue)