‘We need more places like this in Fresno.’ LGBTQ+ groups fight discrimination as second Trump term looms

Two years ago, Rebecca Encanto and their family sought refuge at a religious shelter in Tijuana as they prepared to cross the border from Michoacán, Mexico, to the United States. They hoped for a better life in the U.S.; a safer and more welcoming environment for women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

But at the shelter, she faced harassment and told she was evil because of their intersecting identities as a Latina, queer, trans, and non-binary person—an experience so severe that she eventually fled.

Following the 2024 presidential election, Encanto, now 21 and using they/them and she/her pronouns, shared that they have witnessed hostility toward LGBTQ+ people, immigrants and women in the United States, including from the Latino community, that they described as “similar or even worse ways than before.” 

“There’s so much fake information on social media and that lack of knowledge leads to misguided decisions, like voting based on hate,” said Encanto. “If they’re Hispanic, if they speak a different language, if they were immigrants, if they’re brown—that’s enough reason to be among those who are affected by the election and its agenda.”

The ongoing hostility, both within and toward marginalized communities—including Latino, LGBTQ+, and trans populations—has only grown uglier under the policies and rhetoric championed by President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump, who secured his presidency after GOP groups spent around $215 million on anti-trans advertisements during the campaign about trans women in sports and Kamala Harris’ previous support for taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgeries for incarcerated people in the U.S.

Trump has pledged to carry out mass deportations using the U.S. military and proposed numerous actions against transgender people. These include investigating educators, banning gender-affirming care for youth, and ending legal recognition for trans individuals. 

How Fresno LGBTQ+ organizations are preparing for a Trump presidency—again

In response, Fresno LGBTQ+ organizations are hosting community events to support LGBTQ+ individuals and are offering new programs and services for those most affected by the political climate.

Two days after the election, four local organizations hosted “Soup for My Family,” a first-ever community potluck “to commune, create an environment where people have resources at their fingertips, and know that this is a safe space to talk about what’s ailing our community without fear of retribution,” said Stan Johnson, founder and executive director of BlaQueer Fresno.

“Soup for My Family” will be held on the first Thursday of each month, replacing the former ArtHop events. One of the organizations hosting the event is BlaQueer Fresno, a grassroots organization founded a year ago to create safe spaces for Black queer people, as “no safe spaces for us exist.”

“From my perspective, being Black in America and voting means knowing that every election holds the potential for candidates to harm my community,” said Johnson. “That has always been the fight for Black people—against inequity and injustice.” 

BlaQueer Fresno, based at the Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center, has not yet started its programming due to ongoing fundraising efforts. However, Johnson and the nine-person board have already facilitated access to gender-affirming surgeries, name and gender changes, and organized community events like bowling, succulent workshops, and movie nights.

Johnson’s main goal is to establish a brick-and-mortar space called “The Village.” He is collaborating with a cohort of physicians invited to BlaQueer Fresno to oversee clinical services for HIV, PrEP, and PEP.

“As a Black, queer, cisgender gay man, I haven’t always felt warmth or love from my community in the way I would hope,” said Johnson. “But this moment feels like an opportunity to mend fences and see that we can present a unified front. Together, we can work toward something that will directly benefit us, and that excites me.”

Trans-E-Motion, a trans-led organization in the Central Valley, provides gender-affirming care grants, rental relief, giveaways, and free WPATH letters for medical transitioning.  

The group recently received a $95,000 grant from the California Department of Public Health to expand services over the next four years in Fresno and across the Central Valley.  

Carlos Lopez, Trans-E-Motion’s secretary, shared that part of the funding will support workshops and training for local medical and mental health providers to improve trans competency through their “Community of Care” program. The organization is also launching a new program called “Navigating Gender Together” to offer resources and wellness sessions for the community.  

Lopez has also been training to become an electrologist to represent Trans-E-Motion at a new clinic, Fresno Inclusive, opening in early 2025. The clinic will provide affordable electrolysis services, work to connect with insurance providers for coverage, and include LGBTQ+ inclusive electrologists.

The dedicated clinic will be the first in Fresno, with the goal of eliminating the fear that many LGBTQ+ people have about seeking necessary healthcare “because they experience so many discriminatory incidents.” Lopez received funding from a Trans Justice Funding Project grant and a donation from a local medical provider to cover his school expenses and basic needs while earning his certification.

“Gender-affirming healthcare, in all its forms, saved my life, continues to save it, and saves other people’s lives,” said Lopez. “It’s such an honor to be part of this—and despite whatever pushback we might face or the fact that we live in a conservative area, I want folks from Fresno, Madera, and the surrounding counties to get to a place where I am right now, where I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

How community and mental health support can save LGBTQ+ and trans lives

Artemes Gidram, a board member of PFLAG Fresno, the local chapter of the national organization that provides support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones, emphasized that community care is crucial—especially for trans people, who represent a small population in areas like Fresno County, where voting outcomes and vocal opposition can create additional challenges.

“Fresno County has the potential to be loving and accepting, but it will require effort, as opposing voices are often louder,” said Gidram. “It’s crucial to remind trans people, especially trans youth—who are the most vulnerable—that this county is not defined by those voices. Many of us love them, want to keep them safe, and are committed to ensuring they have the resources to thrive.”

PFLAG Fresno has been sharing Instagram posts offering advice on preparing for a Trump presidency, including updating documentation like gender markers and names on national-level documents such as passports, with just two months left before the new administration takes office.

Starting in January, PFLAG Fresno will launch a Zoom-only support group for those unable to attend in-person meetings. The group will meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month to provide accessible support. PFLAG Fresno is also discussing plans to organize more events and expand available resources.

Mandalyn Castanon, a queer therapist in Fresno, shared that LGBTQ+ clients have had mixed reactions post-election. She also noted conversations with other providers who have observed an increase in emails from people seeking care, including herself.

“I’ve been getting a lot of clients who feel really betrayed by families, people who say that they love and support them, but would vote and support somebody whose policies are completely against their entire identity and who they are,” said Castanon. “Clients are also worried about access to gender affirming care, losing access to reproductive rights and making decisions about their own bodies.”

Although she’s not accepting clients currently, she has a waitlist and refers individuals to Safe and Affirmative Counseling and Deeply Rooted Family Counseling, both of which have LGBTQ+ and trans-affirming providers.

Castanon encourages clients to find community care within LGBTQ+ organizations and safe spaces, emphasizing the importance of connecting with others who share similar experiences and can provide support during challenging times.

Encanto has faced harassment both at the border and in Fresno, where riding the bus often subjects them to discriminatory incidents involving members of the Latino community. These experiences have made it difficult for her to find places where they feel truly safe—both outside and within their own communities.

They finally found the support they needed through the Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center, which she discovered via a Google search. At the center, they attend a mental health support group, receive housing assistance, and have built a chosen family that supports her outside the center, attending their drag performances and offering non-judgmental encouragement.

After being invited by the staff to volunteer, Encanto has been actively involved at the center for the past 10 months. Her responsibilities include assisting at the front desk, distributing flyers to newcomers, explaining available resources, and helping set up events.

“We need more places like this in Fresno and beyond because people in our community face dangers both outside and within our communities,” said Encanto. “Here, we can come together, even if we come from different cultures, because we share a commitment to supporting each other’s identities and celebrating our diversity. By working together and learning together, we can protect ourselves—not just from harmful political forces but also from harm within our own community. We have to try our best, because in unity, there is strength.”

Local LGBTQ+ Community Organizations 

• Gender Alchemy, a new organization that provides support, education, and healing for trans and gender expansive people. 
• Casita Feliz provides comprehensive support, promoting health, equity, and justice for Latine LGBTQ+ and underserved communities.
• Casa Colores ​​supports 2S, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities in thriving through healing arts and herbalism.
• Oasis Legal Services that specializes in trauma-informed, holistic legal immigration services for underrepresented and low-income groups, with a focus on LGBTQ+ individuals.  
• Imperial Dove Court de Fresno, hosts events and raises funds for grants benefiting both LGBTQ+ and broader charitable organizations. Plays a vital role in advancing community causes through fundraising and outreach.  
• Fresno Rainbow Pride / Community Link, organizes Fresno’s largest and longest-running Pride event in the Tower District, alongside year-round Pride-themed events and social groups. Connects various LGBTQ+ organizations and serves as a resource hub for the community.  
• California Rural Legal Assistance – LGBTQ+ Program, provides high-quality legal assistance on issues including immigration, name and gender marker changes, employment discrimination, and education for LGBTQ+ individuals.  
• LGBT Fresno offers programs, activities, and services that build and support the LGBTQ+ community. Maintains a calendar of monthly events and shares news relevant to the community.  
• Fresno Spectrum Center, a resource and community hub providing workshops, social events, educational programs, and annual informational fairs to empower and connect the LGBTQ+ community.  
• The Source LGBTQ+ Center is an organization in Visalia to provide supportive spaces and resources for LGBTQ+ people.