When he first ran for office, Donald Trump seemed like he could be a new kind of Republican when it came to LGBTQ+ rights. Years earlier, he overturned the rules of his own Miss Universe pageant to allow a transgender contestant to compete. He said Caitlyn Jenner could use any bathroom at Trump Tower that she wanted. And he was the first president to name an openly gay person to a Cabinet-level position. But since returning to office, Trump has engaged in what advocates say is an unprecedented assault on LGBTQ+ rights. The contrast will be on display this weekend during World Pride celebrations in Washington.

Election victories for Donald Trump and other candidates whose campaigns demeaned transgender people reinforced a widespread backlash against trans rights. For America's LGBTQ-rights movement, it adds up to one of the most sustained setbacks in its history. For transgender Americans, it's personal. There is palpable fear of potential Trump administration steps to further marginalize them. But there is also a spirit of resilience. Anti-trans momentum has been growing for several years, with Republican-governed states enacting dozens of laws restricting trans people's options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access. Activists fear the movement will grow, with the Trump administration taking power as many Americans question the trans-rights agenda.