7th place — 2025 grad student essay contest: Ione A. Rodriguez
FFRF awarded Ione $750.
By Ione A. Rodriguez
On day one of Trump’s second term, his administration signed a slew of executive orders that were direct attacks on the transgender community, under the guise of protecting women and children. These executive orders have direct ties to the Christian nationalist movement.
Christian nationalism is the belief that the country was founded as a Christian nation and laws should be based on Christian values. According to the Public Religion Research Institute’s 2023 survey, roughly three in 10 Americans qualify as Christian nationalist adherents or sympathizers, meaning they strongly believe or support the idea that America should be Christian nation. Although the number is relatively small, Christian nationalists are well funded and now in government power under the Trump administration.
One of the most blatant examples of Christian nationalist policies is the Millstone Act that was introduced in various states to ban gender-affirming care for minors. The name itself is a biblical reference to Matthew 18:6, which states “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Gender-affirming care, which includes medical interventions, mental health care and social interventions, is lifesaving for transgender youth. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered attempting suicide. This is not due to being transgender or nonbinary, but due to the stigmatization and victimization they experience in our society. The survey also found that in schools that were gender affirming, suicide rates were significantly lower.
Another example of discrimination toward transgender individuals is the infamous bathroom ban, which restricts transgender individuals from using facilities that align with their gender identity. Currently, there are several states that have broad bathroom bans that cover a wider range of public and private settings, while others have bans on only school settings and government buildings.
The loudest voices behind these bans come from Christian nationalist politicians, such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Mace even went so far as to introduce a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms at the U.S. Capitol, specifically to target Rep. Sarah McBride, who is a transgender woman.
In 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in Obergefell vs. Hodges. Now, 10 years later, several states have pressured the Supreme Court to reconsider the law. So far, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Montana have submitted resolutions to overturn the law protecting same-sex marriage and allow states to make the decision. Reasonings behind these resolutions directly link to Christian nationalist beliefs.
For example, Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver has argued that marriage is a “covenant between a man and a woman, an institution to glorify God and produce children.” Additionally, Idaho state Rep. Heather Scott told “The Ranch Podcast” that same-sex marriage is an “abomination to God.” Currently, it is estimated that 70 percent of Americans approve of legally recognizing same-sex marriages. Although these legislators do not represent the majority, they are in positions of power to cause significant harm to the LGBTQ community.
As a queer therapist who directly works with LGBTQ teens and adults, I have witnessed how the Trump administration has deteriorated the mental health of my clients. Many of my clients worry about their rights being infringed upon and not being able to live authentically. I have helped my clients through recognizing what is in their control and what is out of their control.
Unfortunately, what Trump and his administration says is out of our control. However, we do control how we respond and prepare to make changes for the future. We have control over what brands and companies we choose to support. We can volunteer to support marginalized communities that are being impacted. We have influence over how we can inspire and educate others to become more involved in politics. We also have control over our own involvement in rallies, town halls and bill hearings at state capitols. Change can happen, however, it involves participation and engagement from those who are willing to fight for it.
Ione, 30, attends University of Texas at San Antonio and is working toward a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision.
Ione writes: “I am a licensed therapist who works with those who have experienced trauma or abuse in childhood. My goals in school and beyond are to research Complex PTSD and how to prepare graduate level therapists in treating those with trauma. I have eight brothers, seven of whom are younger than me, and much of what I do is motivated by being the best role model I can be to them.”
