Unfortunately, America is going to get a bit harder for gay people. Obama signed several executive actions to protect gay service members and federal employees from discrimination.

Within Trumps first 100 days, those protections will be rolled back. Now most states (like mine in California) have protections against gays on the books, but others don't, which means some gay people will lose their jobs because of this election. Perhaps more pervasive, social science tells us hatred breeds hared, which means we can expect upticks in violence against gay people, including bullying in schools.

In light of all this, we need to take care of ourselves and each other.

If you are a young person: you are not alone. You are loved. If you need community and support, I would turn you to thetrevorproject.org. They will be able to help you and keep you safe. If you are not a "gay youth" and you need community and support, consider seeking out your local LGTB Center (or upvote-friendly online community :-).

If you are someone who does not need support, we need your help. It's time to lean in, please. Donate your money. Volunteer your time. It's true that most gay people live in blue communities, so be sure to reach across state lines and seek out communities in red states who might be under-funded and/or understaffed. A simple $10/month recurring donation can have a big impact on someone else's life.

Finally, for any of you who are reading this, feel free to reach out to me personally. Perhaps we can be pen pals or even talk on the phone if you're struggling. I'm here for you and I imagine many others on this site are too.