Media Contact: Javier Rojas, javier.rojas@csun.edu, (818) 677-2130
At a time when marginalized communities are under attack, prioritizing mental health and seeking supportive spaces are vital in navigating the current political climate, according to Jessennya Hernandez, assistant professor of sociology at California State University, Northridge.
Even before President Donald Trump penned an executive order attacking transgender people, mandating that the federal government recognize only male and female genders, among other actions, there were already extreme fears, said Hernandez, whose teaching and research interests center on race, gender, sexuality and social justice.
“Students were already feeling afraid before the current administration but now things have been heightened and many are already feeling the consequences,” said Hernandez, who teaches in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “One of my trans students shared how they’re already dealing with certain resources being withheld from them because they no longer use their dead name (name given at birth they no longer use). Since the government only recognizes their dead name, this student has to choose between honoring their gender and chosen name or using their dead name to access these resources and basically assimilate into the gendered norms the administration is enforcing.”
According to the Trevor Project, the suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people saw a 33% increase in call volume to its crisis services on Inauguration Day as compared to prior weeks. The bump in calls on January 20 follows a historic 700% increase in volume on November 6 — the day after Trump was elected, the group said.
Hernandez, who currently teaches a course on marginalized queer communities, specifically those who are immigrants, Black and brown and working-class individuals, said the class is not only timely but vital in times when many are looking for better understanding about these current issues.
“This class is very important because we use an intersectional lens to highlight the connections between immigrant and queer struggles,” she said. “We are looking at different texts that are from these communities and analyzing the current political and social climate.”
There is also a need for advice for parents of trans youth, Hernandez said, as many in this community look for answers and allies in a time when many are turning their backs against these groups.
“My advice to parents is to focus on the things you can control so maybe keeping up with all the news 24/7 isn’t the best and instead you can prioritize what is most important to you,” she said. “Also, learn and listen to your child, ask them about their fears, how can you support their hopes, build solidarity and assure your kid that their struggles are also your struggles.”
Finding supportive spaces and trans and immigrant groups, like the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles and Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice — are also important, Hernandez said, because they can give guidance on what to focus on and give ideas on how to get directly involved.
“People right now feel so hopeless and are asking ‘what can we do?’ and these organizations have done the work and they can provide that kind of guidance,” Hernandez said.
“Whatever this administration does and whatever policy gets made, queer and trans people are still going to be here and people are ready to fight for their rights as humans,” she continued. “The administration is successful in their tactic of increasing fear and confusion, but I have also seen a deeper commitment from organizations that are ready to help and that is just as equally as important.”
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