Supporting Arizona’s Trans Community in Troubling Times
From Tucson.com
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Anne Dougherty

From Tucson.com
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Anne Dougherty
As LGBTQ+ Arizonans brace for the incoming Trump administration, the impact on our community, particularly trans individuals and trans youth, is deeply personal and profoundly troubling. As the Board Chair of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the wife of a trans man, a small business owner, and a mother, I find myself struggling to articulate the grief and persistent unease I feel.
The year 2024 saw more anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans legislation than any previous year, with numerous bills introduced and many passed into law. Chief among these, the Supreme Court will decide whether gender-affirming care can be denied to minors in the landmark case, US. vs. Skrmetti, anticipated to have cascading impacts on adult care and reproductive rights.
In the wake of the recent election campaign, a staggering $215 million was funneled into anti-trans advertisements, according to Truthout.org. For the estimated 1.6 million trans-identified individuals aged 13 and older in the United States, this equates to roughly $134 per person — a figure that could instead provide as many as 200 million meals to American families. This financial assault was a calculated attempt to scapegoat trans individuals, aiming to splinter votes within our predominantly Democratic-leaning communities. Whether these tactics secured electoral victories remains unclear, but they undeniably signal the lengths to which the administration will go to exploit trans identities for political gain.
Personally, the ramifications of these actions are heartbreaking. Friends and loved ones are fleeing the country, fearing for their physical and emotional safety. Guidance is being issued to renew passports, shore up legal documents, consider powers of attorney, and protect parental rights. This pervasive sense of insecurity is not just abstract policy — it’s a lived reality for fellow Arizonans.
Arizona’s libertarian streak has long valued the dignity of its residents, honoring each person’s right to self-determination and personal liberty. However, the recent surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation starkly contradicts these core values. Project 2025, an initiative spearheaded by the Trump administration, seeks to define gender in restrictive terms, marginalizing trans individuals and threatening the progress made toward equal rights. The implications extend beyond the trans community, jeopardizing women’s reproductive rights and other fundamental freedoms. NPR reported that such policies could severely limit access to healthcare and education for marginalized groups, exacerbating societal divisions and inequality.
The impact on trans youth is particularly alarming. Adolescents navigating their gender identity require supportive environments to thrive, yet the current political climate fosters fear and uncertainty. A comprehensive study by the Williams Institute at UCLA highlighted data showing that trans youth face higher risks of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, when exposed to discriminatory policies and hostile environments. The psychological toll of being targeted by government policies can have lifelong repercussions, stunting personal growth and societal contribution.
Amid these adversities, I cannot shake the feeling that we have lost our capacity for, and belief in, dignity. To stand on our own dignity and extend it to others is an act of profound selflessness. It requires us to rise above our worst thoughts and fears about one another, to sit with our own vulnerabilities so we might protect the dignity of others, and to believe that doing so does not detract from our own worth. Conferring dignity is a moral standard that we must repeatedly choose.
One way to reaffirm our commitment to support is through community-directed philanthropy, which is essential to fostering a vibrant, accepting community. Contributing to the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund of Southern Arizona, a fund of the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, offers an avenue to counteract these troubling trends.
As Arizonans who believe in self-determination — the right to make decisions about our own bodies, families, and communities — supporting the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund aligns with our core values. It ensures that all Arizonans, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, have access to programs that are dignifying and confer the respect we all deserve in life. Community-directed philanthropy allows us to counteract the negative impacts of divisive politics by investing directly in programs that build up our community rather than tear it down.
The recent political maneuvers against the trans community are not isolated incidents but part of a broader attempt to erode the fabric of our diverse society. By channeling resources into the Alliance Fund, we can support essential life-affirming programs such as elder care, housing, youth services, and legal assistance. Lizette Trujillo, fellow Alliance Fund board member and activist for trans youth, said in response to U.S. vs. Skrmetti, “We’ll take care of each other, we’ll be in community and do the things we need to do, because our children are not going to stop being transgendered just because you strip them of their care.”
The incoming Trump administration’s stance on trans rights poses significant threats to Arizona’s commitment to dignity and self-determination. Yet, through the support of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund of Southern Arizona, we can stand together against these challenges. Let us honor our core values by protecting and supporting our trans community, safeguarding civil liberties, and fostering an environment where every Arizonan can thrive.
Anne E. Dougherty is a Founder and Co-Owner of ILLUME Advising, LLC, a nationally recognized energy research and strategy consultancy. Anne is the Board Chair of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund’s Advisory Board, a fund of the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Arizona Technology Council’s Board of Directors and the Groundswell Capital Board of Directors.