Pride and Protest: Miami Beach Attendees Say Trump-Era Policies Are Threatening LGBTQ+ Rights

As rainbow flags waved high and music echoed through the streets of South Beach, Miami Beach Pride was in full swing this past weekend. But behind the glitter and celebration, many in the crowd couldn’t shake the feeling that their rights—and their future—are at risk.

While Pride is usually a time for joy and unity, this year’s event came with a sharp edge. Marchers and allies weren’t just there to celebrate; they were also sounding the alarm over what they see as a dangerous rollback of LGBTQ+ protections under policies linked to former President Donald Trump and his political allies.

Worried About the Future

“I’m scared for my kids,” said Mailen Mejuto, who attended the parade with her family. “I don’t know what kind of world they’ll grow up in if these policies keep moving forward.”

Mejuto and others were particularly concerned about Florida’s increasingly strict laws around LGBTQ+ issues, especially in schools. One law, often referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, has already banned classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity through third grade. Now lawmakers want to expand that ban through eighth grade.

“They’re trying to erase us,” said Brian Carter, a Miami resident. “First they go after how we’re represented in schools. Next it’s healthcare, marriage, jobs—everything’s on the table.”

What’s Behind the Concern

The fear isn’t just about what’s happening in Florida. It’s also about the broader wave of conservative policies making their way through state legislatures and potentially the federal government.

Since Trump’s return to the national spotlight, he and some allies have supported legislation that many in the LGBTQ+ community see as threatening. This includes efforts to define gender in strictly biological terms, restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare, and roll back workplace protections.

Kimberly Rommel-Enright, a legal aid attorney in Palm Beach County, says she’s seen a sharp rise in calls from transgender individuals unsure about their rights.

“People are scared,” she said. “They’re calling us, asking if they should update their documents now, in case it gets harder later. It’s heartbreaking.”

Resisting Through Celebration

Despite the fear and uncertainty, the Pride parade was filled with hope, strength, and resilience.

“We’re here, we’re proud, and we’re not going anywhere,” said Tiffany Fantasia, a well-known local drag queen who performed at the event. “Pride has always been political, and this year, we need to be louder than ever.”

Many attendees saw their participation not just as a celebration, but as a form of protest—an act of visibility in the face of growing hostility.

Organizations like Equality Florida are stepping up to support the community, organizing legal resources, protest actions, and political campaigns. Jon Harris Maurer, the group’s policy director, criticized lawmakers who he says are using fear to divide the public.

“They’re creating a false choice between women’s rights and trans rights,” he said. “That’s not what feminism is about. It’s about equality for all of us.”

Tensions Even Within Pride

Even within the Pride community, political disagreements are surfacing. Florida State Representative Fabian Basabe, who has faced criticism for voting in favor of controversial bills, said he was barred from participating in last year’s Pride parade due to his political stance.

His exclusion raised questions about whether Pride events should be open to everyone or only to those aligned with its mission of LGBTQ+ equality.

“That’s not what inclusion is,” Basabe argued. “You can’t preach tolerance while shutting people out.”

Many at the event disagreed, saying Pride must stand firm against policies that hurt LGBTQ+ people, no matter who’s behind them.

Love and Resistance Moving Forward

For some couples at Pride, the political uncertainty has pushed them to make big life decisions.

“We’re getting married now, just in case,” said Jonathan and Luis, a couple who have been together for seven years. “We don’t want to wait and find out our rights are taken away again.”

While the atmosphere in Miami Beach was full of energy and joy, there was no mistaking the underlying message: Pride is more than a party—it’s a protest, a statement, and a promise to keep fighting.

“We’ve come too far to go back,” said Fantasia. “And we won’t.”