LGBTQ+ Christian Leaders Rally Against Trump’s 'Hostile' Policies During Holy Week

Holy Week took a dramatic turn in Washington, D.C., as LGBTQ+ Christian faith leaders gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to denounce what they call President Donald Trump’s "anti-LGBTQ+ legislation." Their message was clear: faith and queer identity are not mutually exclusive, and the current administration’s policies are a direct challenge to both.

The event, hosted by the Collective of Queer Christian Leaders, drew outspoken clergy and activists who said the Trump administration has gone beyond targeting the LGBTQ+ community—it’s also striking at faith leaders who advocate for inclusion and compassion. Guthrie Graves, a Baptist deacon, pointed to Trump’s public lashing of Bishop Mariann Budde, who had called for mercy for LGBTQ+ people and immigrants during an inaugural prayer service. Trump responded on Truth Social by branding Budde a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater," accusing her of politicizing the occasion by simply asking for mercy for LGBTQ+ children who are feeling scared.

Ryan Henderson, another attendee, described the rally’s goal: "We wanted today to speak out against the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as well as the executive orders coming out of this current administration." The message? LGBTQ+ people are not alone, especially in their faith.

In case anyone missed it, Trump started his return to the Oval Office with an executive order defining only two sexes—male and female. Shortly after, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a lawsuit against Maine for allowing transgender women to continue playing women’s sports. Maine's Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, refused to comply, resulting in a high-profile standoff that Trump promised would end up in court.

Those at the Capitol rally said transgender individuals are feeling especially under siege. Haley Warner from the Belong Collective, an LGBTQ+-affirming church, called for "a full embrace from the church, from the arms of God," urging faith communities to push back against what she called far-right policies "in the name of God."

Sunu Chandy of Democracy Forward stressed that rights have to be fought for everywhere—"in the courts, in the faith communities, in the streets." Rev. Don Abram, founder of Pride in the Pews, put it bluntly: "We are in the midst of a certain level of unprecedented attacks against the LGBTQ+ community, wherein the rights that my ancestors fought so hard to gain are now not only under attack, but are actively being rolled back."

Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, an LGBTQ+ justice group in the United Methodist Church, emphasized the power of faith leaders standing united in this "critical time." According to Lawrence, "We have a collective voice that is louder than the voice of any one of us." It’s a refreshingly hopeful note in the midst of all the tension.

Despite the criticism, the Trump White House Faith Office announced a robust Holy Week schedule to celebrate Easter. But when it came to addressing the concerns raised at the rally, the White House stayed mum and didn’t respond to requests for comment.

For a bit of contrast, last year President Joe Biden proclaimed March 31—Easter Sunday—as Transgender Day of Visibility, declaring that transgender and nonbinary Americans "belong, and they should be treated with dignity and respect."