Political Grief and Trans+ Resistance: Navigating Loss, Fear, and a Sliver of Hope During Political Retrogression

Introduction: Political Grief and the Struggle for Trans+ Rights

For many trans+ individuals, political grief is not just a concept—it’s a lived experience shaped by years of watching LGBTQ+ rights and protections ebb and flow with the political tides. Recent election outcomes in the United States have added an intense new layer to this grief. With Donald Trump—a leader who has repeatedly targeted vulnerable communities—now back in office, the impact is not confined to U.S. borders. Living next to such a volatile political force is like standing on the edge of a wildfire, where every gust of wind threatens to carry the flames north of the 49th. The US’ political shifts ripple outward, emboldening parties like the Conservative Party of Canada to follow similar paths and intensifying the risks that trans+ people already face.

As someone who has lived on both sides of the border, I have a personal understanding of how closely the political tides of the United States affect life in Canada, especially for trans+ individuals. Canada, once perceived as a progressive sanctuary for LGBTQ+ rights, is not immune to the consequences of political extremism from our southern neighbour. The very foundation of Canadian life—rooted in the assumption of a stable and democratic partner to the south—now feels shaken. For trans+ individuals and their allies, the question looms: How do we navigate the grief, fear, and uncertainty that arises when we are forced to question the stability of our rights and safety, even in our own country?

This constant push and pull over fundamental rights creates collective grief in the trans+ community, rooted in the trauma of seeing hard-won advancements jeopardized. Such grief is not isolated to one country or community; it ripples through trans+ networks globally, especially as social media, news, and political discourse highlight the latest threats to our rights and well-being (Scandurra et al., 2018). For many, the impact of these events is not just ideological—it’s personal, affecting our mental health, sense of safety, and belonging.

As a transgender, disabled, ex-pat American and Canadian psychotherapist and art therapist, I have seen firsthand how this grief affects my clients and my community. There is a real need for validation and support when the world feels increasingly hostile. For many, the struggle is not only about external acceptance but also about the internal battles brought on by a society that seems determined to marginalize. This post is my attempt to offer insight, grounding, and hope for those grappling with political grief—a grief that is as complex as it is widespread.

Understanding Political Grief: A Collective Experience of Loss and Resilience

Political grief is not merely an individual experience of disappointment or frustration; it is a deep, collective response to the erosion of hard-won rights and freedoms. For trans+ individuals, political grief emerges in response to policies and rhetoric that undermine their identities, livelihoods, and physical safety. Unlike other forms of grief, political grief is unique in its ambiguity—a term Pauline Boss (2000) describes as an ambiguous loss, where there is no clear end or resolution. This ambiguity makes the grief particularly painful, as there is no single event to mourn but rather an ongoing struggle against forces that seek to erase or oppress.

Trans+ communities experience political grief as a constant state, particularly when policies and social narratives invalidate their existence. Like many of my clients and peers, I too have felt the weight of “frozen grief”—a sense of mourning that seems to have no end, no resolution. This grief is not passive; it is embedded in the daily experience of living in a society that frequently questions one’s rights and dignity. As Bartels (2024) aptly describes, this can lead to a form of “frozen grief,” where trans+ individuals are caught in a cycle of mourning that feels perpetual and immobilizing. This type of grief erodes not only a sense of safety but also challenges one’s belief in societal progress, leaving many feeling isolated and exhausted.

Beyond personal loss, political grief represents the collective trauma of a community that must continually fight for recognition and acceptance. As Faye (2021) notes in The Transgender Issue, the constant threats to trans+ rights force individuals to question the permanence of their safety, autonomy, and acceptance in society. Each policy rollback, discriminatory statement, or violent incident resonates as a reminder that trans+ rights are often conditional and subject to public and political approval. This collective experience of loss is intensified by the recognition that, while individual acts of resilience are essential, systemic change is slow and uncertain.

The Layers of Political Grief for Trans+ Communities: A Deeply Personal and Systemic Experience

Political grief in the trans+ community is multi-layered, rooted in both historical discrimination and ongoing systemic oppression. Unlike more isolated forms of grief, this grief is reinforced by persistent narratives that question the legitimacy of trans+ lives, identities, and rights. Shon Faye’s The Transgender Issue (2021) highlights the power of media and political rhetoric in shaping damaging portrayals of trans+ individuals, often positioning them as societal threats or burdens. These pervasive narratives do not merely exist in the abstract; they shape public opinion, justify discriminatory policies, and influence the daily experiences of trans+ individuals who internalize these societal biases. Research by Puckett et al. (2019) confirms that chronic discrimination contributes to severe mental health effects, including increased depression and anxiety among trans+ people.

In Canada, recent political shifts underscore the precariousness of trans+ rights, echoing similar anti-trans rhetoric and policies seen in the United States and other regions. Canada, once perceived as a progressive space for LGBTQ+ rights, now feels increasingly uncertain for trans+ communities as gaps in legal protections emerge. Amnesty International Canada (2024) critiques how this shift intensifies the vulnerability of trans+ individuals, creating a climate where the rights that many believed to be secure now feel fragile and conditional. This erosion of safety contributes to a profound sense of betrayal, as a country once viewed as a bastion of rights now mirrors the restrictive policies of neighbouring nations.

Impact on Mental Health and Identity: Internal and External Pressures

The layered nature of political grief profoundly impacts mental health, especially as it intersects with core aspects of trans+ identity. Internalized transphobia, as Scandurra et al. (2018) reveal, often acts as a bridge between external discrimination and self-directed harm, such as depression and anxiety. This concept of internalized transphobia sheds light on how systemic oppression reaches deeply into the personal lives of trans+ individuals, where external prejudice becomes a part of one’s self-narrative. The effects of this internalization are not merely theoretical; they are tangible, shaping how individuals perceive their self-worth and belonging in society.

Moreover, studies by Oorthuys et al. (2023) highlight coping mechanisms used by trans+ individuals in response to these persistent stressors, such as emotional detachment or seeking community support. While detachment can offer temporary relief, it often falls short as a sustainable long-term strategy, potentially leading to isolation and increased psychological strain. Conversely, community support has been shown to buffer against mental health declines, illustrating the importance of affirming and resilient networks for trans+ people. However, even community support has its limits under the weight of sustained political grief, making it essential for individuals to develop adaptive coping strategies that foster resilience without compromising mental health.

In my therapeutic work, I encourage clients to explore coping mechanisms that align with their unique identities and experiences, helping them to navigate political grief in ways that feel personally meaningful and sustainable. It is clear that addressing this grief requires both personal resilience and systemic change, a commitment from communities and allies to stand against discriminatory practices that fuel these ongoing cycles of loss.

Collective Grief and the Power of Community Solidarity

For trans+ communities, political grief is not only a personal experience but a shared one, felt deeply within a network of individuals who support one another through both the challenges and triumphs of advocacy and resilience. In Tending Grief, Barton (2024) emphasizes the transformative potential of communal grieving, highlighting that when grief is held collectively, individuals can process pain in a way that fosters strength and unity. For trans+ people, who often face stigma that discourages open expression of their struggles, such communal support becomes essential, creating a safe space where grief is witnessed and validated rather than suppressed.

In my journey, I’ve found strength in collective spaces that reinforce our shared values and offer a sense of safety, belonging, and resilience. These communities remind me that we are stronger together. The value of these collective spaces goes beyond emotional support; they act as a bulwark against the mental health impacts of discrimination. Puckett et al. (2020) found that community connectedness significantly buffers trans+ individuals from the negative effects of discrimination, such as depression and anxiety. This sense of connection offers more than just comfort—it is a form of resilience, reinforcing the notion that identity is not just an individual attribute but a shared experience with roots in a supportive and understanding community. These spaces serve as critical reminders that no one is alone in their grief or struggle.

Practical Steps for Navigating Political Grief: Building Resilience and Finding Empowerment

Political grief may feel overwhelming, yet there are tangible steps that trans+ individuals and allies can take to build resilience, foster healing, and cultivate hope. While the systemic causes of this grief are often beyond our immediate control, personal and collective actions can help mitigate its impact.

Embrace Community Rituals of Grief and Resilience

Camille Barton (2024) underscores the power of community-based rituals in Tending Grief, pointing to shared practices like storytelling, communal meals, and collective expressions of emotion as effective ways to process and transform grief. These rituals offer a safe, affirming space where grief can be openly expressed and shared without judgment. For trans+ people, who may face pressure to suppress their emotions or feel isolated in their experiences, community rituals are particularly powerful. They provide opportunities to reconnect with one’s identity in an affirming environment and allow individuals to experience the healing power of solidarity. Whether it’s through online forums, support groups, or local gatherings, these rituals foster resilience by reinforcing that grief is a shared, not solitary, journey.

Cultivate Adaptive Coping Mechanisms

Resilience is not an abstract concept but a set of skills and practices that can buffer against the mental health impacts of discrimination. Scandurra et al. (2018) highlight how adaptive coping strategies—such as setting personal boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing self-compassion—can significantly help trans+ individuals manage the stress of political grief. These coping mechanisms allow individuals to focus on what they can control, creating a sense of agency that counters feelings of helplessness. Mindfulness, in particular, can help trans+ individuals stay grounded, while self-compassion practices reduce self-blame and enhance emotional well-being. By setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, individuals protect their mental health, enabling them to engage with activism and community work from a place of strength rather than depletion.

Engage in Advocacy and Education as Empowerment

Activism can transform grief into purpose, channeling difficult emotions into constructive action. As Faye (2021) argues in The Transgender Issue, trans liberation is essential not only for the well-being of trans+ individuals but for society as a whole. By engaging in advocacy—whether through educating others, supporting policies that affirm trans+ rights, or participating in community organizations—trans+ people can reshape political grief into a source of empowerment. This advocacy creates visibility, challenges harmful narratives, and fosters a culture of acceptance and understanding. Allies play a crucial role here as well; by listening, learning, and amplifying trans voices in spaces where they may not be present, they help broaden the impact of these efforts. Advocacy, then, becomes a way to reclaim agency, showing that trans+ individuals are not merely subjects of discrimination but active agents of change.

In taking these steps, trans+ individuals and allies work together to address the emotional toll of political grief and create a foundation of resilience and hope. While the fight for justice and equality continues, these practical actions offer a pathway toward healing and solidarity, proving that even in challenging times, empowerment and support are within reach.

The Role of Allies in Supporting Trans+ Political Grief and Resilience

For trans+ individuals, the weight of political grief can be immense. Trans+ allies—whether friends, family, colleagues, or broader communities—have a unique opportunity to support this journey by providing validation, advocacy, and protection. The importance of allyship in reducing stigma and creating safe, inclusive environments cannot be overstated, as it’s through active support that trans+ individuals are reminded they are not facing these struggles alone.

Offering Emotional Validation and Presence

One of the most powerful ways allies can support trans+ people is through empathy and active listening. Political grief is often met with feelings of isolation, as trans+ individuals navigate a society that at times openly debates their right to exist. Allies can alleviate this sense of isolation by offering genuine, non-judgmental support. Simply bearing witness to the pain and anger that political grief brings—and acknowledging it as valid—can provide much-needed emotional relief. As research by Puckett et al. (2020) emphasizes, having supportive, validating people in one’s life is a critical factor in buffering against the psychological impacts of discrimination. Allies, therefore, play an essential role in reducing the mental health burdens that accompany political grief.

Creating and Protecting Safe Spaces

Trans+ individuals often rely on supportive spaces where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or harm. Allies can contribute to this by establishing, protecting, and maintaining safe environments within workplaces, schools, community organizations, and online spaces. This might include advocating for gender-inclusive policies, creating forums for open dialogue, or simply making it known that anti-trans rhetoric will not be tolerated. By actively cultivating safe spaces, allies help foster environments where trans+ people feel valued, respected, and protected—a fundamental step in navigating political grief.

Taking Action to Challenge Discriminatory Policies and Rhetoric

Beyond providing emotional support, allies can use their platforms and privileges to actively advocate for trans+ rights. As Faye (2021) explains in The Transgender Issue, trans liberation is inextricably linked to broader societal well-being. Allies can contribute by engaging in conversations that challenge transphobic narratives, supporting trans-led organizations, and working alongside trans+ communities in efforts to create systemic change. Actions as simple as writing to representatives, attending rallies, or sharing trans+ affirming resources all contribute to the larger movement for justice and equality. When allies advocate for these changes, they help alleviate some of the systemic burdens that generate political grief.

Committing to Ongoing Education and Reflection

Being an ally is a continuous process of learning and self-reflection. Allies are encouraged to educate themselves on issues affecting trans+ communities—including the social, political, and economic factors that create political grief. Books like Barton’s Tending Grief (2024) and Faye’s The Transgender Issue (2021) provide invaluable insights, helping allies understand the profound impacts of systemic discrimination. Through continued education, allies can deepen their empathy and become more effective advocates, standing in solidarity with trans+ individuals in both challenging times and moments of triumph.

Amplifying Trans+ Voices and Lived Experiences

Trans+ individuals often face barriers to being heard in public and policy discussions. Allies have the power to amplify trans+ voices by sharing their stories, perspectives, and resources, ensuring they reach a broader audience. It’s crucial for allies to defer to and centre trans+ voices, recognizing that the lived experiences of trans+ people provide the most authentic insight into their needs, struggles, and hopes. In doing so, allies help to shift public narratives in ways that humanize and honour trans+ lives.

A Vision of Hope Amid Adversity

Political grief, though deeply painful, carries within it the seeds of resistance and liberation. In my work as a trans psychotherapist, I am constantly reminded of the immense strength, courage, and growth that the trans+ community embodies. This resistance is visible across generations: from young people boldly stepping into activism to elders sharing the hard-earned wisdom that sustained them through eras of even greater adversity. This legacy of strength is a testament to the community’s capacity to transcend each new wave of discrimination, showing that resistance is not just a response but a defining characteristic.

However, hope in times of political turmoil can feel complicated, especially for those most directly impacted by systemic oppression. Brene Brown (2024) describes despair as a “claustrophobic feeling” rooted in a sense of hopelessness, a feeling that “nothing will ever change.” In her view, the antidote to despair is hope, which she frames not as an emotion but as a cognitive-behavioural process that involves setting goals, identifying pathways to achieve them, and cultivating a sense of agency. For many, taking small, deliberate steps in the face of overwhelming grief offers a way to regain control, however modest, and to reconnect with courage, kindness, and community.

Yet, the most marginalized among us—Black, Indigenous, and people of colour—have reminded us, again and again, that calls for hope can feel hollow, especially when they come from those with a great deal of privilege and who may not bear the full brunt of politics-fuelled systemic oppression. In the aftermath of recent political shifts, many marginalized people feel disillusioned by the notion of “staying hopeful” in a world that repeatedly subjects them to discrimination and violence. For those facing disproportionate risks—trans+ people, people of colour, disabled individuals—the prospect of hope can seem distant, and the well-intentioned encouragement to “hold on” may unintentionally dismiss the intensity of their lived reality. For some, staying rooted in the truth of despair feels more honest and empowering, acknowledging the severity of what’s at stake rather than bypassing it with optimism.

Grief, therefore, does not need to isolate or immobilize us, but neither does it demand forced positivity. Instead, grief can act as a powerful motivator, bringing clarity to our values and reminding us why we fight for a world that celebrates—rather than denies—our existence. It is a call to honour what we hold sacred: the right to live authentically and freely, without fear of erasure. As Barton (2024) highlights in Tending Grief, mourning is not an end but an ongoing process that can deepen our commitment to collective healing, justice, and liberation. In this way, grief does not limit us; rather, it pushes us toward envisioning a world where all trans+ lives are recognized, valued, and protected.

To those navigating this grief, know that you are not alone, and it is okay to feel both the weight of despair and the quiet strength of hope. Hope, when it’s rooted in an awareness of the reality we face, does not deny our pain but allows us to persist in spite of it. Together, we can embrace both the clarity of anger and the grounding of courage, resisting calls to hide behind comforting illusions while also holding onto our capacity to envision change.

The path may be challenging, but the community’s collective strength provides a foundation on which hope and liberation can thrive. Together, we will continue to resist, heal, and imagine a future that honours every trans+ life. This hope is not merely a wish but a shared intention to keep moving forward—to build a world where dignity, acceptance, and love for all are non-negotiable. In the face of adversity, this vision of resistance and liberation becomes our strongest form of defiance and our greatest source of strength.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Purpose and Resistance

As we navigate the challenging terrain of political grief, we are called to remember both the weight of the adversities we face and the strength that comes from our shared commitment to justice, equality, and collective liberation. Political grief may bring sorrow, anger, and even moments of despair, but it also offers an opportunity for transformation—an invitation to honour our truth, affirm our values, and build a world where trans+ lives are celebrated and protected.

For trans+ individuals, allies, and communities, this journey requires resistance and determination. It requires us to stand together, to support each other in times of vulnerability, and to uplift the voices of those most affected by systemic oppression. By engaging in advocacy, creating safe spaces, and practising community care, we are not only addressing the immediate impacts of political grief but also laying the groundwork for lasting change.

To all who feel the weight of this grief, know that you are part of a community that sees and values you. Let us take the strength found in solidarity, the insights shared through hardship, and the resistance rooted in hope, and use them to fuel our vision of a more inclusive and compassionate world. Our collective action, empathy, and courage will continue to light the way forward, making it clear that the future we seek—a future of dignity, acceptance, and liberation—is worth every effort.

In this shared commitment, we find our hope, our resistance, and our path forward. Together, we will continue to resist, to heal, and to build a world where every trans+ life is honoured.

Continue the Convo

If the reflections and insights in this blog resonate with you, I warmly invite you to connect with me. Political grief can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to seek support. Whether you’re a therapist seeking guidance on how to support clients facing political grief, or someone navigating the challenges of political hostility and searching for a safe space to process your experiences, I’m here to help. You don’t have to face these feelings alone.

You may book individual therapy sessions or peer consultations online, where we can work together to address the unique complexities of political grief and cultivate resilience. Be sure to bookmark this blog for future insights, reflections, and updates as we continue exploring paths toward healing and empowerment.

References

Amnesty International Canada. (2024, February 23). Pierre Poilievre’s comments about trans women ‘a dangerous distraction,’ Amnesty International Canada says. https://amnesty.ca/human-rights-news/pierre-poilievre-trans-comments-dangerous-distraction/

Barton, C. S. (2024). Tending Grief. Publisher.

Boss, P. (2000). Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief. Harvard University Press.

Faye, S. (2021). The Transgender Issue. Publisher.

Oorthuys, C., et al. (2023). Identifying Coping Strategies Used by Transgender Individuals in Response to Stressors during and after Gender-Affirming Treatments—An Explorative Study. Journal.

Puckett, J. A., et al. (2019). Coping with Discrimination: The Insidious Effects of Gender Minority Stigma on Depression and Anxiety in Transgender Individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(9), 1637-1653.

Scandurra, C., et al. (2018). Internalized Transphobia, Resilience, and Mental Health: Applying the Psychological Mediation Framework to Italian Transgender Individuals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 508.