In recent years, the United States has made strides, albeit imperfect, toward becoming a more inclusive nation. One that upholds the dignity of all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or background. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, once seen as foundational to progress and national strength, are now under attack. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, myself included, this regression is not just disheartening. It is dangerous.
We are witnessing a chilling rise in rhetoric and policy efforts by the current U.S. administration aimed at dismantling DEI programs and marginalizing already-vulnerable groups. This includes limiting funding for diversity initiatives, banning discussions of gender identity in schools, weakening workplace protections, and outright demonizing LGBTQ+ individuals for political gain.
I want to be clear: this is not a debate about “ideological neutrality” or “restoring fairness.” This is about erasure. This is about turning the clock backward on decades of hard-fought rights and the belief that difference is not a weakness, but a strength.
The LGBTQ+ Community Is Not a Threat – We Are a Thread in the American Fabric
I grew up believing that the promise of America included me. That my identity as a gay person was not at odds with my identity as an American. And like countless others, I serve, contribute, and lead with pride and purpose. LGBTQ+ individuals are your teachers, your nurses, your service members, your neighbors and we are integral to the story of this country.
Yet today, our community is being vilified in ways that echo the darkest chapters of our past. Instead of focusing on real threats like climate change, cybersecurity, and global competition, we are forced to defend our right to exist in the workplace, at schools, and in public spaces. This is not only cruel but is a national security risk.
Why Diversity Is a Strategic Asset
Diversity is not a box to check like it used to be. It is a strategic imperative. The U.S. military, Fortune 500 companies, global think tanks, and top research institutions have long recognized that diverse teams outperform homogenous ones. When we bring different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives to the table, we innovate more boldly, solve complex problems more creatively, and adapt rapidly to change.
In sidelining DEI, we are sabotaging our ability to lead on the world stage. We are weakening our competitive edge at a time when authoritarian powers are rising and democratic institutions are under strain. How can we claim moral authority abroad when we abandon inclusion at home?
Compassion Is Strength
This is a call to remember who we are. America’s story has always been one of pluralism of disparate people coming together to build something extraordinary. To those who feel threatened by DEI or the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community, I offer not condemnation, but compassion. Fear is powerful. But, so is love and truth.
DEI does not ask anyone to give up their identity. It asks us to expand our circle of concern. It helps us to recognize that equity for one does not mean exclusion for another. It is possible to honor tradition and still embrace progress. It is possible to protect freedoms without scapegoating communities.
Moving Forward Together
To my LGBTQ+ siblings, and to all who believe in equity and inclusion: you are not alone. This moment demands courage, yes, but also clarity. We must continue to lead with empathy and resist with dignity. We must defend the right to be who we are, love who we love, and contribute fully to the nation we call home.
To policymakers, business leaders, educators, and neighbors: let us not allow short-term political gain to compromise our long-term moral and strategic strength. We need to reject hate masquerading as “tradition.” We need to continue to build a nation where everyone has the freedom to flourish, not just in word, but in practice.
Because the strength of America has never been in its sameness. It has always been in its diversity.