Part 1: Make Your Support Visible
When the shadows get darker, we get brighter.
The attacks on DEI—although many of us are now using IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) to hack the algorithm and do better —aren’t random. They’re designed to exhaust, divide, and delay progress. When Trump removed “T” and “Q” (transgender and queer) from the National Stonewall Monument, it wasn’t just about two letters—it was an attempt to erase history and weaken a movement. When funding for cultural initiatives was slashed, it wasn’t just about money—it was about who gets to be seen and heard. When U.S. AID programs supporting vulnerable communities worldwide were cut, real lives were impacted.
So, where’s the good news? (Please, we all need some good news right now—I know.)
All this MAGA-madness has had an unintended effect: people are paying attention. Leaders, organizations, and individuals are recognizing that these aren’t just political games—they’re wake-up calls. The outrage cycle is giving way to action. More and more people are refusing to be distracted, instead focusing on real, sustainable progress.
This is where you come in.
Make Your Support Visible
- Publicly affirm your support—your teams, clients, and community members are feeling more vulnerable than ever. Support them, or risk losing them.
- Celebrate inclusive policies at work; show that inclusion isn’t up for debate—it’s part of who we are.
- Check-in with the 2SLGBTQ+ people in your life. Ask how they’re doing. Listen. Be present.
- Proactively counter misinformation. By building understanding first, you can prevent misinformation from gaining traction.
For many who feel vulnerable right now, silence feels like indifference. Real support counters fear. By making inclusion visible, we’re not just reacting—we’re strengthening the momentum society has fought so hard to build.
Kind is the smart. And we’re smarter.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore how to build spaces that prioritize connection over conflict.
Subscribe and share with a friend who needs some good news right now.
We’re in this together.
Thanks for spending time with me today,
Mischa Oak
Improving how the world talks and thinks about 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
World-class keynotes. LGBTQ Inclusion Training. Global leader in SOGI Education.