When Donald Trump ran for re-election in 2024, he ran a commercial tens of thousands of times, often during sporting events, that focused on trans people and Vice President Harris' affirming she would support gender affirming care for prisoners.

The line at the end of the commercials was "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you!" Trump and his allies also amplified some parents' concerns about queerness in schools, by exclaiming at a rally of over 20,000 people in New York City just days for the election he would "We will get … transgender insanity the hell out of our schools, and we will keep men out of women’s sports."

Since taking office, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their supporters have been relentless in staying focused on LGBTQ2S+-ness in schools and society, including removing the T from the Stonewall Memorial in New York City, the birthplace of the modern day LGBTQ2S+ Rights movement, and removals of historical LGBTQ2S+ peoples from government websites. The resistance has been strong and growing!

This session will engage in understanding Trump and conservativism attacks on LGBTQ2S+ people in the U.S.A. and what this means globally. We invite all to engage in an informative and productive session of global solidarity.

Michael D. Bartone works at Central Connecticut State University as an Associate Professor. He has contributed to several papers, chapters, and presentations internationally regarding both diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ related topics. Michael's work of LGBTQ2S+ educators and schools and society is squarely in the crosshairs of policies regarding LGBTQ2S+ and schools by the administration. Michael is representing himself. He is not representing or nor is he speaking on behalf of the university where he works or any other entity associated with him. 

Michael D. Bartone

Marit Jacobsen is the deputy director of The Norwegian Barents secretariat. Marit has a masters degree of law, and has worked with international relations for many years, both in Russia and other parts of the world.

Marit Jacobsen

This conversation will take place during Arctic Pride and will focus on how the international relations and winds are changing. Join us for a conversation between Marit and Michael at Amtmandens (Bakrommet) 14.11 kl.17:00.