For years, I have nurtured a dream. A dream of moving to America, a land of opportunity, where I could find a place to be truly free. I imagined building a life for myself, starting my own business, becoming wealthy, and maybe even famous. But now, as I watch the events unfold under Trump’s leadership, that dream seems more like a distant memory, slipping further and further away.

The Rise of Hate and Division

Trump’s presidency has fostered an environment of division and hatred. Policies aimed at undermining the rights of marginalized communities, particularly the trans community, have made it harder for us to live openly and without fear. The so-called “transgender military ban,” along with other measures meant to strip away the dignity and rights of trans people, has made the country feel unsafe and unwelcoming for individuals like me.
I’ve always believed that America, despite its flaws, was the land of freedom. But the government, under Trump, has shown time and time again that it does not care for the safety and well-being of all its citizens. The transphobic laws and rhetoric are proof of that. These policies aren’t just harming a group of people—they’re harming the future of the country. They’re destroying the very fabric of what America is supposed to represent.

The Fall of the Stock Market: A Symbol of a Broken System

Beyond the transphobic policies, there is the economic reality. Under Trump’s administration, the stock market saw extreme volatility. From the sharp drop in February 2020 at the start of the pandemic to the continued instability throughout his term, the financial markets have been anything but stable. The sharp rise and fall of the stock market, which I’ve seen firsthand, only serve as a symbol of a broken system.
In 2020 alone, the stock market experienced significant drops, including the historic crash in March 2020, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by over 2,000 points. While there have been some recoveries, the economic instability has left millions of people struggling. This is not the America I dreamed of.

The Need for Change: A Call for Justice

As I reflect on everything, I can’t help but feel that the America I imagined is slipping further from reach. But I still believe in the possibility of change. We need to hold the people in power accountable, especially when they are causing harm to vulnerable communities. The Trump administration must step down. The hate, the division, the inequality—none of these have a place in the America I dreamed of.
I am not alone in this fight. There are millions of us who want a better future, who want a future where we are accepted for who we are. A future where the transgender community isn’t seen as a threat, but as an integral part of society.

My Dream of America: A Call to Action

I have spent my entire life dreaming of the possibility of starting a new life in America. It was my escape, my hope, my dream. But under the current leadership, that dream seems impossible. The policies and rhetoric being pushed by the current administration make it feel like those dreams will never come true.
But I won’t give up. I can’t. I am going to keep fighting for the America I’ve always wanted to live in. An America where I can be who I am, without fear, without judgment. And I hope you will fight alongside me, alongside the millions of others who deserve better.

Personal Note

As I was writing this, my fingers were trembling. Because what I wrote isn’t just an opinion, it’s my life. I lived every letter, I wrote every sentence with feeling. America is not just a country to me; it’s a dream I’ve nurtured for years, a place of freedom, the place where I will finally become my true self. But that dream is now under threat. I don’t want to give up on it. Please, don’t give up on me and millions of other trans individuals. Maybe one day, in the America I’ve always dreamed of, we can take those first steps towards the life we deserve together.

With love,
Açelya

—