The United States, long viewed as a global leader in democracy and human rights, has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, a list reserved for countries experiencing significant declines in civil liberties. This development, which unfolded in March 2025 under President Donald Trump’s second term, sends ripples far beyond America’s borders, including through Australia’s own LGBTIQ communities.
Why Was the U.S. Added to the Watchlist?
International groups such as CIVICUS, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have cited a dramatic rollback of civil and democratic freedoms in the U.S. since January 2025. The causes include:
- Aggressive Executive Orders
Over 125 executive orders by Dounald Trump have dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. DEI efforts, which had focused on supporting LGBTIQ and other marginalised groups, were labelled as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” by the U.S. administration. - Crackdown on Protests and Civic Participation
Legislative pushes in at least 12 states now threaten to criminalise peaceful protest, including those for LGBTIQ rights, climate justice, and pro-Palestinian solidarity. Many states introduced bills restricting mask use at demonstrations, increasing surveillance, and imposing harsh penalties for civil disobedience. - Media and Civil Society Suppression
Journalists critical of the administration have faced bans and intimidation. Federal funding for non-profits working with marginalised communities—including LGBTIQ organisations—has been slashed. - Foreign Policy Retreat"The administration dismantled crucial programs like USAID and withdrew from international bodies such as the World Health Organisation and UN Human Rights Council, undermining global cooperation on human rights.
Impact on LGBTIQ Communities in the U.S.
The deterioration of civil liberties has profoundly affected LGBTIQ people, with historic increases in discriminatory legislation and social exclusion:
- Record Number of Anti-LGBTIQ Laws: In 2024, over 533 anti-LGBTIQ+ bills were introduced. By 2025, nearly one thousand bills across 49 states targeted trans and gender-diverse people, restricting healthcare, participation in sports, access to bathrooms, and inclusion in education.
- Trans Rights Under Siege: President Trump’s Executive Order 14168 instructs federal agencies to disregard gender identity and recognise only “biological sex,” encouraging discrimination and exclusion of trans and non-binary people across government services.
- Socioeconomic and Intersectional Harm: Trans people—especially people of colour—face disproportionate poverty, housing insecurity, and violence. Over one in five LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. live in poverty, with rates much higher among Black and Latinx trans people.
