NEW BEDFORD — In response to executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, who declared that official U.S. policy would recognize only two sexes, bypassing the transgender and non-binary community, local Rochester student Alia Cusolito, co-president and co-founder of Queer Youth Assemble, stands unwaveringly in defense of the transgender community.
“For me and everyone I am close with, it’s very heavy feelings,” said Cusolito, who identifies as a queer non-binary/trans person and uses they/them pronouns.
“It’s a lot of confusion, and the unknown of what executive orders like this are actually going to do. They don’t cause immediate policy changes, but over time, they’re going to lead to shifts in how all of our systems function and treat trans people.”
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Cusolito said during Biden’s administration, there wasn’t an imminent threat of LGBTQ+ civil rights moving backward so quickly on a federal level. Now, it’s both — federal and state.
“Just knowing that so many people need support keeps me going,” Cusolito said. “Even if something I do can’t change the laws, I can still support people on a community level.”
Alia Maria Cusolito graduated in the top 10 of the class of 2024 at Old Rochester Regional High School. They are queer and trans and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Cusolito said they agreed living in New England, particularly Massachusetts, has advantages compared to other states.
“I feel lucky, in terms of the legal side of things. There are more protections for marginalized people here,” they said. However, Cusolito also said in the last few years they witnessed negativity within her own community toward trans and LGBTQ people.
“Just because we live in states that are a little better doesn’t mean we don’t have a fight as well.”
Witnessing anti-LGBTQ hate on a local level
In 2022, Old Rochester Regional High School found itself at the center of controversy over books that feature LGBTQ+ characters and people of color. Despite these books not being part of the curriculum, their presence in the school library sparked backlash in the community.
“Some parents complained at School Committee meetings. People would show up and yell openly hateful things about trans people or queer people in general,” said Cusolito.
With claims of inappropriate content, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment seemed to be the undercurrent driving many of the complaints.
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When a formal review was finally initiated, all the disputed books were deemed appropriate and remained on the shelves. “Thankfully, they had that process actually set up at our school, and all of the books remained in the library,” Cusolito added.
However, those debates didn’t end there.
“Some people who have been on the Select Board or on our School Committee … are no longer in those roles because they basically just supported trans people,” Cusolito added.
“It was just really difficult to recognize how many people in my local community just really don’t care about me or my friends.”
An Episcopalian bishop pleaded with Donald Trump to have compassion on LGBTQ and migrant communities amid his push to carry out mass deportations across the country.
Pastor tells Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ community
According to USAToday, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde pleaded with Trump during an inauguration prayer service Tuesday to “have mercy” on transgender children.
“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives,” Budde said.
The pastor’s remarks followed a first day of Trump’s second term in office that included a flurry of executive actions, one of which declared that the federal government recognizes only male and female as the only gender. It reversed protections for transgender people put in place under former President Joe Biden.
“It is important to recognize not only the harms that Trump commits with his language, but the very real and very scary policy impacts he will likely have very soon,” Cusolito said.
Fighting for the rights at a local and national level
Cusolito’s personal experience with harassment at school prompted them to create the Gay-Straight Alliance club at her school. “My friends and I didn’t have a GSA club, so I wrote an essay to my principal to start one. That jump-started my interest in building community and advocating for myself and others,” they said.
After that, they co-founded Queer Youth Assemble, a Boston-based advocacy group that provides support for queer and trans young people.
Cusolito continues to help supportive communities, particularly online, providing resources and a sense of belonging to young individuals who might otherwise feel isolated.
A person holds an LGBTQ+ flag during the Equality Kansas Advocacy Day rally at the Statehouse Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
“Especially in times like these, it’s important to connect people,” Cusolito said. “We shouldn’t give up before we have to. … We need to take full advantage of what’s still accessible.”
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For those who may be scared by the current political landscape, Cusolito said it’s OK to do what feels right and safe for you.
“Whether that’s being open or being more reserved about your identity, there are people who will love and support you,” they said.
Resources for LGBTQ young people
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The National Transgender Leadership Conference, https://ntlcc.org: Cusolito serves as vice president for administration
Material from a USA Today story by Marc Ramirez was used in this report.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Rochester student Alia Cusolito reacts to anti-LGBTQ policy by Trump
