According to Russell T Davies, the election of Donald Trump as the US president has placed the gay community in “the greatest danger I have ever seen”, as conveyed in an interview with The Guardian at the Gaydio Pride awards in Manchester on Friday.
Davies, a screenwriter for Doctor Who, expressed concerns about the rising hostility, which is not confined to the US but has also become a problem in the UK.
As a gay man, he believes that “a wave of anger, violence, and resentment” is heading towards the community on a massive scale, noting a change in his own interactions since Trump’s election.
Davies insists he is not alarmist, drawing from his 61 years of experience, and asserts that the current threat to the gay community is the most severe he has witnessed.
Trump has rolled back protections for the LGBTQ+ community, restricted access to healthcare for transgender individuals, recognized only two sexes, and banned trans people from the military.
In his keynote speech, Davies used the platform to criticize not only Trump but also his ally Elon Musk, suggesting that the world is facing unprecedented darkness.
Reflecting on his experience coming out in 1981, amidst rumors of AIDS, Davies remembered how the community fought back. He referenced the importance of science, access to medicine, and the representation of gay and lesbian characters in media.
Looking back, Davies had hoped for a brighter future for the gay community by 2025. However, he believes the current threat is even greater than in the 1980s, likening the danger from America to an evil force rising in the west.
He criticized Elon Musk’s actions, including his treatment of his trans daughter and his impact on social media platforms, arguing that this represents a historical and terrifying scenario.
Nonetheless, Davies is optimistic that the gay community will come together and fight, as it has done in times of crisis, utilizing art and activism to resist oppression.
He envisions that even in a world led by figures like Musk, the gay community will find ways to meet, create, and rebel against the establishment, as art often thrives in underground settings.
