We bet you came to HomoCulture today expecting tips on traveling, finding a partner, or how to deal with straight women at Pride festivals (yes, we see you, Becky). 

Don’t worry, those topics are still on our radar, but today, we’re tackling something bigger: Trump’s America 2.0 and its potential impact on LGBTQIA+ education and rights.

With Linda McMahon’s surprise nomination as Secretary of Education, we’re seeing headlines that could make your morning coffee taste bitter. 

But don’t panic-scroll just yet—we’re here to break this down, with all the facts, some humor, and a roadmap for what this could mean for our community.

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We are publishing one article each week leading up to Inauguration Day. 

All done?  Good boy. 

Now, let’s talk something less cozy than your Sunday morning coffee: Trump’s second act and Linda McMahon’s unexpected debut as the Secretary of Education. 

Spoiler alert—it’s not all steel chairs and body slams, but it’s just as dramatic.

Who is Linda McMahon and Why Did Trump Choose Her as Secretary of Education?

Linda McMahon’s unexpected nomination as Secretary of Education in Donald Trump’s second administration has raised eyebrows, but let’s break it down and explore what this means for LGBTQIA+ education and rights.

Linda was born in North Carolina and initially trained as a teacher. She majored in French at East Carolina University, but her career in education ended before it started. 

She joined forces with her husband, Vince McMahon, to build the global wrestling empire we all know today, WWE. 

So far, we can’t say she is all bad because without her we probably never would have gotten to see Darren Young, the first WWE gay wrestler to publicly come out as gay, shirtless on TV putting his crotch in another man’s face.  

Not to mention, it’s through the WWE that we have trans icons like Gabbi Tuft who has taken her story of transformation from the wrestling ring to TikTok. 

Previously Gabbi went by Tyler Reks as a pro wrestler in the WWE.

In the past few years she has amassed a massive following and inspired trans people to live authentically.

Say what you will about the McMahons, but without Linda, we wouldn’t have the iconic image of Darren Young, WWE’s first openly gay wrestler, confidently putting his crotch in another man’s face. Progress, folks!

While McMahon’s wrestling roots seem worlds apart from the education sector, her tenure in business and philanthropy has provided a surprising connection to educational initiatives. 

Through WWE, she led programs like Get R.E.A.L. which promoted literacy using wrestling stars to engage fans. 

Her philanthropic work shows some connection to education, even if it’s minor.

What Does Linda McMahon’s Political Track Record Imply About LGBTQIA+ Rights in Education? 

Let’s just say her political record is as mixed as a martini made by someone who thinks vermouth is optional—tax cuts, sure; education? Ehh…

After leaving WWE, she threw her hat into the Senate race in both 2010 and 2012, with a platform that screamed “Tea Party”: tax cuts and government shrinkage were the main attractions, while education reform was barely a side note. 

What was her one notable nod to education? 

She pushed for expanded tax deductions for college savings accounts. Helpful? Sure – but hardly groundbreaking. 

To sum it up, education has always been a supporting role in Mcmahon’s political narrative, but never the headliner and we see this in her track record. 

Disaster relief loans? Check. Modernized platforms? Check again. 

But Linda McMahon’s time as head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) wasn’t just about improving operations and distributing disaster relief. 

Her tenure also included efforts to support underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+ owned businesses.

Under McMahon’s leadership, the SBA actively worked to promote inclusion within its programs and services. In May 2018, following concerns raised by Democratic congresswomen and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the SBA reinstated LGBTQ+ resources on its website. 

According to the NGLCC, the restoration came after a direct conversation between Administrator McMahon and NGLCC leadership. This swift response highlighted her engagement with advocacy groups and her willingness to ensure LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs had access to essential tools and information.

The SBA’s collaboration with the NGLCC also facilitated increased access to education, funding, and certification opportunities for LGBTQ+ business owners. Programs like the LGBT Business Builder national tour and partnerships with organizations such as the NGLCC exemplified this inclusivity. 

One notable success under these initiatives was the recognition of Equator Coffee & Teas as the SBA’s National Small Business of the Year in 2016—the first time an LGBTQ+-owned business received this honor.

The proactive inclusion reflected a growing acknowledgment of the importance of diversity in driving economic empowerment.

Another strong point for our community under McMahon’s SBA leadership was the agency’s partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, which supports LGBTQ+-owned businesses through certification. 

The LGBT Chamber of Commerce certification helps LGBTQ+ owned small businesses:

• tap into corporate procurement programs
• gain access to mentorship and scholarship opportunities
• receive training to grow their enterprises. 

More details about these programs can be found on the SBA’s official page for LGBTQ-owned businesses.

By building economic inclusion for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, McMahon’s SBA helped highlight the value of targeted outreach and resource accessibility. 

While her appointment as Secretary of Education raises many questions, this aspect of her leadership demonstrates a capacity to support diverse communities—an angle that could provide hope for those concerned about LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in education. 

The tools she implemented for LGBTQ+-owned businesses may just be a blueprint for engaging marginalized groups in her new role, though time will tell how this translates into action.

What Does McMahon Want to do as Secretary of Education and How Could it Affect Our Community?

Now to get to the meat of this article, what could happen to our community when McMahon becomes the secretary of education?

Her vision as Secretary of Education aligns closely with the principles of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which she co-founded. 

AFPI has laid out several key priorities for education reform such as: 

• school choice
• deregulation
• a shift toward what it calls “patriotic” curricula

Her goals are designed to reduce federal oversight and empower parents and local governments to shape education policies in their communities.

The Expansion of School Choice Programs Within the Context of the LGBTQIA Community

One of the primary initiatives under McMahon’s leadership is the expansion of school choice programs, including vouchers for private and charter schools. 

Supporters of school choice argue that these policies, including vouchers and charter school programs, provide families living in underserved areas with alternatives to traditional public schools. 

For our community this is a powerful tool to access schools that prioritize inclusivity, support, and safety. 

The idea is simple: more options mean a better chance of finding a school where LGBTQIA+ students can feel supported and safe.

Take Multnomah County, Oregon, as an example where the youth within our community can thrive and a model we should all push to adopt. Their Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Community Schools Program shows how local control paired with strong community partnerships can work. 

Through SUN, LGBTQIA+ youth have access to services like counseling, teacher training, and LGBTQ-focused programs provided by organizations like the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC). 

These programs promote inclusion and also address real challenges, like bullying and homelessness, with initiatives like Unity House offering housing for LGBTQ youth.

The SUN model exemplifies how school choice, when paired with local leadership, can result in schools that offer far more than basic academics. It’s a glimpse into what’s possible when communities step up to meet diverse needs. 

Critics say school choice could drain public schools, but it doesn’t have to be a ‘winner-takes-all’ WrestleMania match. For LGBTQIA+ families, choice might be the difference between an inclusive school and one where teachers still flinch at the word ‘queer.’ Think of this like building your dream team on RuPaul’s Drag Race—the more choices you have, the better your odds of serving up a sickeningly supportive environment.

Lastly, we must remember that federal protections like Title IX remain in place across all schools receiving public funding. Changing Title IX rules isn’t like a WWE match where someone gets pinned in three seconds. It’s more like a marathon where every step requires public comments, hearings, and endless paperwork. 

Translation? The 2024 rule isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Of course, how these policies are implemented are yet to be determined. McMahon’s leadership at the Department of Education will operate within the constraints of existing laws, meaning Title IX will continue to influence practices in both public and private schools. 

Advocates on all sides will be watching closely to ensure that the rights of all students, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, are upheld. This ongoing dialogue will shape how school choice and federal protections intersect, offering both challenges and opportunities for progress.

What Will Happen to the 2024 Title IX Rule, and What Does It Mean for Us?

The future of the 2024 Title IX rule under the Trump administration is uncertain, but it’s far from a doomsday scenario. 

While it’s true that a new administration could rescind the rule or revert to the 2020 version, the reality is that several checks and balances make such drastic changes more complex than they may seem—and offer opportunities to protect LGBTQIA+ rights in education.

For starters, federal court rulings like Bostock v. Clayton County have firmly established that Title IX’s protections extend to sexual orientation and gender identity.  

Even if a new administration rolls back the 2024 rule, schools receiving federal funding will still be bound by these legal precedents. That means LGBTQIA+ students maintain critical protections, regardless of regulatory changes.

Additionally, undoing a federal rule isn’t as simple as Trump snapping his fingers. Rescinding or replacing the 2024 rule requires a formal rulemaking process that includes public comments and lengthy reviews. 

The rulemaking process for Title IX changes is complex and typically spans years, making it unlikely that any new rule would be finalized before late 2026 or early 2027. During this time, the 2024 Title IX rule will remain in effect for most schools, giving advocates the opportunity to mobilize and influence the direction of any proposed changes. For a deeper understanding of the regulatory process and its timeline, an overview from Thompson Coburn highlights how similar timelines have played out in the past.

Many states have enacted their own protections for LGBTQIA+ students, ensuring that these safeguards remain in place regardless of federal regulatory shifts. These state-level laws act as an additional layer of security for students. 

Moreover, schools have a strong financial incentive to adhere to non-discrimination principles tied to federal funding, which further encourages compliance with inclusive practices.

Drop a comment below and let us know: What kind of schools would you choose for your child in a school choice system?

What Does This Mean for the LGBTQIA+ Community?

While potential changes to Title IX under Trump’s administration are concerning, this doesn’t spell doom for LGBTQIA+ students or their rights. 

Instead, it’s a call to action. 

Federal courts have already interpreted Title IX to include protections for gender identity and sexual orientation, creating a legal foundation that transcends administrative shifts. 

State laws in many areas further reinforce these protections, providing a necessary safety net for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Rights aren’t like wigs—they don’t adjust themselves. Let’s be louder than the Pride after-party DJ and ensure LGBTQIA+ students know they’re supported, safe, and ready to slay every educational runway.

Let us be very clear: none of this happens without us. Rights don’t defend themselves. 

Advocacy efforts—whether through local organizations, national campaigns, or individual action—are now more important than ever. We must ensure that protections are upheld in every school and that any proposed changes are met with a loud, organized response.

The fight for inclusion and equity is ongoing, but the tools to win it are in our hands. 

Federal safeguards like Title IX, state-level protections, and the power of community organizing provide multiple avenues to shape the future. Now is not the moment to sit back—it’s a moment to double down on our efforts, ensure LGBTQIA+ students feel seen, safe, and supported, and remind everyone watching that progress doesn’t come without struggle, but we are unstoppable when we work together.

Get Started Today

The future of our rights depends on us staying informed, engaged, and active. Join advocacy efforts, support organizations fighting for equity, and use your voice to ensure LGBTQIA+ students are protected. Progress doesn’t come without struggle, but history has shown that when we work together, we’re unstoppable.

What do you think we can do to protect our community and advance inclusivity? 

Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the conversation—and the fight—alive.