There’s no sugarcoating it: this year was not without a commotion for trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people nationwide.

2024 saw the worst anti-trans legislation to date, with 669 bills introduced as tracked by Trans Legislation Tracker. Bullies killed 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedictas a result of a fight at school in Oklahoma, while a community in Pennsylvania grieved 14-year-old trans girl Pauly Likens, whose body parts were found scattered across a lake.

Not to mention that the future of trans healthcare hangs in the balance as the U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court case tackles Tennessee’s Senate Bill 1, signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in 2023 to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. The case also asks the court to rule on whether trans Americans are protected by the Constitution. Including Tennessee, 26 states have implemented varying degrees of gender-affirming care bans.

2024, however, did not come without hope and progress despite its political turmoil. Moving towards the direction of LGBTQ rights, Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a “gay/trans panic defense” law, prohibiting courts from allowing this defense in homicide cases. With this, Michigan became the 20th state to enact a law of this kind.

Trans activists made their voices known following a bathroom sit-in demonstration protesting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, who proposed H.Res 1579 on Nov. 18. The resolution would prohibit House members, officers and employees of the House from using single-sex facilities other than those “corresponding to their biological sex,” ultimately banning transgender people from using restrooms in the House. The demonstration made waves following the arrest of 15 participants of the sit-in who demanded justice.

Additionally, states across the country are enacting “shield” or “refuge” laws, to ensure protection and safety for those crossing state lines to receive gender-affirming care, declaring themselves safe haven states.

With 2025 making its turn around the corner, five trans and nonbinary leaders share with Reckon their wishes for the year ahead.

Pidgeon Pagonis (they/them)

1. Healinggggggggggggggggg.

2. LOVE.

3. Joy and dancing and art making and mutual aid (& nature).

4. Coalescing together from our separate movements under one big umbrella movement fighting for bodily autonomy for trans and intersex (and all) people. (wait, I think I just want everyone to join Gender Liberation Movement lol).

5. Rejoicing together as we witness the downfall of capitalism and colonialism and the rising up of a free Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Haiti—basically a free everyone, everywhere. Autonomy for everyone, goddamnit and freedom for all. That’s what I *really* want because once we have that, everything else I am hoping for just kind of falls into place.

Peppermint (she/her)

My hope and vision for the trans community in 2025 is twofold. Our community is intersectionally descended from people who have overcome, persevered, and demonstrated immense resilience in the face of discrimination, oppression, and persecution. Resilience and resistance feel, at least to me, inevitable. The fight continues, not just into 2025 but far beyond.

In recent years, we’ve seen a fickle and often performative allyship—from individuals to corporations. My hope is that our love, humanity, and full selves are finally accepted, celebrated, and displayed openly and authentically.

Personally, I strive to draw lessons from tragedies and hardships. I believe that overcoming challenges provides opportunities for growth and learning, which build character. For LGBTQ+ people—especially trans individuals in Western culture—the barriers, discrimination, and difficulties we face create an infinite potential for growth. This growth not only benefits the individual but also radiates outward, enriching the lives of those around them.

Being trans is not without its challenges, but I wouldn’t trade my perspective for anything. I believe that those who endure such profound personal growth often emerge more in touch with the human condition and spirit. From that perspective, trans people are among the most enlightened—deeply connected to the essence of what it means to be human.

In a world that seems increasingly disconnected and inhumane, these are exactly the kinds of people I want to surround myself with. And dare I say, anyone who hasn’t experienced this type of transformation would be lucky to have a trans person in their life.

My hope for 2025 is that trans people are finally recognized for these attributes. I hope the world understands and appreciates the incredible value of being in the presence of those who are not only enlightened but also free from the societal norms and extremes that often limit humanity’s potential.

My hope and vision for the trans community is love and focus.

Ezak Perez (they/he)

I imagine two spirit, trans and non-binary communities evoke the spirit of our ancestors in order to take on the journey ahead. We are a part of a long legacy of resistance, which allows us to shapeshift to survive and care for each other. We will resource one another in both small and big ways: a home cooked meal, herbs from a friend’s garden and through other forms of mutual aid.

In doing this, we are reminded that we are not alone and never will be. Under no circumstances will we ever lose sight of finding joy and abundance in this lifetime, we deserve to find moments of collective rest and recharge. Our collective dreams will deepen our voices as future trancestors, ready to care for future generations.

Raquel Willis (she/her)

I wish for Gender Liberation for all. Healthier families, femininities, masculinities, and gender non-conformities. I wish for radical defiance in the mode of ancestors, trancestors, elders, and the youth. Those who found and find elation in painting the world with their own hues. I wish for abundance, living beyond measure. I wish for ferocious leadership, safety and security, more living, less dying, more freeing, less closing off, more hope, less fear.