Actress Julia Roberts has spoken out in support of LGBT+ students who are fighting for equality under the Trump administration.
In a statement for People, Roberts has written about meeting Miguel Johnson—a transgender teenager and LGBT+ activist from Missouri.
“I had the pleasure of presenting with Miguel at the GLSEN Respect Awards, and Miguel, like all the students I meet there, is smart, kind and incredibly brave to live their life openly and honestly at such a young age,” writes Roberts.
“As a parent, I want all students to feel safe and protected at school, and I stand with Miguel and trans students across the country. You are loved.”
16-year-old Johnson—who is part of GLSEN’s national student leadership team—says that LGBT+ students have been misled by President Trump.
“Before Trump got elected, he always said he was totally for LGBTQ students, because they’re people too and they deserve an education," says Johnson.
“And then after he got elected, he was basically like, ‘Just kidding, I lied'.”
GLSEN Director of Communications Chris Tuttle says the rollback of protections for transgender students is having an immediate effect on students, including Johnson.
“Since the recession of the transgender-inclusive Title IX guidance and introduction of two anti-trans state bills (HB202 & SB98) in Missouri, Miguel’s school has become less supportive and is now signalling potential roadblocks ahead.”
Johnson says that “The feeling went from, ‘Trump is supporting LGBTQ students, so I should too,’ to ‘Well, if he doesn’t care, I don’t need to either'."
