Trump Said There are Only Two Genders, so You don't Exist: The USAID Backlash Against LGBTQI+ in Malawi

Trump’s decision to stop USAID has meant that Malawian landlords are evicting LGBTQI+ renters and that hospitals are refusing to help LGBTQI+ patients. There are also increasing reports of physical attacks against LGBTQI+ persons. Malawians are now telling LGBTQI+ persons: “You do not exist! Even the American government is not recognizing you.”
Image created by Joanna Kędra. Blog post by Laura Stark.
Published
11.3.2025

In Malawi, as in many other African countries, the more money you have, the more society sees you as a potential contributor for the good of all. Even though LGBTQI+ experiences are greatly misunderstood by the general populace, as long as people heard that USAID was funding NGOs that helped LGBTQI+ persons, they believed that LGBTQI+ were receiving money directly from these NGOs. That made LGBTQI+ appear slightly more “useful” in society.

Trump’s decision to stop USAID has meant that Malawian landlords are evicting LGBTQI+ renters and that hospitals, doctors and nurses are refusing to help LGBTQI+ patients. One NGO staff member told us:

Now that those obligations [from USAID] have been removed, many providers are hesitant to offer the same level of dignity and care […] bringing back a degree of hostility.

There are also increasing reports of physical attacks against LGBTQI+ persons: the same NGO worker told us that his organization is struggling to keep safe houses open with no resources and “rising cases of violence”. Fellow city residents are telling LGBTQI+ persons that

now, because services are stopped and the projects that you were benefiting from are gone, now you’re going to suffer, you’re going to be in trouble.

Malawians listened closely when Trump signed an executive order recognizing only a person's gender assigned at birth. While signing, Trump stated: "there are only two genders, male and female." Malawians are now telling LGBTQI+ persons: "You do not exist. If even the American government is not recognizing you, what about here in Malawi?"

According to another NGO worker: "this is a catastrophic situation […] that will lead to the deaths of transgender persons."

See also other blog posts from the ACACIA Project:

11.2.2025: USAID Cuts May End the Dream of Non-Violent Future for LGBTQI+ People in Africa

12.2.2025: When Being LGBTQI+ is Illegal - The Worst Wardships Came from Police and Self-Styled Vigilante Gangs

18.2.2025: The Police Asked Doctors to Test if We Were Really ‘Gei’ – Four Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa

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