Melania Trump shares rare statement to LGBTQ+ community

Melania Trump has issued a rare public statement addressing the LGBTQ+ community but its message may have left some observers puzzled.

The First Lady is known for not granting many interviews or speaking out publicly as much as her predecessors.

But following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a West Virginia law restricting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports, the First Lady Melania voiced support for such restrictions while also saying she ‘fully’ supports the ‘LGBTQIA+’ community.

“As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community. But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected,” she shared on X, noting she first declared this stance in her memoir.

“America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes. Respect everyone and keep girls’ sports fair. Both ideals are essential,” she added.

The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that states can ban transgender girls from competing on girls' and women's school sports teams, allowing laws in Idaho and West Virginia to remain in place.

Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh rejected arguments that the bans amount to unconstitutional discrimination based on sex or gender identity. He said states are allowed to base eligibility for girls' and women's sports on biological sex under both the Constitution and Title IX, The Hill reports.

The decision is expected to have a major impact on transgender students across the United States, as more states have introduced laws limiting transgender athletes' participation in sports that align with their gender identity.

The ruling comes amid a broader political debate over transgender rights, including access to gender-affirming care and participation in school sports.

Furthermore, in early 2025 it was reported that the Trump administration had erased all references to transgender people from New York’s Stonewall National Monument website.

The BBC reported The National Park Service removed references to ‘TQ+’ from the acronym LGBTQ+, leaving only ‘LGB’ on parts of its website.

Similar changes appeared across other US government websites since Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office recognising only two sexes, male and female.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and activists criticised the changes, arguing they erase transgender and queer identities.

The Trump administration has made restricting transgender athletes' participation in women's and girls' sports a key part of its goals.