On Jan. 21, 2026, a demonstration against anti-trans legislation was held at Seattle Pacific University in Martin Square. Students, staff and faculty gathered to listen to SPU community members speak out against the Trump Administration’s policies relating to transgender people and the abolition of diversity, equity and inclusion practices. This was the first on-campus political demonstration at SPU since Jan. 2024.

Gail McMillan, a fourth year majoring in psychology, organized the demonstration with Isabel Braskamp, a second year majoring in mechanical engineering. When McMillan was a freshman, the student body was regularly speaking up in response to a series of lawsuits filed against Seattle Pacific’s Statement on Human Sexuality. Pride flags were dispersed around campus and the first Redacted Fest took place, organized by Haven, SPU’s club dedicated to being a safe community for LGBTQ+ students and allies. McMillan was inspired to recultivate the attitude of change from that year through this demonstration.

“I’ve had [this demonstration] in my head since we started the year. SPU has been really quiet for a long time, and I was a freshman when the lawsuits started happening. There were protests involving SPU every other week,” McMillan said.

McMillan, Braskamp and sociology professor Kevin Neuhouser met with Chuck Strawn, the dean of students and interim vice president for student life, to discuss a resource fair-style event. They decided to hold a demonstration instead to prioritize student speakers. After this decision, they brought on Adeline Smith, a second year majoring in political science and honors liberal arts, to help. While Braskamp and Smith promoted the demonstration, McMillan found faculty speakers.

Reverend Sara Koenig, professor of biblical studies, was the first to speak. She was followed by McMillan, whose speech focused on Executive Orders 14168, 14173 and 14190. At the demonstration, McMillan and faculty members explained how these policies alienate trans women and prevent the recognition of biases our society holds against marginalized peoples. They emphasized that the fallout of these orders will affect everyone regardless of gender identity.

“For some of you, those who stay away from the news or those who don’t have trans friends or family, the problems these executive orders pose seem far away. I’m here to tell you these issues are right at your doorstep and affect people you know and respect,” McMillan said.

Protests on SPU’s campus in 2023 had a larger attendance than this demonstration. McMillan said that despite this, it was encouraging to see any participation.

“Affirming staff and faculty has been shrinking rapidly. The student body has been shrinking in general, affirming or not. It gives me a lot of joy to see anyone outside of organizers and speakers show up,” McMillan said.

McMillan commented that this demonstration was not against any SPU policies. It focused on national executive orders to bring attention to the lasting impacts of the Trump Administration in students’ lives beyond college or graduate school.

“Never once did we criticize the board or SPU’s policies or the president. This was strictly about outside administration,” McMillan said. “If all we’re ever demonstrating against is SPU’s policies, that is such a small part of our lives. Our administration is making changes in our lives outside of college.”

Apart from continuing to show up to demonstrations, students wanting to make a difference were encouraged to vote and spend money consciously to avoid funding businesses that support discriminatory practices and policies.

“The easiest, and the cheapest, and the most healthy thing you can do is reach out to other members of our community. There is always a hand outstretched,” McMillan said.