It has certainly been a year of extremes for the nation’s LGBTQ community. Besides seeing a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills in 2023, LGBTQ people also experienced the mainstreaming of anti-trans hate, the erosion of protection against hate speech on social media, and a new U.S. House speaker with an extensive history of anti-LGBTQ views. But despite the recent explosion in hateful rhetoric, the community also celebrated victories it says should not be eclipsed by negativity. “The silver lining in this year of challenge is the incredible way LGBTQ people and our allies continue to show up for…