A new report by The Trevor Project and Movement Advancement Project reveals that more than a quarter million LGBTQ+ young people and their families in the U.S. have relocated to other states due to LGBTQ+-related politics or laws. The report highlights that 9 in 10 LGBTQ+ young people feel that politics have impacted their well-being, with 4 in 10 considering moving to another state because of unfriendly LGBTQ+ politics or laws at home. Transgender and nonbinary youth were even more affected, with 94% stating that politics have affected their well-being and 45% considering relocation.
The report comes amidst the Trump administration’s focus on gender identity issues, with recent executive orders seeking to remove legal protections for transgender individuals. The impact of these policies on LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health is evident, as shown by a 33% increase in crisis services on Inauguration Day. The report emphasizes the need for more inclusive policy environments to support LGBTQ+ young people and their families, citing research that shows the negative effects of hostile policy environments on mental health and suicide risk.
The report is based on data from The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which collected responses from over 18,600 LGBTQ+ individuals aged 13-24. It also incorporates data from Movement Advancement Project, highlighting the disparities faced by LGBTQ+ people of color in terms of resources and access to services. The report calls for advocacy and policy changes to better support LGBTQ+ young people and their families in the face of hostile political climates.
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