LGBTQ+ crisis hotlines have seen a significant increase in calls following Trump’s win in the presidential election. As the country prepares for four years with Donald Trump pushing the racist, transphobic, and misogynistic Project 2025 agenda, many LGBTQ+ youth are scared for what the future holds.
The LGBTQ+ community is undoubtedly fearful, The Trevor Project, a youth LGBTQ+ suicide prevention intervention organization, reported a 125% increase in calls and messages on election day and the day following.
According to Pink News, Rainbow Youth Project’s executive director Lance Preston said calls received to their organization were based in the “Fear that we will lose our children to suicide and fear of the challenges this new administration will set for us.” Rainbow Youth Project also told The Washington Post that in just the first six days of November, they had already exceeded their average monthly call rate.
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration in January, LGBTQ+ organizations and civil rights groups are mobilizing to protect Americans who may be at risk of losing their rights. For example, the ACLU has drafted a petition entitled “Defend Trans Freedom” anticipating the upcoming SCOTUS case on trans healthcare.
What’s at stake? Trump’s campaign was brimming with false information and hateful rhetoric, much of which was centralized around mass deportation and crackdowns on immigration policy, anti-trans rights, and other conservative values championed by the Heritage Foundation.
Across the nation, sports spectators were served anti-trans ads during commercial breaks, and during Harris and Trump’s only debate, Trump fear mongered conservatives claiming immigrants were “eating dogs.” At campaign rallies he also claimed students were having gender-affirming surgeries at school. Trump also made transphobic promises along the campaign trail like his guarantee that he would ban transgender athletes from women’s sports.
Advocates like chief executive at The Trevor Project, Jaymes Black, are staying positive. “I know many young people may be questioning what this election means for their futures, wondering if the outcome changes their ability to live openly, to live authentically, to live fully,” Black said.
Black went on to emphasize: “I want to say with all my heart, your life matters and you were born to live it. Trevor will always be here to support you, to listen and to offer the care you deserve. Our commitment to LGBTQ+ youth has always been about people, not politics. We believe that creating safe, affirming environments for LGBTQ+ young people is above politics. It’s about ensuring every young person feels valued, respected and seen.”
