Fear of potential policy changes that might target their rights has led transgender youth in the United States to seek help in record numbers since Donald Trump’s election.
Many are worried about the rollback of protections, particularly the potential exclusion of transgender students from Title IX protections, which cover issues like bathroom use, pronouns, and locker room access.
Trump’s campaign prominently featured anti-transgender themes, and ads like one that aired over 15,000 times—stating “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you”—have fueled anxiety among transgender and nonbinary teens.
This rhetoric is being linked to a sharp increase in calls to crisis hotlines, including the Rainbow Youth Project, which reported over 5,500 calls in just 10 days, compared to their usual monthly total of 3,700.
One 16-year-old nonbinary teen from Alabama, distressed by the political climate and the negative messaging surrounding transgender issues, turned to a crisis hotline over the election weekend.
The teen’s mother, Carolyn Fisher, shared that her child’s mental health has worsened, partly due to bullying at school, with classmates mocking their identity and claiming Trump’s presidency would force them “back in the closet.”
The calls for help reflect broader concerns about the emotional toll that such political discourse is taking on vulnerable transgender youth.
As the incoming administration prepares to act on its agenda, support groups are urging greater attention to the mental health needs of transgender youth, emphasizing the need for compassionate care and solidarity in the face of rising hostility.
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