In the early hours of Wednesday, when Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential race, there was a significant surge in calls and texts to a prominent LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization. The outpouring of anxiety over the election results was overwhelming.
The Trevor Project has observed a remarkable surge of 700 percent in the volume of calls, texts, and chats compared to previous weeks. This organization provides a crucial support system for LGBTQ+ youth who grapple with feelings of depression, self-harm, or suicide as they navigate coming out to their families or confront discrimination. Unfortunately, due to the increased demand, there are currently longer wait times for these vital services, which is particularly challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals during this sensitive period.
According to a spokesperson for the Trevor Project, conversations with LGBTQ+ youth reveal that they are feeling afraid, confused, and anxious about the election’s outcome. The organization’s crisis services typically provide support to queer and trans youth aged 13 to 24 as they navigate various challenges related to relationships, gender identity, and coming out. However, an overwhelming number of young LGBTQ+ Americans are now reaching out for emergency assistance, describing their distress as “election anxiety” in their text and chat messages to the helpline.
These pleas for help do not occur in isolation. They stem from a political climate that has elevated transphobia to the forefront of politics, particularly during Trump’s campaign. With a budget of over $20 million, the former president’s campaign disseminated ads that portrayed trans individuals as detrimental to society and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her support of trans rights.
Trump even expressed his intention to implement highly discriminatory policies targeting the LGBTQ+ community in his second term, including measures that would hold teachers accountable for affirming students’ gender identities. Some of these proposals echo the anti-LGBTQ+ laws enacted by certain states in recent years.
State laws targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the intense rhetoric surrounding them have had a detrimental impact on the mental well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. The Trevor Project has previously conducted research in conjunction with the polling company Morning Consult that showed state proposals aiming to restrict the rights of LGBT+ youth in educational institutions, sports, and medical settings have hurt their mental health.
A recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior by the Trevor Project further supports these findings, indicating that state laws specifically targeting transgender individuals have resulted in an increased likelihood of suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth in the past year.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, expressed concern over the alarming increase in crisis services outreach. However, Black emphasized that the organization is not caught off guard by the detrimental impact of the recent surge in anti-LGBTQ+ policies on the mental health of young individuals. Acknowledging the weight of the current political climate, Black highlighted the significance of LGBTQ+ youth understanding that they do not have to bear this burden in isolation.
“Young people in the LGBTQ+ community, your life is valuable, and you deserve to live it fully,” Black emphasized.
The Trevor Project advises LGBTQ+ youth to take a breather from news and social media, muting notifications when they need to unwind and seeking out supportive communities, whether online or in person. They also recommend utilizing various resources, such as contacting the Trans Lifeline for assistance and attending meetings tailored for individuals coping with post-election grief. Additionally, they suggest reaching out to hotlines like THRIVE Lifeline and Steve Fund through text messaging or calling the LGBT National Youth Talkline. Another option is to connect with a counselor via the Crisis Text Line.
Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ+ legal group, has curated a comprehensive compilation of state-level resources specifically designed for LGBTQ+ youth. These resources encompass a range of supportive programs and community centers that offer mentorship opportunities.
For LGBTQ+ teenagers seeking to connect with like-minded individuals and engage in conversations about shared interests, Q Chat Space provides an inclusive online community. Additionally, parents of LGBTQ+ youth can locate state and local PFLAG chapters throughout the country or participate in virtual meetings to access valuable support networks.