According to a recent survey, a staggering 70 percent of LGBTQ+ adults, with as many as 85 percent of transgender adults, believe that LGBTQ+ Americans are currently experiencing a “national state of emergency.”
Data for Progress has reported alarming findings, revealing a decline in the quality of life and mental health, along with increased experiences of discrimination, harassment, and difficulties accessing healthcare.
A majority of LGBTQ+ adults, with 53 percent of them, have expressed that their mental health has been adversely affected by recent anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric. This sentiment is especially strong among transgender adults, with 79 percent of them feeling the negative impact. Additionally, 65 percent of LGBTQ+ adults between the ages of 18 and 24 also reported a negative impact on their mental health. The situation is concerning, as 65 percent of transgender adults believe that the quality of life for LGBTQ+ Americans has deteriorated in the past year.
The impact of these policies is also evident in the fact that 44 percent of transgender adults have either considered moving or have already relocated from their community or state due to the presence of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Furthermore, a significant number of trans adults, 61 percent, have personally encountered anti-trans remarks from individuals within their social circle, such as family members, friends, co-workers, or neighbors. These statistics highlight the distressing consequences of anti-LGBTQ+ measures on the mental well-being and overall experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
According to a survey conducted by Data for Progress, over 60 percent of transgender adults expressed concerns about facing discrimination or harassment in various situations. These include seeking healthcare from a new provider, with 73 percent expressing concerns, using public bathrooms (68 percent), visiting non-LGBTQ+ bars or nightclubs (64 percent), and engaging in public displays of affection with their significant other (62 percent).
According to Delphine Luneau, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the survey findings are not shocking to many transgender individuals. Luneau stated that it is well-known within the trans community that our safety and well-being are often disregarded in various situations. Moreover, the survey results confirm that we are frequently subjected to lies and political manipulation, while those who demonize us are not hesitant to express their views directly to our faces. Luneau personally relates to these experiences and concerns.
In 2023, a record-breaking 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were signed into law, prompting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to declare a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans, a first in its 40-year history. The HRC labeled this surge in legislative assaults as “unprecedented and dangerous,” emphasizing the urgent need for action.
According to Todaro, Republicans and right-wing media have been focusing a lot of attention on the transgender community in an attempt to divert attention from their unpopular policies. They are using issues like transgender athletes and healthcare for trans kids and their families as distractions from their agenda to cut Social Security and provide tax breaks to the wealthy. Todaro believes that this strategy is being used to align with the views of Donald Trump.
The authors of the report highlight the significance of LGBTQ+-affirming communities, policies, representation in media, and online spaces and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals. They discovered that over 75% of LGBTQ+ adults express a preference for living in cities or states that have implemented pro-LGBTQ+ policies and nondiscrimination protections. Additionally, 86% of respondents desire to work for a company with explicit policies safeguarding LGBTQ+ employees, while 76% express a willingness to support brands that have publicly shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
A significant number of transgender adults (68 percent), LGBTQ+ adults aged 18 to 24 (57 percent), Latino LGBTQ+ adults (51 percent), and Black LGBTQ+ adults (51 percent) emphasized the significance of LGBTQ+ representation in media in their journey of self-discovery and acceptance of their LGBTQ+ identity.
Todaro emphasized that TDOV serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable advancements that the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the transgender community, has achieved over the past decade. This progress is evident in the increased visibility of transgender individuals in the media and public affairs. However, the survey’s findings reveal that there are still significant disparities within the LGBTQ+ community that need to be addressed. Additionally, trans people continue to face numerous challenges in their daily lives.
