A recent survey conducted by Folx Health, a US-based LGBTQ+ digital healthcare service, has unveiled significant anxiety among transgender and non-binary individuals ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.
Initially carried out just days before President Joe Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign, the survey was re-run following his withdrawal and Kamala Harris’s subsequent replacement.
The survey, which garnered over 1,500 responses from LGBTQ+ individuals across every state, filtered down to an analytical sample of 1,239 transgender adults. The findings from Transgender Perspectives on the 2024 Election indicate that a staggering 92 per cent of trans and non-binary respondents feel anxious about the upcoming election.
While overall feelings of “enthusiasm” and “hopefulness” remained low, there was a notable increase in these sentiments following Biden’s exit from the race and Harris’s entry. Hopefulness among respondents rose from 14 per cent to 42 per cent, and enthusiasm increased from 8 per cent to 32 per cent.
The survey highlighted that nearly nine in ten trans individuals believe the election will significantly impact access to LGBTQ+ healthcare across the nation. Additionally, more than half (58 per cent) of respondents have considered relocating to another state due to discriminatory policies and laws, particularly those living in states with poor LGBTQ+ rights records, such as Texas, Florida, and South Dakota.
The political climate surrounding the election has also taken a toll on the mental health and emotional well-being of trans adults, with 86 per cent reporting negative effects. Furthermore, 67 per cent expressed concerns for their family’s safety, and 68 per cent reported strained relationships with family and friends.
In response to these challenges, 76% of those surveyed have taken protective measures, and 41% have expedited their pursuit of gender-affirming care.
One respondent described the upcoming election as “incredibly important,” comparing the anxiety they feel to that experienced during the 2020 election. They expressed fear for their lives and those of their loved ones should conservatives gain power.
Another respondent voiced similar concerns, fearing Donald Trump’s return to the presidency: “I feel my life and the lives of others are at stake. I wonder daily if I need to prepare to flee or hide.”
A third respondent echoed this fear, stating: “I am terrified of Trump winning. If he presses the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation he’s campaigning on, I will have to either flee the country or live in hiding.”
However, some respondents expressed optimism following Biden’s departure from the race. One shared, “I hope the election brings positive changes that will improve our community and provide more opportunities for growth and well-being.”
