Crisis hotlines for the LGBTQ+ community have seen a significant surge in calls during the 2024 U.S. presidential election week, according to a leading LGBTQ+ support organisation.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, reported on Wednesday that since midnight on Tuesday, the group’s crisis services—including lifeline, chat, and text support—have received approximately 125% more contacts than usual. This increase follows a 200% spike in election-related conversations through the Trevor Project’s services over Nov. 3-4, with the organisation attributing the rise to keywords like “election” and “rights” in conversations.
The heightened demand for support reflects a widespread anxiety in the LGBTQ+ community, which has been a frequent topic on the presidential campaign trail. Many fear potential legislative changes following the election outcome, in which former President Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term.
In response to the election results, LGBTQ+ local, regional, and national organisations have extended their resources. The GLO Center, an LGBTQ+ support centre in southwest Missouri, opened additional hours on Wednesday to provide “post-election decompression” for the local community. Aaron Schekorra, the centre’s executive director, expressed his focus on ensuring resources are available for his community despite his own concerns about the election outcome.
“One of our most critical roles is to connect vulnerable individuals to supportive communities,” Schekorra told USA TODAY. “As we brace for the impact of this election, beyond just mental and emotional health, we must keep individuals safe and ensure they have the resources they need.”
The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, conducted late last year, revealed that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth felt their wellbeing had been negatively affected by recent politics. “The Trevor Project wants LGBTQ+ young people to know we are here for you, no matter the election outcome,” Black affirmed in a public statement. “Your lives matter, and you were born to live them.”
Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that provides free, confidential text-based support, launched an election-focused hotline on Sept. 16 to address election-related concerns. The 24/7 service connects individuals with mental health supervisors, clinicians, and volunteers. As of Thursday, the hotline remained active, with an increase in LGBTQ+ users reaching out.
Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line, noted that over 1,500 political conversations had taken place since early September, with a significant rise in LGBTQ+ users during this period. On Friday, Nov. 1, 48% of texters identified as LGBTQ+, a figure that rose to 56% on Election Day.
Turner noted that LGBTQ+ stress often stems from political conflicts with loved ones or the strain of social media arguments. “Political tensions have become a significant source of stress in our conversations, especially within families and friendships,” Turner said to USA TODAY.
