Study: LGBTQ youth, family relocate amid increasing anxiety over laws directed at them
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/study-lgbtq-youth-family-relocate-amid-increasing-anxiety-over-laws-directed-at-them/ar-AA1xFw87?ocid=windirect&cvid=2fde944693de481ca26557f3c7b5b1e2&ei=5
Story by Marc Ramirez (22 Jan 2025)
More than a quarter million LGBTQ+ young people and family members in the U.S. have relocated to other states because of LGBTQ+-related politics or laws, according to estimates outlined in a new report exploring the population's response to hostile policy environments.
According to the brief compiled by The Trevor Project and Movement Advancement Project, 9 in 10 LGBTQ+ young people say politics have impacted their well-being, while 4 in 10 say they've thought about moving to another state because of unfriendly LGBTQ+ politics or laws at home.
The portion was even higher for transgender and nonbinary youth, 94% of whom said politics had affected their well-being and nearly half (45%) who said they'd considered relocating.
"For many LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S., the steady stream of anti-LGBTQ+ news may feel overwhelming right now," said Steven Hobaica, a research scientist for the Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group focused on suicide prevention. "It's heartbreaking to see that nearly half of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered moving due to anti-LGBTQ+ policies."
While just 4% of LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 reported uprooting because of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, that translates to roughly 266,000 young people and family members based on LGBTQ+ youth population estimates, the groups said.
Hi Jessica Rose,
Ordinarily I lean very heavily into positive thinking as a way of being. I meditate every day, and I have bookshelves packed with self help and spiritual books. Since Monday I have been struggling to stay positive. I dread leaving the house, though I must go to work. I feel vulnerable and at risk just being outside or in the car.
My doctor of many years has a gender variant child in elementary school. A few weeks ago my doctor took an 18 month sabbatical without notice; her office sent out an email letting her patients know that she has moved her family out of the country with plans to maybe come back in 2026.
I've considered leaving the country, but where would I go?
Pro-democracy Americans need a leader! We need a leader who can organize us and pull us together for the fight ahead. Individually, hiding in our homes and keeping our heads down, we are easy targets. Pulled together and standing up for each other, we can be an unstoppable force!
When that leader appears, I will be the first onboard, ready to stand up for what's right! Ready to fight!
😡
Miharu