Many LGBTQ+ Americans Are Planning To Leave The Country. What Will Happen If I Stay?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/many-lgbtq-americans-are-planning-to-leave-the-country-what-will-happen-if-i-stay/ar-AA1xv1Cp?ocid=windirect&cvid=493493c933414da691866b1b08e602eb&ei=5

Story by Laura Leigh Abby (20 Jan 2025)

Last summer, as the presidential election loomed, my wife and I talked frequently about what it would look like if we decided to take our two kids and leave the country.

After Nov. 5, my plan was to cry. All the time. But I had to make dinner for my kids and do the laundry.

I have a professional acquaintance in the Midwest who, like me, is queer, married, and raising two kids. I had an unusually difficult time getting her on the phone for our early November interview. When I finally did get to speak with her, she confessed why she'd been so busy. It wasn't simply the exhausting aftermath of an election that devastated much of the queer community; she and her trans husband were moving their family abroad.

For now, my family is staying put and turning to our community for strength. I can't imagine leaving my loved ones, even as I mourn the future that I wanted for my children and the rights we stand to lose. Every LGBTQ+ American is faced with a choice right now about how to stay safe, how to move forward and how best to embody our own queer resistance. It's okay if that resistance looks like a relocation abroad, engaging in activism or just simply existing as usual and living our everyday lives.

I think many would not be able to easily afford to leave or find it impractical to leave.

Then again there are many who can afford to leave just say they will and then they choose not not leave.  Just a bunch of talk from most.

I am concerned for those who truly believe they are at risk and danger.  Many do.  It is a real fear. 

There are many countries where it would not be good to be a visitor or resident and that has nothing to do with LGBTQ+ status.  For some countries, it does have to do with criminalization and harsh penalties for people simply being LGBTQ+.

Likely there just needs to be a wait of a few more generations and people will be generally more accepting.  There has been some progress.  Unfortunately, that is not the best situation for many of us adults, but this gives hope to children and upcoming generations who are LGBTQ+.  There may be some waves of regressing and progressing towards the better times for us all.

Let's hope for fairness, love, and greater understandings and acceptance.

Every week I speak to many of my US friends on zoom, and in recent weeks they have quoted me the flight costs to get them to Australia. I point out to them that the cost of living here is almost 50% higher than the US, and immigration is difficult, but their fears outweigh these concerns. Many have applied for passports since the election.

Relocating to another country is not simple or cheap, and puts at risk supports like medical and retirement benefits. It needs to be thoroughly planned to be successful.

Hugs,

Allie

It looks like US passports may only have M or F for the sex designator, no more X designations.
Although I personally would not request an X designation, I realize that it may be meaningful for many of us in the LGBTQ++ spectrum.

I feel for my friends in the US who have such terrible choices to make.  I totally understand the motivation to leave.  My wife and I have discussed some SHTF (Stuff Hits The Fan) scenarios if Canada succumbs to the same lunacy: which country to move to.  We would face higher costs of living with lower income, since out pensions would be subject to an additional tax.  But the fact that we have talked about it means that I do get the urge to flee.

And yet, I think it is the wrong response.  The more people who stay and fight, the more influence they will have.  By keeping the resistance in the public eye, there is a hope of rolling back the damage when the next administration takes over.  By leaving, you capitulate and allow the oppression to continue and escalate.

A friend of mine was working with another Trans woman to start an organization to move us to Iceland. Unfortunately we lost her in October.

Quote from: KathyLauren on January 20, 2025, 05:20:54 PMAnd yet, I think it is the wrong response.  The more people who stay and fight, the more influence they will have.  By keeping the resistance in the public eye, there is a hope of rolling back the damage when the next administration takes over.  By leaving, you capitulate and allow the oppression to continue and escalate.

This. Kathy is spot on.

It won't be forever. Once the... lol... best term I heard for him... the Peach Calligula... once he's done.. he's done. People need to stay to have a US for people to fight for. Things go in cycles. You need to pick up the pieces of your country, and maybe the world, once Trumpula has done with it... again.

Just... for all that's holy don't find a way to get this cretin back in power for a third time. If you do... you're going to be looking very hard for sympathy. Twice is bad enough.

This is going to be a long battle, and it will take me a long time to process it. But I trust that many legal organizations will step up and counteract this attempt to erase us. Fleeing the country is not an option for me, not because of financial barriers, but as a testament to my dignity. Fortunately, I have my biweekly appointment with my mental health and gender therapist at 9 AM Eastern time, this morning. We have a lot to discuss. Heaven help us, with these psychological operations.