By Moselaunch 
Following the recent election, crisis hotlines have reported an alarming increase in calls from transgender and nonbinary youth across the United States. Many of these young individuals are concerned about the future implications of former President Donald Trump’s return to office, given his campaign’s sharp focus on restricting transgender rights. Trump’s stance, including promises to revoke key protections and impose new limitations, has intensified fears of discrimination and limited acceptance for this vulnerable group.
During Trump’s campaign, his team aired advertisements framing his position against what he termed “radical gender ideology,” targeting supporters who believe recent support for LGBTQ+ rights has gone too far. According to the AdImpact media tracking firm, Republican ads focusing on transgender issues aired over 290,000 times since March 2023, stirring distress among LGBTQ+ youth who feel the ads cast their identity as a social threat. This narrative has led to significant emotional strain; crisis hotlines, such as the Rainbow Youth Project, have received over 5,500 calls from LGBTQ+ youth in the 10 days following Trump’s election win, up from a monthly average of 3,700 calls.
For some LGBTQ+ youth, this political shift hits close to home. One Alabama teen, who identifies as nonbinary, reached out to a crisis hotline after experiencing an escalation in bullying and despair. According to their mother, the relentless ad campaigns amplified her child’s feelings of isolation and fear, and the renewed hostility from peers has left her child contemplating withdrawal from school. This instance reflects a broader trend where political discourse has seemingly empowered certain individuals to express overt discrimination against transgender students, creating an environment where students feel pressured to “go back into the closet.”
Trump’s administration is expected to prioritize a reinterpretation of Title IX, a landmark civil rights law initially established to prevent gender discrimination in education. The Biden administration had expanded this legislation to include gender identity and sexual orientation, allowing transgender students protections in public schools, including pronoun preferences and access to gender-aligned restrooms. However, Trump’s pledge to revert Title IX to a biologically binary understanding of sex could eliminate these protections, affecting millions of students nationwide.
Beyond Title IX, Trump has proposed even more extensive changes. In alignment with conservative viewpoints, he advocates for a nationwide prohibition of gender-affirming care for minors, effectively stripping transgender youth under 18 or 19 of medical options like hormone therapy or surgery. Trump has also proposed a bill to define gender as strictly male or female, which could severely impact the rights and recognition of nonbinary individuals. For transgender athletes, Trump’s plan includes banning “biological males” from participating in girls’ sports, framing this policy shift as essential to preserving “fairness” in female athletics.
The situation has also prompted LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to bolster their support networks for young people navigating these challenging circumstances. Organizations such as the Rainbow Youth Project have expanded their virtual outreach through peer support groups and online town halls, providing a platform for LGBTQ+ youth to connect and share their experiences. Other groups, like It Gets Better, focus on social media channels, offering hope and resources to those feeling isolated. Executive Director Brian Wenke of It Gets Better notes that this shift to online platforms aims to create inclusive communities where youth can feel safe and understood, even amidst political and social adversity.
The pushback from conservative circles has also raised concerns for students who, until recently, felt a growing acceptance in schools and communities. With the new policies likely to embolden restrictive practices, some LGBTQ+ youth are considering relocating to more inclusive states or countries. Jude Armstrong, a transgender senior in New Orleans, has protested state-imposed limitations on pronoun usage and discussions of gender identity in schools. With the anticipated federal rollback of protections, Armstrong and others feel compelled to reconsider their future, weighing the potential benefits of staying and advocating for change against the risks of facing intensified hostility.
However, leaving isn’t a viable solution for everyone. Alejandro Jimenez, a transgender college sophomore in Texas, dreams of becoming a theater teacher and serving as a role model for LGBTQ+ youth. Yet, he now faces a dilemma, torn between his commitment to remain in his home state and fears for his safety due to heightened social tensions on campus. This sense of unease is shared by many LGBTQ+ students, particularly in conservative regions, where opposition to gender inclusivity has visibly increased.
As the new administration prepares to implement its vision, LGBTQ+ advocates warn of the potential consequences for any school or institution attempting to uphold inclusivity. Trump’s platform proposed that schools promoting “gender ideology” could lose federal funding, effectively discouraging the provision of supportive environments for transgender students. Elana Redfield, federal policy director for the Williams Institute at UCLA, describes this scenario as dystopian, where efforts to foster acceptance could be punished rather than encouraged.
In these uncertain times, community support is critical. Eli, an 18-year-old trans college student and ambassador for It Gets Better, emphasizes the importance of connection, reminding peers they’re not alone. “You will get through this,” Eli said, offering encouragement to those facing this challenging climate. With allies and resilient communities, LGBTQ+ youth are determined to persevere, striving toward a future where they can live openly and safely, regardless of political shifts.