In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s win last week, The Trevor Project saw a massive increase in calls, texts and chats. The suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth saw a nearly 700% rise in communications compared to weeks prior.

Election-related concerns among young people contacting the nonprofit skyrocketed by nearly 5,200% compared to averages leading up to election day.

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The overwhelming outreach confirmed the results of a recent national survey by The Trevor Project and Morning Consult that revealed 90% of LGBTQ+ young people said “their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics.” 

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“The Trevor Project wants LGBTQ+ young people to know that we are here for you, no matter the outcome of any election, and we will continue to fight for every LGBTQ+ young person to have access to safe, affirming spaces – especially during challenging times. LGBTQ+ young people: your life matters, and you were born to live it,” said Jaymes Black, the organization’s CEO, in a statement following the election.

The Trump campaign and associated groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, spent nearly $215 million vilifying the LGBTQ+ community and trans people with ads portraying Democrats as radical in their support for “they/them” while Trump and fellow Republicans were “for you.”

Even before the ad onslaught reached critical mass in airings during NFL games in October, transgender youth, in particular, were feeling the weight of Republicans’ demonization following the passage of dozens of anti-trans bills in at least 19 red states.

A Trevor Project study of 61,000 respondents published in September found concern over anti-trans legislation increased suicide attempts in the past year among transgender and nonbinary youth in the United States by as much as 72%.

In 2024, 43 state legislatures introduced a record 664 bills targeting the trans community, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, four times the number introduced in 2022. 45 of those bills passed.

Trump has vowed to outlaw gender-affirming care for minors and says he’ll ask Congress to pass a bill “establishing that the only genders recognized by the United States government are male and female, as assigned at birth.”

LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD has tracked 225 instances in which the former president, his administration, or campaign impeded progress or rolled back established policy for the trans community via executive orders, legislative support, speeches, and nominations since 2016.

“It’s going to be daunting for our community,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, the group’s president and chief executive officer.

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for youth via chat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.

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