According to a national LGBTQ+ organization, crisis support services for the LGBTQ+ community have experienced a significant rise in calls during election week.

The Trevor Project reported an increase of roughly 125% in the use of its crisis services, including lifelines, chat, and text options, starting around midnight on Tuesday. Jaymes Black, the CEO of The Trevor Project, shared this information in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to this spike, there was already a 200% increase in discussions related to elections at The Trevor Project’s crisis services during November 3-4, determined by the frequency of terms like “election” and “rights,” as indicated in a news announcement.

The heightened demand for support reflects the LGBTQ+ community’s concerns as they are often mentioned in conversations about the presidential campaign and apprehensive about upcoming legislative changes.

Connecting those in need

In anticipation of the election and in response to the outcome that former President Donald Trump has been elected for a second term, various LGBTQ+ organizations at local, regional, and national levels have expanded their resources.

Aaron Schekorra, the executive director of The GLO Center, an LGBTQ+ resource center in southwest Missouri, expressed his goal of providing support for his local queer community amid his disappointment and anxiety about the election results. The GLO Center operated for several hours on Wednesday to create a safe space for “post-election decompression.”

Meanwhile, larger organizations like The Trevor Project are maintaining their crisis hotlines as more LGBTQ+ individuals seek help.

“One of our primary objectives is ensuring that vulnerable community members are linked to our support networks,” Schekorra stated to YSL News. “This way, when we begin to feel the effects of this election, we can respond and ensure these individuals have access to the necessary resources and safety.”

Increase in election-related calls to hotlines

The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, conducted in late 2023, revealed that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that their well-being has been adversely affected by current political events.

“We want LGBTQ+ young people to understand that we are here to support you regardless of any election result,” Black stated. “Your lives are significant, and you are meant to live them fully.”

Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit providing free, confidential text-based mental health support, also introduced an election-specific hotline on September 16. This free, 24/7 service allows individuals concerned about the election to connect with mental health supervisors, clinicians, and volunteers. As of Thursday morning, the hotline remained operational.

Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer of Crisis Text Line, reported that since early September, discussions involving political topics have occurred over 1,500 times on the text line, including increased engagement from LGBTQ+ individuals.

On Friday, November 1, 48% of users on the Crisis Text Line identified as LGBTQ+. By Election Day, that figure increased to 56%.

“Concerns regarding LGBTQ+ issues have become one of the sources of election-related stress in our conversations, often arising from conflicts with family members, losing friends to political disagreements, and social media disputes,” Turner mentioned to YSL News.

Concerns over gender-affirming care and other issues

Among the LGBTQ+ community, gender-affirming care and non-medical transitions, especially for children, are major concerns, particularly given the opposition to transgender rights highlighted during Trump’s campaign.

Leading up to the election, the Trump campaign and several Republican organizations had invested over $21 million on anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans advertisements, according to ABC News as of October 9.

During a rally in October at Madison Square Garden, Trump told his supporters he would eliminate “transgender insanity” from schools and prohibit men from participating in women’s sports, as reported by the Associated Press.

Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz, a psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience working with LGBTQ+ youth, noted that leading up to this presidential election, many LGBTQ+ teens expressed fear over socially transitioning due to worries about violence, bullying, and rejection. These fears differ from those seen in previous years.

“In the past, kids felt a better sense of belonging and had supportive environments in schools and other places, but now they worry they can’t count on their peers or adults to support them,” Ortiz-Schwartz told YSL News.

Satterly, a professor of social work at Widener University in Pennsylvania, has been happily married to his husband since 1993, a time when same-sex marriage wasn’t legalized federally until 2015. Looking ahead, Satterly is concerned about the future of his marriage.

“I never thought I would witness marriage equality in my lifetime, and now I’m anxious it could be reversed,” he stated.

Trump has had changing opinions on same-sex marriage over the years. During his 2016 campaign, he mentioned he might appoint Supreme Court justices who would challenge the 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage, citing it as a “state’s rights issue.” However, after winning the presidency, he claimed there were no intentions to overturn the ruling, as he believed it was “settled by the Supreme Court.”

‘Connect with your community’

Schekorra emphasized how important it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to engage with their peers.

“In the aftermath of disappointing election results, many queer individuals tend to isolate themselves, which isn’t beneficial,” he remarked. “The best recommendation is to get involved and establish a support network, especially if you didn’t have one before.”

Satterly supported Schekorra’s message, suggesting that if meeting other queer individuals in person isn’t feasible, online connections can be a great alternative.

A notable example is TrevorSpace, an online platform for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-24. Created by The Trevor Project, TrevorSpace provides discussion forums and a writing club, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for its members.

How can allies offer support?

Satterly highlighted that the key role of allies is to acknowledge and validate the worries of their LGBTQ+ loved ones.

He also suggested simple acts of kindness, like preparing a meal, helping with chores, going out to eat, or just spending time together watching a movie.

“When someone wants to discuss their feelings, ask them what they need—whether it’s a hug, food, problem-solving, or just silent companionship,” said Satterly. “These approaches are much more helpful than offering unsolicited advice.”

Examining Trump’s actions regarding LGBTQ+ issues

Since being elected in 2016, Trump has backed certain anti-LGBTQ+ measures and those supporting them.

In 2018, his administration advised the CDC to avoid using terms like “transgender,” “diversity,” “vulnerable,” and “science-based” in official communications.

In 2019, Trump opposed the Equality Act, which aimed to modify the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prevent discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This legislation is still a topic of discussion but has not been enacted.

While in office, Trump also barred transgender individuals from serving openly in the military, reduced HIV/AIDS funding globally, and advocated for exemptions that would let health care providers deny services to transgender individuals and those with HIV/AIDS, according to previous reports by YSL News.

YSL News reached out to Trump’s campaign for comments on his stance regarding LGBTQ+ laws but did not receive a response by the deadline.

Resources for the LGBTQ+ community needing support

• LGBT National Hotline: Call 888-843-4564
• LGBT National Youth Talkline: Call 800-246-7743
• LGBT National Senior Hotline: Call 888-234-7243
• The Trevor Project: Chat online at thetrevorproject.org/get-help/, call 1-866-488-7386, or text “START” to 678-678.
• SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) Hear Me: Visit sageusa.org/hearme/ to create a free account
• Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

This article has been updated to reflect accurate attribution concerning Crisis Text Line.