A new national survey has found that growing numbers of queer Americans, especially transgender and nonbinary people, are choosing to be less visible in their communities, citing fear and uncertainty following the 2024 presidential election. This was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Abigail Swetz, executive director of Fair Wisconsin, says the concern started almost immediately after the election.
She received emails asking, “Will I be flagged in a database? Can I safely change my name? Should my family move somewhere safer? … I’ve known this has been happening, but when you see it at scale, it adds a different weight.” The Movement Advancement Project (MAP), an independent think tank, surveyed over a thousand LGBTQ+ adults nationwide.
The study, released earlier this month, found that one in four queer adults, and more than half of transgender and nonbinary adults, have intentionally become less “out.” Respondents reported suppressing gender expression, moving out of state, or traveling for medical care. Sixty percent of transgender and nonbinary adults said they feel “very worried” for their safety and that of their families. Still, Swetz says she sees hope. “Our trans loved ones deserve our support. We have to stop it because if we don’t stop it now, more people won’t be safe from further attacks.”
