Youth's Lives Every Day
Young people are listening. I’ve heard many people underplay the dangers of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, citing that “it’s just politics” or “these candidates are just trying to fire up the base.” They say that the Supreme Court will never overturn Obergefell vs. Hodges (the landmark Supreme Court cases which solidified marriage equality in all 50 states), even when at least one Justice has explicitly named Obergefell as a decision that should be revisited.
This year we’ve seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that are targeting young people. Even though The Trevor community has been instrumental in stopping the vast majority of harmful bills, just their introduction and the toxic discourse that follows can cause harm to LGBTQ+ youth mental health.
Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislative action have a profound impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. Nearly 2 in 3 LGBTQ+ young people said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ+ people at school made their mental health a lot worse. When 41% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and young people who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or people of color reported higher rates than their peers, people with a public platform have a responsibility. This is an uphill battle, but The Trevor Project’s team of advocates work hard to protect LGBTQ+ young people every day. In the meantime, what can we do as allies to support LGBTQ+ young people during election season?
The best way to support these youth is to ensure that these politicians don’t get into positions of authority. In 2024, 617 anti-LGBTQ+ laws were introduced, with 38 passed into law. With the election coming up, it’s more important than ever to elect candidates who won’t play politics with young lives. Do your research about the people on your ballots. When anti-LGBTQ+ candidates are defeated in elections, it shows young people that they have allies who will advocate for them — let them know they matter with your vote and your voice.
If you can’t vote or if you’re a young person who wants to advocate for yourself, there’s still a lot you can do. Talk to your parents. Call your aunt. Call your neighbor. Tell them that when anti-LGBTQ+ politicians get into power, they make life harder for you and the people you love.
Making young people feel safe during an election in which they have been targeted by candidates also means ensuring they feel loved no matter the outcome. When there are negative comments about the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important to remind young people in your life that they deserve to be loved for who they are. Continue to affirm them and let them know these harmful words aren’t true and aren’t how you feel.
People often feel pressure to have a perfect affirming conversation. But it can be as simple as letting them know you are a safe person who sees them and holds space for them. As always, let them know that resources like the Trevor Project exist to support all LGBTQ+ young people day and night, not just for when they’re in crisis, but to talk through all sorts of things, even the impact of political discourse during the election season.
It’s also important to educate yourself about LGBTQ+ issues. Start by reading our Trevor Project guides to familiarize yourself with how to approach LGBTQ+ mental health or sexual orientation; knowing how to have affirming conversations can help combat a political climate that can be dangerous for LGBTQ+ young people. Remember that affirmation from people closest to them is extremely impactful: LGBTQ+ young people who reported feeling accepted by the adults in their lives typically had more than 40% lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year.
Elections have consequences, and when anti-LGBTQ+ politicians get into power, they debate or pass laws that tell our kids that their existence isn’t valid. Young LGBTQ+ people just want to be known and loved, and growing up is hard enough. As we vote, we have the power to show that harmful words (and laws) have consequences. In the meantime, we need to do everything we can to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people through affirmation, resources, and advocacy.
In the meantime, the best thing we can do is make sure we are making our voice heard at the ballot box:
- Register to Vote or Check Your Registration Status:
- Visit Vote.org for registration and status checks.
- Voting Options:
- Prepare for Barriers:
- Need Help?: If you face any voting issues or need assistance, call 866-OUR-VOTE.
- Make a Plan to Vote:
- Decide your voting day and time.
- If voting by mail, plan when to submit your ballot.
- Arrange transportation or adjust your schedule as needed.
If You Can’t Vote: Even if you’re not eligible to vote, you can still contribute by sharing your experiences and encouraging others to vote. Your voice and advocacy are vital for shaping our future. Stay informed and prepared—let’s make an impact together!
