Since November 2024, the majority (57%) of LGBTQ people—including 84% of transgender and nonbinary people—have made significant life decisions or taken steps in response to LGBTQ-related politics or laws according to a new survey by the Movement Advancement Project. These include considering or actually moving to a different state; considering or actually finding a different job; attempting to update legal name or gender markers on identity documents; crossing state lines to receive medical care, and much more.
Across nearly every measure, transgender and nonbinary people reported taking these actions at much higher rates, sometimes even twice or three times as often. For example:
- 55% of transgender respondents have taken steps to be less visible as an LGBTQ person in their community, such as at work or school, compared to 24% of all LGBTQ respondents.
- 43% of transgender people have considered moving to a different state, compared to 25% of all LGBTQ people.
- And, 9% of transgender people report they’ve actually moved to a different state since November 2024, as have 5% of all LGBTQ people.
- 36% of transgender people have considered finding a different job or place of work, compared to 18% of LGBTQ people.
- And, 22% of transgender people have actually changed jobs or workplaces since November 2024, as have 11% of all LGBTQ people.
These are remarkably sobering findings that reflect the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that many LGBTQ people and their families across the country are currently facing—and the very real and difficult choices about their lives that they are being forced to consider. This is especially true given the relatively short period of time considered by the survey (November 2024 to June 2025). This suggests that, as political attacks on LGBTQ people continue, these numbers may grow even higher.
The news isn’t all bad however. LGBTQ+ people also report taking actions to participate in and protect their community, not only themselves or their families.
Survey results reveal the important and often significant steps or decisions LGBTQ people have taken to protect themselves or their families since the November 2024 election. It also shows that LGBTQ people reported taking various actions to participate in or protect their community, in response to LGBTQ politics or laws—and again, transgender and nonbinary people reported these actions at much higher rates.
For example:
- 21% of LGBTQ people—and 38% of transgender people—have joined or started participating in LGBTQ community or recreational opportunities where they live.
- 20% of LGBTQ people—and 42% of transgender people—have joined or started participating in LGBTQ advocacy or activism where they live.
- 18% of LGBTQ people—and 31% of transgender people—have taken steps to be more visible as an LGBTQ person in their community.
