LGBTQ+ Americans Seek Refuge in Canada Amid Rising Fears

The number of LGBTQ+ Americans contemplating relocation to Canada has surged following the re-election of Donald Trump. Activists report that growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in the United States, including over 600 bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights, has led many to seek safety across the border. Organizations such as Rainbow Railroad have seen an unprecedented spike in inquiries, reflecting the increasing anxiety among LGBTQ+ individuals about their rights and safety in the US.

According to Latoya Nugent, who works with Rainbow Railroad, the charity received 4,197 calls from individuals in the US during the first eight months of 2023, marking a staggering 760% increase compared to the same period in 2022. “The overwhelming majority of individuals who are reaching out want support with international relocation, which translates to ‘I want to get out of the US because I’m afraid of living here,’” Nugent explained.

The organization typically fields around 12,000 calls annually from across the globe, yet the phones began ringing off the hook in November, with more than 1,100 calls received in a single day after Trump’s re-election. Nugent noted, “For the first time in our history, the US emerged as the number one country where people request help from.”

The political climate has fostered fear among many. Since returning to office, Trump has implemented policies that significantly impact the LGBTQ+ community, including recognizing only two genders and enacting executive orders that restrict transgender individuals’ access to military service, sports, and gender-transition procedures for those under 19. Advocacy group Glaad identified that during Trump’s first 100 days in office, LGBTQ+ individuals faced at least 255 attacks via policy changes and inflammatory rhetoric.

The legislative landscape is similarly alarming. Politicians in various states have introduced 604 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Notably, Utah became the first state to prohibit the flying of LGBTQ+ flags at government buildings and schools, with numerous other states following suit.

At Rainbow Railroad, approximately 61% of callers identify as transgender. Nugent emphasized the growing apprehension among callers, stating, “If you are aware of what’s happening globally, you know that this is the beginning of the worst that is to come.” She expressed concern that trans individuals have become the primary targets of attacks against the entire LGBTQ+ community.

The options for those seeking refuge in Canada remain limited. Many callers are informed that relocation is most feasible through economic pathways or family reunification. Nevertheless, two recent immigration cases have sparked hope. In July, a Canadian judge halted the deportation of a non-binary artist from Minnesota, citing a failure to consider the current conditions for LGBTQ+ individuals in the US.

Another significant case involves Hannah Kreager, a 22-year-old transgender woman from Arizona, who filed an asylum claim in June after entering Canada. Kreager’s lawyer, Yameena Ansari, describes the case as potentially precedent-setting, highlighting the specific targeting of the LGBTQ+ community by the Trump administration. Ansari stated, “Historically, we’re talking about people from east Africa, west Africa, we’re talking about people from Russia or from Islamic countries, we are not talking about America.”

The outcome of Kreager’s case could reshape how Canada views asylum claims from individuals fleeing the political climate in the US. Ansari is preparing to argue that there is no safe state for Kreager to relocate to within the US, pointing out the lack of protections for transgender individuals. “If she goes into a federal building, she cannot pee in the right bathroom,” Ansari noted.

Kreager’s pursuit of asylum not only represents her personal struggle but also resonates with many others facing similar fears. Ansari remarked that Kreager’s courage has already inspired others in the LGBTQ+ community to seek help, as news of her case circulates. “Already just her courage in bringing this forward has inspired a lot of people in her community,” she said, emphasizing that her client’s actions could pave the way for others seeking refuge.

As calls for assistance continue to rise, the situation remains precarious for many LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States. The growing number of inquiries to organizations like Rainbow Railroad underscores a pressing need for support and viable pathways to safety as fears surrounding the political climate deepen.