LGBTQ+ Americans Fleeing to Canada Surges by 760% Post-Trump

UPDATE: The exodus of LGBTQ+ Americans seeking refuge in Canada has surged by an astonishing 760% since the recent re-election of Donald Trump. Campaigners report a dramatic rise in inquiries amid escalating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation across the United States.

According to Rainbow Railroad, a charity dedicated to helping LGBTQI+ individuals escape persecution, they received 4,197 calls from U.S. residents in the first eight months of this year—up from just 491 during the same period last year. “The overwhelming majority of individuals want support with international relocation,” said Latoya Nugent of Rainbow Railroad. “They want to get out of the U.S. because they’re afraid of living here.”

The urgent demand for assistance spiked dramatically following Trump’s re-election in November, leading to over 1,100 calls within just 24 hours. “For the first time in our history, the U.S. emerged as the number one country where people request help from,” Nugent stated, emphasizing the deepening fears among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Since taking office, Trump has launched a relentless campaign against the LGBTQ+ community, announcing that the U.S. would only recognize two genders and signing executive orders that target transgender individuals, including those in the military and in sports. Data from Glaad reveals that in his first 100 days, LGBTQ+ individuals were targeted a staggering 255 times through policy changes and inflammatory rhetoric.

The political climate has prompted a wave of legislative actions, with 604 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced at the state level, as tracked by the American Civil Liberties Union. States like Utah have started banning LGBTQ+ flags at government buildings, with others likely to follow suit.

The data from Rainbow Railroad indicates that about 61% of their callers identify as transgender, highlighting the particular vulnerability of this group amid the current administration’s policies. “Trans-identified people have become the first line of attack against the entire LGBTQI+ community,” Nugent remarked.

Despite these fears, the pathways for relocation to Canada remain limited. Most callers are advised that their best options are through economic pathways or family reunification. However, recent legal developments are sparking hope. In July 2023, a Canadian judge halted the deportation of a non-binary artist from Minnesota, citing the poor conditions for LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S.

Another case capturing national attention is that of Hannah Kreager, a 22-year-old transgender woman from Arizona, who filed an asylum claim after crossing into Canada. Her lawyer, Yameena Ansari, views this case as potentially landmark, as it may challenge the perception of LGBTQ+ persecution being limited to non-Western countries. “Historically we’re talking about people from east Africa, west Africa, we’re talking about people from Russia,” Ansari explained. “But now, I feel more convinced that she has a legitimate claim.”

With debates intensifying surrounding Kreager’s asylum claim, many are starting to realize that the threat to LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. is not just a domestic issue but a humanitarian crisis. “If she goes into a federal building, she cannot pee in the right bathroom,” Ansari pointed out, stressing the dire implications of Trump’s policies on individuals like Kreager.

As the urgency mounts, Rainbow Railroad reports an influx of calls from those inspired by Kreager’s determination to seek asylum. “Her courage has inspired a lot of people in her community,” Ansari concluded. “There’s a lawyer who sees their pain and doesn’t dismiss it.”

This unfolding situation highlights the increasing desperation among LGBTQ+ Americans seeking safety and acceptance beyond U.S. borders. As the political landscape continues to shift, the calls for help are only expected to grow.