Omar Bennett
LGBTQ+ voters are an increasingly important voting bloc, with 7.6% of the American population identifying as LGBTQ+, and this subgroup is expected to grow to 17.8% by 2040. This means that the LGBTQ+ community could have a significant impact on the outcome of elections, particularly in battleground states where the race is projected to be close. In the 2020 election, LGBTQ+ voters played a decisive role in Joe Biden's win. As such, it is important for political campaigns to target the LGBTQ+ community and address their concerns. However, it is alarming that some politicians are willing to target this group with harmful and discriminatory policies and rhetoric. This has had a negative impact on the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, with 90% of LGBTQ+ youth reporting that their well-being was negatively impacted by the constant exposure to discriminatory bills and political discourse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| LGBT+ people are an emerging voting bloc | 7.6% of the American population identify as LGBT+ |
| LGBT+ voters are highly engaged | 7% of all voters in 2020 were LGBT+ despite only representing 4.5% of adults |
| Political campaigns have a negative impact on LGBT+ people | 90% of LGBT+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics |
| LGBT+ voters are motivated to vote | 94% of LGBT+ Americans are motivated to vote in 2024 |
| LGBT+ voters prefer Democratic candidates | LGBT+ likely voters prefer a Democratic candidate by +63 percentage points nationwide |
| Anti-LGBT+ politics mobilizes more LGBT+ voters | N/A |
| Anti-LGBT+ politics is a losing strategy | 53% of registered and likely 2024 voters would oppose a political candidate who speaks frequently about restricting access to healthcare and sports for transgender youth |
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What You'll Learn
- LGBTQ+ voters are a consequential voting bloc
- Anti-LGBTQ+ politics are mobilising more LGBTQ+ voters
- Political discourse negatively impacts LGBTQ+ people's mental health
- Republicans face no political cost for targeting LGBTQ+ people
- Legislation to close legal gaps would positively impact LGBTQ+ people's health
LGBTQ+ voters are a consequential voting bloc
The LGBTQ+ community makes up 7.6% of the American population, and their voting preferences could have a significant impact on the presidential race, particularly in battleground states. In the 2020 election, LGBTQ+ voters were estimated to be 7-8% of the overall electorate, and their votes played a crucial role in Joe Biden's victory in several close contest swing states.
The voting preferences of the LGBTQ+ community also have implications for political parties. LGBTQ+ voters overwhelmingly support the Democratic Party, and this trend is likely to continue as long as the Republican Party promotes laws that are detrimental to the LGBTQ+ community. A 2024 GLAAD poll found that 53% of registered voters would oppose a candidate who frequently speaks about restricting access to healthcare and sports participation for transgender youth.
The LGBTQ+ voting bloc is expected to grow, with a projected surge to 17.8% of eligible voters by 2040. This growing bloc is also highly engaged in politics, with LGBTQ+ adults accounting for 7% of all voters in 2020, despite only representing 4.5% of adults. As such, the LGBTQ+ voting bloc is an important demographic for political campaigns to consider, and their voting preferences can significantly influence election outcomes.
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Anti-LGBTQ+ politics are mobilising more LGBTQ+ voters
LGBTQ+ voters are an increasingly important voting bloc in the US, with 7.6% of the population identifying as LGBTQ+. This group is highly engaged in politics, with a 2020 exit poll showing that LGBTQ+ adults accounted for 7% of all voters, despite only representing 4.5% of adults.
A March 2024 GLAAD poll found that 49% of LGBTQ+ voters had experienced bullying and harassment, and 72% said their mental health had declined due to negative political discourse. The same poll showed that 94% of LGBTQ+ Americans are motivated to vote in the 2024 election, with 67% planning to vote for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump due to their priority of advancing LGBTQ+ equality and combating anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
The presence of LGBTQ+ elected officials can reduce the likelihood that discriminatory bills are introduced and passed. The LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organisation dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders, reports that there are now over 1,100 LGBTQ+ officials.
The need to use voting to fight back against discriminatory legislation has made the LGBTQ+ community more enthusiastic about the 2024 election. A September 2024 poll found that 95% of LGBTQ+ adults are registered to vote, with 93% motivated to vote in November 2024 with a clear preference for the Democrats.
However, it is important to note that some politicians may be using anti-LGBTQ+ bills to drum up media attention, fundraise, and drive voters to the polls.
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Political discourse negatively impacts LGBTQ+ people's mental health
Political discourse has an undeniably negative impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ people. The constant exposure to discriminatory bills and hateful rhetoric has taken a toll on the well-being of this vulnerable community.
A 2024 GLAAD poll found that 49% of LGBTQ+ voters experienced bullying and harassment, and a staggering 72% reported a decline in their mental health due to the negative political discourse in the country. The same poll also revealed that LGBTQ+ voters overwhelmingly prefer President Biden over Donald Trump, with a significant margin of 57 points in seven swing states.
The impact of political rhetoric on LGBTQ+ youth is particularly concerning. The Trevor Project reports that 90% of LGBTQ+ young people's well-being is negatively impacted by the current political climate, and 39% have considered suicide in the past year. This is a direct result of the hundreds of measures introduced across the nation, seeking to limit the rights and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in schools, medical offices, and even in their relationships with parents and children.
The anti-LGBTQ+ political discourse has also led to an increase in violence, disproportionately affecting people of color within the community. This is further exacerbated by the introduction of over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills since 2023, targeting drag shows, gender-affirming healthcare, and the participation of transgender individuals in sports.
The negative impact of political discourse on LGBTQ+ mental health is not limited to the United States. In Canada, the government issued a travel warning for LGBTQ+ visitors to the US, citing the need to be aware of local laws that may impact their safety. Additionally, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, Kelley Robinson, accused Republicans of focusing on "sowing fear and chaos" instead of addressing economic issues, with ads that have had a detrimental effect on the mental health of trans people.
The political suppression of LGBTQ+ rights has real-world consequences, and it is crucial that politicians and society at large recognize the harm caused to this vulnerable community.
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Republicans face no political cost for targeting LGBTQ+ people
LGBTQ+ voters are an emerging voting bloc that will be key in future elections. With 7.6% of the American population identifying as LGBTQ+, this electoral subgroup could have a significant impact on the presidential race, which is often decided by a small number of votes in a handful of battleground states. Despite this, Republican leaders face no political cost for targeting the LGBTQ+ community. This is likely due to the fact that LGBTQ+ people vote overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party and will continue to do so as long as the Republican Party keeps pushing extreme laws that are harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
Political scientist Desmond Jagmohan notes that politicians may view LGBTQ+ people as a safe group to target because they are unlikely to face any financial or electoral backlash. By taking a stance against LGBTQ+ rights, Republicans can appeal to their conservative base without risking opposition from their financial backers. This strategy also serves to rally their base and drive moderate conservatives further into the conservative camp.
The resistance to LGBTQ+ rights is not new, but the current backlash is particularly strong. Since 2023, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the U.S., with almost all of them proposed by Republican lawmakers. These bills range from limiting drag shows to outlawing gender-affirming healthcare and banning the mention of LGBTQ+ history in schools. The negative impact of these bills, even when they don't become law, is significant. The Trevor Project reports that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth say their well-being is negatively impacted by the constant exposure to discriminatory bills, with 39% reporting that they have seriously considered suicide in the past year.
The attacks on LGBTQ+ rights are often accompanied by a racial component, as seen in the racial uprising of 2020 after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The Republican Party was frightened by the civil rights protests that included a large number of mainstream white people and the subsequent victory of Biden in the 2020 election. As a result, they are attempting to roll back progress on racial and LGBTQ+ justice, often by targeting education and portraying it as a form of state indoctrination that undermines parental authority.
In conclusion, while Republicans face no apparent political cost for targeting the LGBTQ+ community in the short term, this strategy may have unintended consequences in the long term. As the number of Americans who support LGBTQ+ rights continues to grow, including those who know and care about transgender people, the Republican Party risks losing support among an increasingly diverse electorate.
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Legislation to close legal gaps would positively impact LGBTQ+ people's health
Political campaigns targeting the LGBTQ+ community have become increasingly common, with over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced since 2023. These bills seek to limit the rights and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals, impacting their health and well-being. Legislation to close legal gaps and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people is crucial to positively impact their health and well-being.
The impact of discriminatory legislation on the health of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth, cannot be overstated. Denying access to gender-affirming healthcare, as seen in bills like HB 676 and LB 574, can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of transgender and gender non-conforming youth. The HHS and major medical associations affirm that gender-affirming care improves the health and well-being of these individuals. Restricting this care can create a chilling effect on healthcare providers and negatively impact the health of this vulnerable community.
Laws that restrict classroom discussions about LGBTQ+ issues, such as the "Don't Say Gay" law in Florida, contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ youth. Bullying and harassment of LGBTQ+ students increase in such environments, negatively affecting their mental health. The Trevor Project reports that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth said their well-being was negatively impacted by discriminatory bills, and 39% have considered suicide in the past year.
Furthermore, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation can impede economic security and physical safety, which are critical determinants of health and well-being. For example, criminal laws have historically been used to harass and imprison LGBTQ+ individuals, and they continue to face discrimination in employment, housing, and military service. Laws that protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in these areas, such as the provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Section 1557, are essential for ensuring equal access to economic opportunities and physical safety, positively impacting their overall health.
Closing legal gaps through inclusive legislation is crucial to addressing the specific health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes ensuring equal access to healthcare services, such as the Indian Health Service (IHS) for LGBTQ-2S American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. Additionally, laws that protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in areas like employment and housing contribute to their economic security and physical safety, positively impacting their health outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
With 7.6% of the American population identifying as LGBTQ+, this electoral subgroup could have a significant impact on the presidential race, which is projected to be decided by a small number of votes in a handful of battleground states.
Anti-LGBTQ+ political discourse has been associated with poorer mental and physical health within the LGBTQ+ community. A 2024 GLAAD poll found that 72% of LGBTQ+ voters said their mental health declined directly due to the negative political discourse in the country.
Anti-LGBTQ+ politics are mobilizing more LGBTQ+ voters, with 94% of LGBTQ+ Americans indicating they are motivated to vote in the 2024 election. Trends from past elections show that LGBTQ+ people vote overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party and will continue to do so as long as the Republican Party continues to push extreme laws that are harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
