The repercussions of state-enforced bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth are reverberating throughout the LGBTQ+ community, affecting individuals of all ages. A recent survey conducted by Community Marketing Insight’s 17th Annual LGBTQ+ Community Survey, in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and other partners, has shed light on the concerning outcomes of such legislation. The analysis, unveiled as “The Impact of Gender Affirming Care Bans on LGBTQ+ Adults,” highlights a deeply troubling pattern. It underscores the negative consequences that these bans are imposing on LGBTQ+ adults, making the issue even more urgent following the Human Rights Campaign’s declaration of a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The survey’s findings are stark: almost 8 out of 10 LGBTQ+ adults have reported feeling a diminished sense of safety due to these care bans. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents mentioned that these bans have detrimental effects on their own or their loved ones’ physical and mental well-being. The reach of such legislation is extensive, as 22 states, including North Carolina, have enacted laws that either prohibit or restrict gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Remarkably, close to a third of transgender young people reside in these states, with some of these laws extending their impact to adults, including Medicaid coverage restrictions. Although courts have temporarily suspended some state bans through ongoing lawsuits, the legal landscape remains complex.
Dissecting the Survey Results
The comprehensive survey encompassed over 14,000 LGBTQ+ adults, representing every state and the District of Columbia. A staggering 79.1% of respondents expressed feeling less safe due to gender-affirming care bans, with this sentiment rising to a staggering 94% among trans and nonbinary adults. Notably, 43% of LGBTQ+ adults disclosed that these bans directly affected their mental and physical health, mirroring an even higher figure of 80.1% for trans and nonbinary adults.
These findings reveal profound implications for individuals’ mobility and decision-making. Approximately 62.2% of LGBTQ+ adult participants stated that they would not contemplate moving to states with gender-affirming care bans. In contrast, 34% considered relocating if their current state enforced such a ban or had already moved due to it. This mobility trend was also observed among trans and nonbinary individuals, with 53% indicating similar sentiments.
Urgent Need for Change
The survey’s disturbing revelations have been met with alarm and concern from advocates and experts alike. Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, lamented that these bans contribute to an escalating climate of fear and hostility, which profoundly affects the mental and physical health of LGBTQ+ Americans. The report emphasizes that the ramifications extend beyond individual health, noting that such bans endorse discrimination and stigma, in turn jeopardizing the broader LGBTQ+ community’s well-being.
Amid the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation nationwide, the survey serves as a sobering reminder of the fight for equality and acceptance. Urgent calls are being made to halt the spread of discriminatory laws, as they undermine the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. As LGBTQ+ advocates and allies work to counteract this concerning trend, the message is clear: the health, safety, and well-being of every LGBTQ+ person deserve unwavering protection.