TL;DR
- LGBTQ Americans are fleeing the U.S. for safer lives in the Netherlands.
- Trump’s re-election has triggered fear, policy rollbacks, and healthcare access concerns.
- The DAFT visa is a lifeline for many queer migrants.
- Trans Americans say they feel safer and freer in Amsterdam.
- Advocates call for asylum options as more apply for relocation.
Amsterdam: The New Safe Haven for Queer Americans
When Trump returned to the White House, so did fear — especially for trans and queer Americans. But instead of waiting around for their rights to be erased, a growing number are hopping the Atlantic and going Dutch. Thanks to an obscure but golden visa program — the DAFT visa — Americans are setting up shop in the Netherlands and breathing easier. Literally.
Alex and Lucy, a visibly trans couple from Arizona, said goodbye to their home country just in time. “We couldn’t even hold hands without fear. People took off their masks — the hate wasn’t hidden anymore,” Lucy said from their Amsterdam apartment. Their decision was sealed when Trump signed an executive order declaring only two genders. For Alex, who is disabled, the threat of losing healthcare was too dangerous to ignore. “It became a matter of life and death,” he said.
The Netherlands, known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ rights, became their escape route. Through the Dutch–American Friendship Treaty, U.S. citizens can obtain residency by starting a small business and showing financial stability. It’s not cheap, but it’s achievable — and for many queer Americans, it’s a lifeline.
From Survival Mode to Thriving
Jack Mercury, a trans adult performer from California, moved to Amsterdam the moment it was clear Trump was heading back to the Oval Office. “Uncertainty and fear — that’s what the U.S. feels like now,” Mercury said. “Healthcare, housing, employment — all up in the air. And if you’re trans or gay, you know you’re next on the hit list.”
But while Mercury now lives peacefully in west Amsterdam with his partner and cats, he knows not everyone is as lucky. “I’ve got friends who can’t leave — they’ve got families, chronic health issues, or just don’t have the money,” he added.
The DAFT visa offers an escape hatch, but it’s not a wide-open door. Immigration lawyers have seen a surge in applications, and the Dutch immigration office reported a record number of DAFT requests in January 2025 alone. While the system doesn’t track applicants’ sexual orientation, insiders estimate that LGBTQ migrants now make up a significant share.
And it’s not just the visa crowd. Some queer Americans are seeking asylum — a status rarely granted to U.S. citizens. A Dutch NGO, LGBT Asylum Support, says it has received dozens of inquiries from trans Americans since January, urging the government to rethink whether the U.S. is still a safe place for queer people.
Fear, Hope, and a New Home
Jess Drucker, an LGBTQ relocation expert, says requests for consultations are off the charts. “People see how quickly rights can erode — especially with right-wing extremism on the rise globally. The Netherlands looks like a queer dream in comparison,” she said.
But even that dream isn’t immune to political change. Lucy, despite finding a home and hope in Amsterdam, fears the Dutch government could dismantle the DAFT treaty under pressure. A right-wing coalition already collapsed in June, and the future feels uncertain. “I don’t want to be extradited for any reason,” she said. “I’m following every rule I can.”
The message is clear: LGBTQ Americans aren’t waiting around to see what’s next in Trump’s America. They’re packing their bags, grabbing their partners — and their cats — and saying “doei” to hate. And while the journey isn’t easy, the reward is profound: safety, freedom, and a chance to live openly.
As Alex put it, “It’s not just that I feel safer. It’s that, for the first time, I feel like I belong.”