LGBTQ+ Americans consider move to Canada to escape Trump: I'm afraid of living here'

Rainbow Railroad received 4,197 calls from people living in the US in the first eight months of the year, a 760% increase over the same period last year. Most callers request support with international relocation because they fear living in the US. Call volume spiked after the presidential re-election, with more than 1,100 calls within 24 hours and the US becoming the top country requesting help. Many report fear driven by rising anti-gay rhetoric, anti-trans executive orders, and more than 600 bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights. Recent federal actions include limiting gender recognition, targeting DEI, and restricting transgender military service, sports participation, and youth transition procedures.

"In the first eight months of this year, the organisation has received 4,197 calls from people living in the US a surge of 760% compared with the same period last year. 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,' said Nugent. The phones at Rainbow Railroad which usually receives about 12,000 calls a year from around the world began lighting up in November, as more than 1,100 calls poured in within 24 hours after Trump's re-election."

"For the first time in our history, the US emerged as the number one country where people request help from, said Nugent. The trend seems likely to continue this year. A significant number of them are reporting that they're fearful of what may happen to them, given the political climate and the emerging policy and legal landscape for LGBTQI+ people, Nugent said."

"Since returning to office this year, Trump has carried out an unprecedented assault on the community: announcing that the US would only recognise two genders; targeting diversity, equity and inclusion measures; and signing executive orders that sought to exclude transgender people from the US military, limit their access to sport, and curtail gender-transition procedures for people under 19."

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