Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Aug. 9, 2024. Photo: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
According to a recent poll by LGBTQ+ health platform Folx Health, many trans people are thrilled for the Harris-Walz ticket, in large part thanks to candidates’ records on LGBTQ+ rights.
One participant said, “I think this election is incredibly important. In some ways it feels like the 2020 election again, especially when it comes to my anxiety. I have a lot of fear about what will happen to me, my partner, and our way of life if conservatives come to power broadly. I have to hope that [Vice President Kamala] Harris (who I presume will be the Democratic nominee) and that voters will defeat Trump.”
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When it looked like President Joe Biden would be the Democrats’ nominee in 2024, only 8% of trans Americans labeled themselves as enthusiastic about the upcoming election. Now that Kamala is on the ticket, 32% say they’re excited about the upcoming election, and 48% label themselves as hopeful for this election.
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However, many more trans people are frustrated (86%) or anxious (92%) about the election, even after Biden dropped out. The survey sheds some light on why—the vast majority believe that the election will have a significant impact on their care. Nearly 60% are considering a move to another state that has better care. Half of the participants are in a Republican-led state.
One participant told Folx, “I am fearful of another Trump presidency. I feel my life and the lives of others are at stake. I wonder daily if I need to prepare to flee or hide. Many people are seeking more community networks for safety reasons in case things become horrific in the wake of another Trump presidency or retaliation from MAGA at a Trump loss.”
Another participant said, “I hope the election brings positive changes that will improve our community and provide more opportunities for growth and well-being. I’m looking forward to a future where we all benefit from better policies and leadership.”
However, while more participants are excited for the election, this excitement doesn’t quite translate into advocacy for Harris. Only 28% believe that Harris’ record demonstrates strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, although 79% of participants believed that she meets the needs of the trans community either “somewhat” or “very much so.”
The total sample was 1,239 trans adults over the age of 18 who live in the United States, done with a cross-sectional survey design recruited via emails in the FOLX network or through their social media profiles. They compared the representativeness of their survey design to other prominent surveys of trans people, including the U.S. Trans Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, concluding that their survey is “fairly representative.” The questionnaire was in English only.
