The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention, reported a significant 125 percent increase in demand for its crisis services following Election Day.
This surge in contact volume reflects heightened anxiety within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in response to concerns that a second term under former President Trump could lead to the overturning of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
The organization anticipates that demand for support could continue to rise as LGBTQ+ individuals worry about the potential rollback of their rights.
In light of these fears, several states took action to protect same-sex marriage. On Election Day, voters in California, Colorado, and Hawaii approved amendments that enshrine same-sex marriage protections in their state constitutions.
These legal changes would ensure that same-sex marriage remains legal in these states, even if Obergefell were overturned by the Supreme Court. However, the situation remains uncertain in many other states, as 32 states still have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage that could come into effect if the federal ruling is reversed.
Despite the unpopularity of the Biden administration, especially regarding economic issues, the amendments to protect same-sex marriage passed with strong support in California, Colorado, and Hawaii. Political science professor Don Haider-Markel noted that these victories indicate widespread public approval for same-sex marriage, regardless of political affiliation.
Post-Election Surge in LGBTQ+ Crisis Support Highlights Fears Over Potential Rollback of Same-Sex Marriage Rights
He also pointed out that while the economy often dominates voters’ concerns, social issues like marriage equality still have significant support across the country, even in competitive states like Wisconsin, where the race for re-election was much closer.
These amendments reveal the different ways states are addressing the issue of same-sex marriage. While progressive states like California and Colorado are likely to uphold marriage equality, other states, such as Wisconsin, continue to face challenges.
Logan Casey of the Movement Advancement Project emphasized that efforts to push for similar protections depend heavily on local politics and the priorities of state lawmakers. In some areas, like Wisconsin, lawmakers may be less inclined to pursue amendments on social issues, especially when economic concerns take precedence in political debates.
In Wisconsin, LGBTQ+ advocates, including University of Wisconsin–Madison student Acadia Bradley, express deep concern about the future of marriage equality. Wisconsin has both constitutional and statutory bans on same-sex marriage, and although Democratic lawmakers have proposed amendments, Republican opposition has stalled these efforts.
Bradley, who witnessed a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment during Trump’s first term, fears that a potential second term could embolden further attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. For advocates like Bradley, the push for legislative change has become even more urgent, as the potential for federal rollbacks remains a looming threat.
