In a close race, Donald Trump was reelected president of the United States, securing 277 electoral votes over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This pivotal election touched on critical issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and reproductive access, with many voters weighing in on the nation’s future direction. Although Harris won a sweeping 86 percent of LGBTQ+ voters, according to NBC News exit polls, the overall result signals potential challenges for LGBTQ+ rights over the next four years.
LGBTQ+ Ballot Wins in New York, California, and Colorado
While Trump’s win raises concerns, there were significant state-level victories for LGBTQ+ rights. In New York, voters passed Proposition 1, amending the state constitution to enshrine protections for transgender and abortion rights. The revised amendment now forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare, expanding on previous language that prohibited discrimination based only on race, creed, or religion.
California voters approved Proposition 3, securing the right to marry regardless of sex or race in the state’s constitution. Similarly, Colorado’s Amendment J removed outdated language that defined marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. These measures reflect a growing recognition of LGBTQ+ rights at the state level, even as concerns grow about federal protections.
Impact of Project 2025 on LGBTQ+ Rights
One of the most pressing questions facing LGBTQ+ advocates is the potential influence of Project 2025, a policy blueprint crafted by the Heritage Foundation, with contributions from former Trump cabinet members. Project 2025 prioritizes policies aimed at reshaping the federal government around what it describes as “traditional American values,” which explicitly includes a “married mother, father, and their children” as the ideal family structure.
This $22 million, 900-page initiative seeks to roll back federal policies supporting LGBTQ+ rights and proposes an end to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs. According to GLAAD, the plan also includes replacing the Department of Health and Human Services with a “Department of Life” and the Department of Homeland Security with a militarized immigration force, both of which would work to impose restrictive policies on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
Although Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, many of his close allies are deeply involved, leaving advocates worried about potential rollbacks on LGBTQ+ rights and other civil liberties.
Trans Rights and Gender-Affirming Care at Risk
Throughout his campaign, Trump indicated plans to limit gender-affirming healthcare by restricting Medicare and Medicaid from covering these services. He also proposed cutting federal funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care, moves that LGBTQ+ advocates argue could make healthcare access especially challenging for transgender Americans. While protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) currently prevent healthcare providers from discriminating based on gender identity, Trump’s administration previously attempted to narrow these protections, an effort rolled back under President Biden.
The 2024 election has marked a historic moment for LGBTQ+ representation in U.S. politics, with several openly LGBTQ+ politicians winning seats across federal and state governments. These groundbreaking victories signal growing support for leaders who openly advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and bring diverse perspectives to government bodies. Here’s a look at some of the trailblazers elected this cycle:
If healthcare reforms led by Trump and VP-elect JD Vance go forward, advocates warn that this could lead to discrimination against transgender people seeking medical care. Despite current protections under the Health Care Rights Law, legal battles could loom if federal support for LGBTQ+ healthcare rights erodes.
Wins for LGBTQ+ Representation in the 2024 Election
Among the most notable wins, Sarah McBride (D-Delaware), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), and Emily Randall (D-Washington) have been elected to the U.S. Congress. McBride, a longtime advocate, brings significant experience in championing transgender rights, while Johnson and Randall have been outspoken on LGBTQ+ and equality issues, promising to push forward inclusive policies for their constituents.
Across the states, LGBTQ+ candidates broke barriers as well. In Texas, Molly Cook was elected to the State Senate, Keturah Herron won a seat in the Kentucky State Senate, and Rashaun Kemp was elected to Georgia’s legislature. In Tennessee, Gabby Salinas won a seat in the state legislature, and Aime Wichtendahl secured a spot in Iowa’s legislature.
The Road Ahead for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
With a second Trump administration underway, the LGBTQ+ community and allies face a complex landscape of progress and obstacles. State-level protections like those passed in New York, California, and Colorado provide critical safeguards, but the broader national picture remains uncertain. Advocacy groups are already mobilizing, preparing to defend and expand the rights gained in recent years amid an administration that may pose significant challenges to the progress made thus far.
