LGBTQ+ Americans Seek Refuge in Canada Amid Rising Fears

The number of LGBTQ+ Americans exploring the possibility of relocating to Canada has surged following the re-election of former President Donald Trump. Campaigners report that individuals are increasingly concerned about the escalating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, executive orders, and over 600 bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

According to Latoya Nugent of Rainbow Railroad, a charity dedicated to assisting LGBTQI+ individuals in escaping violence and persecution, the organization has received an astonishing 4,197 calls from people in the US in the first eight months of this year. This marks an increase of 760% compared to the same timeframe in 2022. Nugent noted, “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.’”

The influx of inquiries began immediately after Trump’s re-election in November 2022, when Rainbow Railroad reported receiving over 1,100 calls within 24 hours. This alarming trend has positioned the United States as the top country from which people seek assistance, a first for the organization. “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 added.

Since his return to office, Trump has initiated numerous policies perceived as hostile to the LGBTQ+ community. These actions include defining gender strictly as binary, targeting diversity initiatives, and signing executive orders that aim to restrict transgender individuals’ participation in the military, sports, and access to gender-transition procedures for those under 19. The advocacy group Glaad reported that during Trump’s first 100 days in office, LGBTQ+ individuals were targeted at least 255 times through policy and rhetoric.

This political climate has led to a flurry of legislative activity at the state level. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there have been 604 anti-LGBTQ+ bills presented in various US states. Some states have enacted measures that challenge same-sex marriage, while Utah became the first to prohibit the display of LGBTQ+ flags on government properties, a move quickly followed by more than a dozen other states.

At Rainbow Railroad, approximately 61% of callers from the US identify as transgender, reflecting the administration’s consistent focus on this demographic. Many individuals express concern over the broader implications of these attacks. Nugent emphasized, “In the US, trans-identified people have become the first line of attack against the entire LGBTQI+ community, and there’s this growing fear that it will not stop there.”

Despite the rising fears, options for relocation to Canada remain limited. Many callers to Rainbow Railroad are informed that economic pathways or family reunification are the most feasible ways to immigrate. However, two recent immigration cases have sparked optimism. In July 2023, a Canadian judge halted the deportation of a non-binary artist from Minnesota, stating that the decision failed to consider the dire conditions for LGBTQ+ individuals in the US. This ruling has sparked debate over whether it will compel Canadian immigration officials to take the current political climate into account.

Another significant case involves Hannah Kreager, a 22-year-old transgender woman from Arizona, who crossed into Canada earlier this year and filed an asylum claim in June. Kreager’s claim is based on fears of persecution due to Trump’s anti-trans policies. Her lawyer, Yameena Ansari, described the case as potentially precedent-setting, as it could recognize the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community under the current administration.

Ansari remarked, “Historically we’re talking about people from east Africa or Islamic countries, not America. But with each day that goes by, I feel more and more convinced that she has a legitimate claim.” The claim, which could be heard as early as summer 2024, has ignited discussions across Canada about the requirements for refugees, including the need to demonstrate that they cannot find safety anywhere in their home country.

Ansari is preparing to argue that there is no safe state for Kreager in the US, highlighting the lack of protections for transgender individuals. “If she goes into a federal building, she cannot pee in the right bathroom,” she noted. “If she’s locked up in a federal institution, where are they going to lock her up? Are they going to lock her up in the male institution? Are they going to provide her with gender-affirming care?”

Kreager understands the uncertainty surrounding her situation but views it as a crucial opportunity for herself and others experiencing the negative impacts of the Trump administration’s policies. Ansari expressed hope that Kreager’s courage will inspire others in similar situations to seek assistance. “Already just her courage in bringing this forward has inspired a lot of people in her community,” she said. “Right now, I have so many more clients coming to me because they read about Hannah’s case and they know there’s some lawyer who sees their pain and doesn’t dismiss it.”

As LGBTQ+ Americans continue to navigate a challenging environment, many are looking north to Canada for refuge, hoping for a safer future.