Youth's Lives Every Day
If you are experiencing complex emotions around the presidential election, you are not alone.
The 2024 presidential election is approaching, and many LGBTQ+ youth are feeling the weight of it. From anxiety to fear about policies that directly impact their lives, it’s a challenging time. Here’s how you can take care of yourself during this moment. At The Trevor Project have seen young people reach out to us with a wide range of emotions. We as an organization want to acknowledge that folks are struggling and to offer some guidance about what you can do during this time to feel better and take care of yourself.
We know this time can be really hard for LGBTQ+ young people. There are many political conversations pertaining to our next president, the Supreme Court, and even local elections that have the potential to directly impact the civil rights and daily lives of LGBTQ+ youth — at every intersection of their identities. We’ve been hearing from many youth who are experiencing fear, anxiety, and even panic in anticipation of the election results, including some who are having trouble living with family members or around neighbors with whom they disagree politically.
Seeing and hearing about anti-LGBTQ+ policies and remarks can be extremely difficult, hurtful, and terrifying. According to our research, 86% of LGBTQ+ youth said that recent politics have negatively affected their well-being. It can be incredibly painful to feel like you have to defend your existence as an LGBTQ+ person or have to debate with others about whether you deserve equal rights and the ability to live your life as your true self. It’s not just politics, it’s personal. It’s personal to us too.
For some, this emotional stress can present itself in the form of physical symptoms, including an inability to concentrate on school, lack of sleep, and nausea. In the midst of all of these intense emotions and uncertainty, it is so important to take care of yourself and to prioritize your mental health.
The Trevor Project is here for you 24/7, and we can help you understand and manage any anxiety and stress you may be experiencing. Together, let’s explore some coping strategies and action steps. Remember, there’s no “right” way to process what’s happening in the world. It’s about finding what works for you.
What can I do to take care of myself?
- Find calm. It may feel tough, but think about what helps you relax — whether it’s music, exercise, yoga, meditation, or cooking.
- Unplug. If the news or social media is overwhelming, take a break from ALL screens. It’s good to stay informed, but set limits. Disconnect from screens daily or at least before bed to give yourself space to process your emotions.
- Take action. When things feel out of control, focus your energy on what you can do. Take our pledge to vote and we will send you details on how to register, get involved in activism, or help others vote.
- Empower yourself through education. If you can’t fully disconnect, shift to trustworthy news or LGBTQ+ media. Learning about issues that matter to you can boost confidence and help you engage in tough conversations.
- Express yourself. Find creative outlets like journaling, painting, or sharing your thoughts on social media to release and communicate your feelings.
- Connect with support. Reach out to people who uplift you. If you’re not out or need more community, visit TrevorSpace.org to connect with others going through similar experiences.
- Reach out for help. If you’re feeling hopeless or need to talk, reach out to, please contact The Trevor Project.
Approach tough conversations carefully — and pick your battles.
You may have parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, or other people in your life who have strong feelings about a certain candidate or issue that you disagree with. This can be incredibly hard, frustrating, and invalidating as an LGBTQ+ young person.
Storytelling can be powerful, and you should feel confident sharing yours. However, if you’re ever considering engaging in a political discussion with someone in your life, first consider your mental and emotional health. You cannot control how someone may respond to you, but you can set expectations for yourself. We also want to acknowledge that some of these conversations happen not because you think you can change the other person’s mind, but because you feel like you need to stand up to the person saying hurtful things to you. In either case, consider these questions:
- What is your motivation for having the conversation? What would you like to get out of it?
- How comfortable are you talking about this topic?
- What aspects of the subject do you find challenging?
- What are your assumptions about the other person’s understanding?
- What environment and time do you think would be the safest to engage in this conversation?
After thinking it through, you may decide not to have the conversation, and that’s totally fine! It’s important to prioritize your mental health and well-being, especially if these conversations involve people you live with.
If you have the ability and can do so safely — vote!
Voting is one way that we can make our voices heard. But it is also a decision that can bring up emotional challenges and anxiety. If you’re eligible and able to vote, here’s how you can get ready:
Step 1: Take the pledge to vote.
Step 2: If you haven’t already, register (or if you’re under 18, pre-register to vote).
Step 3: Find your polling location.
Step 4: Plan when you’ll go and how you’ll get there.
Addressing Specific Challenges: Transgender and nonbinary voters may face issues like discrepancies between ID details and voter registration. Ensure all documents match your registration and review this checklist.
Even if you can’t vote because of your age, immigration status, or other issues, you can still make a difference. You can talk with your friends and family, volunteer for political causes, and help others learn and bring about change.Your feelings and experiences are valid, and they can help educate others and bring about change.
Don’t give up.
A lot seems to be out of your control, and the reality is that there is a lot that you can control. Each day, if you can, you should check-in with yourself about your mental health, set boundaries, and be honest about when you need to take a break. And remember ,Don’t give up. Your life is valuable and you are not alone.
Regardless of what happens on Election Day, The Trevor Project will continue to be here 24/7 to support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth. And we’re not going to stop fighting — through advocacy, research, education, and more — to make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people because you deserve to live your life free from discrimination and fear.
No matter what happens on Election Day, The Trevor Project will keep fighting for LGBTQ+ youth through advocacy, research, education, and support. You deserve to live free from discrimination and fear — and we’re here for you, 24/7.
