LGBTQ+ Americans consider move to Canada to escape Trump: I'm afraid of living here'

"In the first eight months of this year, the organisation has received 4,197 calls from people living in the US a surge of 760% compared with the same period last year. 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,' said Nugent. The phones at Rainbow Railroad which usually receives about 12,000 calls a year from around the world began lighting up in November, as more than 1,100 calls poured in within 24 hours after Trump's re-election."

"For the first time in our history, the US emerged as the number one country where people request help from, said Nugent. The trend seems likely to continue this year. 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 said."

"Since returning to office this year, Trump has carried out an unprecedented assault on the community: announcing that the US would only recognise two genders; targeting diversity, equity and inclusion measures; and signing executive orders that sought to exclude transgender people from the US military, limit their access to sport, and curtail gender-transition procedures for people under 19."

Rainbow Railroad received 4,197 calls from people living in the US in the first eight months of the year, a 760% increase over the same period last year. Most callers request support with international relocation because they fear living in the US. Call volume spiked after the presidential re-election, with more than 1,100 calls within 24 hours and the US becoming the top country requesting help. Many report fear driven by rising anti-gay rhetoric, anti-trans executive orders, and more than 600 bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights. Recent federal actions include limiting gender recognition, targeting DEI, and restricting transgender military service, sports participation, and youth transition procedures.

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