LGBTQ+ Americans think moving to Canada to escape Trump: “I’m afraid of living here” | Canada

quantity LGBTQ+ Americans ask to move to Canada Since Donald Trump’s re-election, people across the United States have been following the impact of anti-gay rhetoric, anti-trans executive orders, and more than 600 bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights.

“There are a lot of things happening in the United States now, and a lot of them are scary,” said Latoya Nugent of Rainbow Railroad, a North American charity who helped LGBTQI+ individuals escape violence and persecution in their own country.

In the first eight months of this year, the organization received 4,197 calls from people living in the United States – 760% of people living in the United States compared to the same period last year. “The vast majority of people who lend a hand want support from international relocation, which translates to ‘I want to leave the United States because I’m afraid to live here,'” Nugent said.

Telephones on the Rainbow Railroad usually answer about 12,000 calls from around the world each year – lighting began in November, as more than 1,100 calls flowed in within 24 hours of Trump’s re-election. “This is the first time in our history that the United States has become the number one country people ask for help,” Nugent said.

The trend seems likely to continue this year. “Given the political climate and the emerging policy and legal landscape of the LGBTQI+ people, many of them are worried about what might happen to them,” Nugent said.

Since returning to office this year, Trump has launched an unprecedented attack on the community: Announcement of the United States to Only know Two genders; measures for diversity, equity and inclusiveness; and signing and implementing orders Try to exclude Transgender people from the US military, restricting their Enter the exerciseand reduce Gender change procedures for people under 19 years of age.

According to the American Advocacy Group Grade.

According to politicians in some states in the United States, 604 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were occupied at the state level. American Civil Liberties Union. Republicans in the red state have Seek measures That goal for same-sex marriage, Utah May Become the first state Flying LGBTQ+ flags in government buildings and schools is explicitly prohibited. Following closely behind are more than a dozen states.

Nugent said that about 61% of callers from the U.S. identified it as transgender on the Rainbow Railroad, reflecting the government’s ongoing and ruthless targeting of transgender people.

Others told the organization that they were watching the attack happen nervously. “If you know what’s going on around the world, you know that this is the worst start to come,” she said. “In the U.S., people across identification have become the first attack on the entire LGBTQI+ community, and people are increasingly worried that it won’t stop there.”

Despite the growing fear, Canada’s choice is still slim for those who are persecuted in the United States. Those who call the Rainbow Railway were told that the most likely option to relocate was through economic channels or through family unity.

However, two recent immigration cases have sparked hope.

In July, Canadian judge Stop planning To expel non-binary artists in Minnesota, the decision was believed to have failed to take into account the “current situation of LGBTQ, non-binary and transgender people” in the United States. From then on, debates on how much precedent will force Canadian immigration officials to consider the current climate of the people.

Another case closely watched was a 22-year-old trans woman from Arizona. After passing Canada Earlier this year, Hannah Kreager proposed the shelter in June, citing Trump’s anti-trans policy has left her worried about persecution.

Her attorney, Yameena Ansari, described the case as a potential precedent because it can recognize how to recognize Trump administration It has been specifically targeted at the LGBTQ+ community in the United States. “Historically, we’re talking about people from East Africa, West Africa, we’re talking about people from Russia or Islamic countries, we’re not talking about the United States,” she said. “But every day goes by and I’m increasingly convinced that she has reasonable claims.”

Ansari’s claim could spark debate nationwide as early as next summer, with many pointing out that refugees in Canada must prove that they cannot get protection from their own countries and that they cannot move to safe places anywhere in their country.

Especially last point, Ansari is ready to show that no other American customers can be safe. “If she enters the federal building, she can’t pee in the right bathroom,” she said. “If she is locked in a federal agency, where are they going to lock her up? Are they going to lock her up in a male agency? Will they provide her with gender-positive care?”

From the very beginning, her clients knew the route was far from a guarantee. But she seized it, thinking it was a single opportunity to pull a safe exit path for herself and many others from the Trump administration’s constant and ruthless attacks. “She’s not only doing it for herself. It’s a very important reason for her.”

She added that in similar circumstances, the silver lining of high hopes led to calls from others. “The courage to make this move forward has inspired many people in her community,” she said. “Now, I have more clients coming to me. Why? Because they read about Hannah’s case, they know that some lawyers see their pain and have not eliminated the pain. Who said it was true, I think the court should admit that your fear is so real.”