Fleeing Hatred: Why Transgender Americans Are Relocating to Find Acceptance

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a significant rise in the number of transgender individuals considering—or making—the life-altering decision to leave the country. Spurred by a wave of anti-transgender legislation, shifting public sentiment, and increasing barriers to healthcare and civil rights, more trans Americans are seeking safety, stability, and acceptance abroad or in more welcoming U.S. states.

The Growing Trend: How Many Are Leaving?

• According to recent polls, nearly half of transgender adults in the U.S. have considered relocating since May 2023, and approximately 8% have already left, with most moving to Canada or Europe12.
• Non-profit organizations such as Rainbow Railroad report a 994% increase in asylum requests from U.S. residents so far in 2025 compared to the previous year, with more than half of these requests coming from transgender individuals2.
• Support groups and relocation organizations have noticed a similar spike, with some reporting over 1,000 requests for help in a single day following major political developments23.

What’s Driving The Exodus?

1. Anti-Transgender Laws and Political Climate

Since 2023, anti-trans legislation has escalated to historic levels. In 2025 alone, over 950 bills targeting transgender rights have been introduced across the country4. These laws restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare, ban trans participation in sport, change documentation policies, and roll back anti-discrimination protections.

Key legislative actions and policy changes include:

• Bans or severe limitations on gender-affirming care for minors in multiple states54.
• Restrictions on updating passports and other identity documents to reflect an individual’s gender identity25.
• Executive orders enforcing the recognition of only binary genders at the federal level5.
• Proposals for so-called “gender fraud” laws criminalizing mismatches on official documents2.

The fear among the trans community is palpable. Many worry that even “blue states” might not remain safe havens if the political tide shifts, leading some to seek long-term security outside U.S. borders15.

2. Healthcare Access and Safety Concerns

Restrictions on medical care—especially for youth—have rapidly intensified. Families with trans children are among those most likely to relocate, citing the inability to access necessary healthcare as a major factor67. Reports detail medical care being abruptly halted, driving families to countries like New Zealand and Canada to protect their children’s wellbeing62.

3. Social Climate and Daily Harassment

Rising anti-trans rhetoric and violence have left many feeling unsafe both in public life and within their communities. Surveys indicate that people living in states or cities perceived as less LGBTQ-friendly are much more likely to want to move—either within the U.S. or abroad8.

Where Are Trans Americans Going?

The most popular destinations for those leaving the USA include:

• Canada: By far the top destination, thanks to pro-LGBTQ+ policies, accessible asylum processes, and a supportive healthcare system23.
• European Countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland are among the most frequently cited destinations, offering legal protections and established LGBTQ+ communities39.
• Thailand: Chosen for its history of medical tourism and relatively trans-friendly culture3.
  Those unable to emigrate internationally are often relocating to more progressive U.S. states such as California, New York, Massachusetts, or Washington8.

Barriers to Leaving

Not all transgender Americans are able to move, even if they wish to:

• Visa and immigration concerns remain the largest barrier to international relocation8.
• Financial constraints, language barriers, the risk of losing community and support networks, and the complexity of moving with children or family are all significant hurdles85.
• Some also express internal conflict about leaving behind friends, activism, or a sense of obligation to “stay and fight”59.

Support and Resources

For those considering relocation, grassroots organizations are emerging to offer practical and legal support. Groups like Trans Continental Pipeline and Rainbow Railroad provide relocation assistance, legal advice, and financial help for those forced to flee hostile environments23. Comprehensive guides and up-to-date information on documentation and asylum processes are available through sources like Lambda Legal and Translash10.

Sources:

1. https://19thnews.org/2025/05/trans-woman-escapes-america-finds-peace-ocean/
2. https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-07-27/sexile-in-the-united-states-hundreds-of-transgender-americans-seek-refuge-from-trump-in-canada.html
3. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/transgender-emigration-trump-supreme-court-b2779695.html
4. https://translegislation.com
5. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-03-05/transgender-americans-leave-us-trump-lgbtq-policies
6. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/families-say-leaving-us-anti-transgender-climate-rcna206560
7. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/trans-youth-trump-leaving-u-s-1235256729/
8. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Moving-May-2025.pdf
9. https://www.reddit.com/r/asktransgender/comments/1ikyh9e/trans_people_who_have_left_the_us_hows_that_going/
10. https://translash.org/resources/trans-relocation-guide-finding-trans-asylum-and-safe-havens/
11. https://www.newsweek.com/number-trumpugees-leaving-america-continues-rise-2093007
12. https://transequality.org/resources/our-moment-reform-immigration-and-transgender-people
13. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/trans-refugees-what-trans-people-need-to-know-about-finding-safety-abroad/
14. https://transequality.org/issues/immigration
15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8213007/
16. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/02/26/americans-have-grown-more-supportive-of-restrictions-for-trans-people-in-recent-years/
17. https://transequality.org/resources/understanding-trumps-trans-military-ban
18. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/trans-moving-press-release/
19. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025
20. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E9dxnqvE2FU