How transgender rhetoric became the main weapon in the 2026 U.S. elections

In the 2026 midterm elections in the United States, transgender teens’ rights took center stage. Voters in five states cast ballots on measures restricting trans youth’s access to healthcare, sports competitions, and school facilities. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on aggressive political ads against transgender people. Advocates and experts from The Trevor Project drew the first conclusions from the voting and assessed its impact on young people’s mental health.

Initiatives to restrict transgender people’s rights were put to a vote in Washington, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, and Missouri. Early results show a significant split among voters. In Missouri, the discriminatory measure failed. In Nebraska and Arizona, most residents supported introducing restrictions. In Colorado and Washington, vote counting is still underway, so it is too early to draw final conclusions.Meanwhile, in many races across the country, voters rejected anti-trans rhetoric and chose to vote for candidates focused on other issues of vital importance.

Experts point to the enormous financial resources poured into the campaign against the trans community. Political rhetoric was used as a tool to mobilize voters. Representatives of The Trevor Project stress that politicians tried to score political points by attacking a vulnerable group.

Human rights advocates are calling on leaders of all parties to stop using children’s rights as a political battleground. The Trevor Project’s campaign director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen notes the need to respect families’ right to live peaceful lives.

Studies show a direct link between a hostile political environment and young people’s mental health.

In states with discriminatory laws, the number of suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary teens rose by 72 percent over the past year In states with enacted anti-discrimination laws, the number of suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary teens increased by 72 percent over the past year.

According to the 2025 national survey, 40 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered suicide over the past year. At the same time, 94 percent of respondents reported stress and anxiety because of political debates and laws. 86 percent of respondents reported feeling unsafe, and 38 percent admitted to thinking about moving to another state with their family.

Experts also identified factors that protect teenagers' mental health. Acceptance and support in society reduce the risk of suicide attempts by more than three times Compared with living in non-accepting communities. Access to appropriate clothing, gender-neutral restrooms, and respect for chosen pronouns from housemates significantly improve the emotional well-being of young people.

Human rights advocates remind us of the need to create a safe environment for all children, regardless of adults' political preferences.