The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) youth, released new polling data today examining Florida and Texas voters’ perspectives on a number of anti-LGBTQ policies, including those that restrict access to gender-affirming care and those that censor school content. The poll was conducted by Morning Consult between May 13-18, 2022 among a sample of 300 registered voters in Florida and 297 registered voters in Texas. The full polling data can be found here.
The poll in Florida found that a majority of voters in Florida (54%) feel that transgender minors should have access to gender-affirming care if recommended by their doctor and/or supported by their parents. Further, 42% of Florida voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who supports criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare — including 20% of Republican voters and 39% of independent voters — while only 24% say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who does so.
When asked about policies on LGBTQ content in schools, most Florida voters generally oppose banning or limiting LGBTQ content in public schools, with a majority (52%) specifically opposing banning books on LGBTQ topics in school libraries.
The poll in Texas found that 45% of Texas voters feel that transgender minors should have access to gender-affirming care, while just 31% think they should not have access. Further, half of Texas voters oppose charging parents and pediatricians with child abuse for providing this type of care. One-third of Texas voters (33%) say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who tries to make it illegal to provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth, while only 26% are more likely to vote for a candidate who does so.
“After a record-shattering year for anti-transgender policies, it’s become clear that there are politicians who have determined that trans and nonbinary youth present a winning wedge issue. But it’s also becoming clear that that is a miscalculation. Today’s data confirms that targeting LGBTQ youth by cutting off their access to educational opportunities and gender-affirming healthcare isn’t just bad politics — it’s bad strategy,” said Sam Ames (they/them), Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. “A majority of voters from across the political spectrum don’t just oppose these policies, they are less likely to vote for the lawmakers who support them. It’s heartening to see that public opinion is trending toward inclusion as more and more people meet these extraordinary youth. We urge lawmakers to do the same, and listen to the will of the voters they represent — some of whom are, without a doubt, the very young trans people these policies harm.”
The poll also found that a majority of both Florida and Texas voters (51%) oppose restricting transgender youths’ ability to socially transition — such as by dressing or cutting their hair in ways that affirm their identity.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
