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LGBTQ Voters Are Key to 2024—but What About Those Who Just Can’t Anymore?

Sep 26, 2024 #EqualityNow, #LGBTQResilience, #LGBTQVoters2024, #MentalHealthMatters, #QueerAndVoting, #VoteWithPride

LGBTQ+ Voters Hold the Key to 2024—But Political Fatigue Could Keep Some Away From the Polls

As the 2024 U.S. elections loom, LGBTQ+ voters are once again poised to play a pivotal role. With 94% of LGBTQ+ voters reporting they’re motivated to vote1, the community could sway key swing states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia​. But for those of us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just plain done with the constant barrage of political discourse, there’s something striking about that number: it’s not 100%.

That 6% gap? That’s where the real story lies.

The Weight of Constant Political Battles

For those in the queer community, the past few years have felt like an endless storm of attacks2 3. From legislation aimed at limiting healthcare access for trans youth to bans on gender-affirming care and the looming threat to marriage equality, we’ve spent much of our time on the defensive. It’s no wonder many of us feel exhausted.

GLAAD’s polling underscores this toll—72% of LGBTQ+ Americans report a negative impact on their mental health due to political discourse4. Constant attacks on our rights take a profound emotional toll, and for some, it’s just too much. That 6% who might sit out the election? It’s not apathy—it’s survival. How can you be expected to vote when you’re simply trying to exist?

When Voting Feels Like Just Another Task

Let’s face it: politics can feel like a never-ending hamster wheel. For the LGBTQ+ community, it’s often more than just policy debates—it’s a fight for our humanity. This weight can be overwhelming, turning voting into another emotional task.

It’s not apathy—it’s survival. After years of constant political attacks, how can you be expected to vote when you’re just trying to exist?”

Some of that 6% might be stepping back because they’re tired of constantly being expected to fight, debate, and show up. The political fatigue, coupled with mental health challenges, can leave people feeling disconnected from the process.

How to Stay Engaged—Without Burning Out

It’s important to know that staying politically engaged doesn’t mean being on the frontlines all the time. The pressure to be constantly involved can be just as draining as apathy.

Here’s how we can stay engaged without sacrificing mental well-being:

  1. Find Your Own Level of Engagement: Engagement doesn’t have to mean protests or following every news update. Even small actions, like signing a petition or sharing information, can matter. It’s okay to start small.
  2. Take Breaks: It’s okay to disengage when needed. Skip the news, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care. Protecting your mental health is a form of activism—one that ensures you have the energy to act when it matters most.
  3. Focus on Local Wins: Sometimes national politics feels too big to handle. Focusing on local elections or policies can make your efforts feel more immediate and rewarding.
  4. Lean on Community: The LGBTQ+ community has a long history of collective activism. Join groups that share the burden, so you’re not carrying it all alone.

Why This Election Still Matters

As exhausting as it can be, this election still matters—especially for LGBTQ+ rights. The GLAAD poll shows that LGBTQ+ voters prefer pro-equality candidates by massive margins, which could be decisive in tight races5. And here’s the silver lining: despite the noise, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is becoming a losing strategy, even among conservative voters6.

Republicans who focus on restricting trans healthcare and banning women’s rights are alienating more voters than they’re attracting. Many voters—across the spectrum—want politicians to focus on economic issues like inflation and healthcare costs, not divisive culture wars.

Resilience and Community Power

This election is about more than just defeating bad policies—it’s about celebrating our resilience. Despite everything, we show up. Even if we’re tired, even if we’re hurting, we continue to fight.

For those feeling too burned out to participate, know that your exhaustion is valid. You’ve done so much just by surviving and existing. Whether or not you vote, your worth isn’t tied to your political engagement. But if you do vote, know that your voice is part of a larger movement pushing for change—even in small, manageable ways.

No guilt. No shame. Just the knowledge that whether you’re voting or resting, you’re part of a community that is resilient, powerful, and full of possibility.

  1. https://glaad.org/releases/glaad-releases-2024-voter-poll-94-of-lgbtq-americans-are-motivated-to-vote-72-report-negative-impact-of-political-discourse-on-mental-health-and-emotional-well-being/ ↩︎
  2. Ibid. ↩︎
  3. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2024- ↩︎
  4. https://glaad.org/releases/glaad-releases-2024-voter-poll-94-of-lgbtq-americans-are-motivated-to-vote-72-report-negative-impact-of-political-discourse-on-mental-health-and-emotional-well-being/ ↩︎
  5. Ibid. ↩︎
  6. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/09/hrc-blames-anti-lgbtq-politicians-for-national-rise-in-hate-crimes/ ↩︎