According to Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, we are witnessing a new phenomenon in the LGBTQ+ movement. There is a growing class of political refugees in America who are forced to relocate to different states due to concerns about their safety. These individuals, known as gender refugees, are facing a difficult decision as they are pushed to leave their own communities.
A recent study conducted by Clark University professor Abbie Goldberg and published by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law sheds light on this issue. The study surveyed 113 LGBTQ+ parents in Florida following the passage of the state’s Don’t Say Gay law. Shockingly, 56% of parents expressed their consideration of leaving Florida, and 16.5% have already taken steps towards relocating.
Many respondents in the study mentioned that they were actively saving money and searching for new jobs and homes elsewhere. However, this predicament is filled with conflicting emotions, as these families also expressed their love for their families, friends, and communities. They are being forced to choose between their comfort and the safety of their loved ones, which is an unfair burden. This highlights the fact that anti-trans laws do not serve as noble protections but rather as malicious attacks on these individuals.
The study also revealed that for some families with LGBTQ+ members, moving was simply not an option. They were unable to relocate due to responsibilities such as caring for older family members or having specialized jobs that were not available elsewhere. As Abbie Goldberg explained, this situation creates significant stress for LGBTQ+ parents who lack the means to move or send their children to private schools, where they can openly talk about their families without fear. Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege of uprooting their lives to escape political persecution, at least in the short term.
One notable example of a family that decided to leave Florida is that of Dwyane Wade, a former NBA champion, and Gabrielle Union, a renowned movie and TV star. The couple has a transgender daughter, Zaya, who is 16 years old. Wade cited Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws as one of the key reasons for their relocation. In an interview, he expressed that his family would not feel accepted or comfortable in Florida and emphasized the importance of their safety.
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