LGBTQ+ Voters for Trump

Exit Polls Show 86% of Queer Voters Elected Kamala Harris: On a white backdrop a hand placing an envelope into a box is in silhouette

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, LGBTQ+ voters had a significant shift in their voting patterns compared to 2020. There has been a small but notable decrease in support for President-Elect Donald Trump. According to Edison Research, a firm that collects election data, exit polling, 86% of queer voters chose Kamala Harris, while 13% chose Trump. This marks an uptick in LGBTQ+ support for the Democratic party from the 2020 election, where only 64% voted for Joe Biden and 27% voted for Donald Trump.

This shift in LGBTQ+ voting behavior is part of a broader trend of increased political polarization among voters. Some community members expressed frustration with the current administration’s handling of key issues while others defended them vehemently. The 2024 election exit poll data, collected from 22,509 people across 10 states, shows that despite the overwhelming preference for Harris, a not insignificant number of LGBTQ+ voters supported Trump. This was something that was almost unthinkable given his openly anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

Several factors may have contributed to this shift. In recent years, LGBTQ+ issues have received more attention, especially with the rise of anti-trans laws and policies. These have restricted access to gender-affirming care for trans youth as well as other LGBTQ+ issues. For some LGBTQ+ voters, Trump’s campaign was more attractive than Harris’. He often promised to restore what he calls the “golden age” of America, which appeared to be a promise to make America great for all citizens. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has become normalized, particularly around transgender rights. Trump, along with his supporters, has made it evidently clear that the “golden age” of America will not welcome those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The vast majority of LGBTQ+ people still lean left but there is still a divide in the community. The data suggests that a segment of queer voters are right-leaning. They are either less supportive of the Democratic Party or feel that the current political climate does not fully address their interests and concerns. LGBTQ+ rights continue to be a pressing issue in the US. The political future of this group remains an area of significant division throughout the country and within the community.