Some LGBTQ+ Milwaukeeans are saying that the Nov. 5 election is negatively affecting their mental health and emotional well-being.
They are not alone. Three out of four LGBTQ+ voters in the country feel the same way, according to a March survey from GLAAD, which also showed that the most important issues to these voters are restrictions on abortion and inflation/high prices. GLAAD is a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community are also on some voters’ minds ahead of November’s general election, as over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the U.S. in the 2024 legislative session, including 14 bills in Wisconsin, according to the ACLU.
NNS asked a small group of LGBTQ+ voters what they are most concerned about in this election and how the election is affecting them. Here’s what they said.
‘My ability to marry is at stake’
about equal protection rights and the economy in this election. (Photo provided by Sean Bussey)
Name: Sean Bussey
Age: 34
Occupation: Nonprofit educator
What issues are important to you in this election?
“I am definitely concerned because my ability to marry is at stake, I feel like, in this election. From the legislature to the judicial branch to the executive branch, if there’s not strong support there, then we’re going to go backwards in our country. And it applies to a lot of different policies … Aside from LGBTQ issues, the economy is very important to me right now. I feel like there’s a lot that could be done to address cost of living and interest rates and the ability to finance education and seek further opportunities.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“As educators, people are talking about, what resources do we need to put in place should the unthinkable happen? Thinking back to 2016, I was a teacher at the time and it was probably one of the worst days in my teaching career, because a lot rode on who was going to be the president that year. At that time, I worked at a school with like 25 to 30% undocumented students and they were deeply afraid of what was going to happen to them.”
‘I want my young people to be exposed to the world’
Name: Darnell Hamilton
Age: 39
Occupation: Executive director of Future Urban Leaders
What issues are important to you in this election?
“Just like everybody is saying, the economy and education. … Those who follow the right side of the ticket just don’t have the emotional intelligence to want to sit down and actually hear about another population’s life experiences as to why their decision to not vote for Trump is something that we need to consider, as not just a one side of the ticket perspective, but it should be anyone’s perspective.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“When I’m impacted most is when I see American exceptionalism take hold of someone’s intelligence. Because is this conversation going to be able to be had with validity? Or are we going to struggle because you’re just so stuck in a rut over, allowing a human being’s political agenda, all because you just haven’t learned about the world outside your own bubble? So I would say in my everyday life as a nonprofit leader, clearly, I want my young people to be exposed to the world, so it’s always on my mind.”
‘What’s important to me is equality for all’
Name: Elena Gonzalez
Age: 30
Occupation: At-home caregiver and assistant manager of a movie theater
What issues are important to you in this election?
“I think what’s important to me is equality for all. I guess I’ve noticed a few advertisements on the TV that I wouldn’t say paint trans people in the best type of lighting. I already spent a tough enough time as it is being trans in like the work community and stuff, so I think if Trump does get elected, then I’m going to face even more of a harder time finding better employment opportunities. … Roe v. Wade. I think it’s a woman’s right to make their own choice (about) what they want to do with their own body. I’ve seen that like Kamala Harris is trying to do, make everything more affordable. The cost of living is outrageous right now for someone who has two jobs and is still scraping by.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“I think it could impact my emotional and mental health, just based on, there’s certain medications that I’m on. Like I’m on testosterone blockers and estrogen and stuff like that. And I think it’s already hard to pay for it without medical insurance, so that kind of worries me to see where we’re headed in that direction.”
’I’m worried about young people who are LGBT’
Name: Brenda Coley
Age: 70
Occupation: Co-executive director of Milwaukee Water Commons
What issues are important to you in this election?
“I think the fight, or the struggle, is really between building a multiracial anti-racist democracy or not, so that’s one of the biggest issues that I have. That’s important to me is building that kind of democracy. … There have probably been over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills focusing on trangender people, so that’s something that we cannot abide by and we want people to be free to be who they are and to be loving about who they are. I think that the other main issue for LGBTQ people is reproductive justice and having the right to form a family or not form a family and be able to do that safely and happily.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“I think I have a lot of support and privilege where it doesn’t impact me. I’m worried about young people who are LGBT. I’m worried about transgender youth in particular. To know that this society is creating bills against their lives, I’m worried about them more than I am myself.”
‘The reality of our lives can change dramatically’
Name: Ricardo Galaviz
Age: 42
Occupation: Associate director at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
What issues are important to you in this election?
“Housing and food equality are some of the issues we (the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center) deal with the most. That stuff I think is definitely more regional. But when you look at other things on the larger level like the potential of dismantling marriage equality; the threat to the existence of trans people accessing gender-affirming care; trans youth being able to attend school safely and to play on sports teams equally and to enter bathrooms; any bathrooms they choose without harassment; it does heighten the need for engaging with national politics as well.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“My partner is from Mexico and this is the first election he gets to vote in since becoming a U.S. citizen. He was very involved in Mexico and he is very involved here. We were very worried about what would happen the last time there was a big election. The fact that the reality of our lives and relationship can change dramatically, depending on who wins, I think that’s what really shook me to reality.”
‘You’re either someone who will vote for a woman or you’re not’
Name: Raegan Niemela
Age: 30
Occupation: Court reporter
What issues are important to you in this election?
“Definitely climate change is probably number one, because I guess none of the rest of it matters if we don’t figure that out. … I think my number two is definitely reproductive rights.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“Yeah, because it just feels like more than any one before, it just feels like people are so set in stone and camps have just been chosen. It just feels like you’re either someone who will vote for a woman or you’re not. And it doesn’t really matter what she does or what she says.”
‘I’m definitely concerned about women’s rights’
Name: Michael Kittelson
Age: 31
Occupation: Internet sales manager
Caption: What issues are important to you in this election?
“I’m definitely concerned about women’s rights, just because with what Trump is proposing he would do, I mean, with it (reproductive health care) going to the states, it’s just absolute bulls—. … It should be federal. That’s one of my main concerns as well as LGBTQ rights, you know, marriage and all that good stuff.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“I think with the current political climate, yeah, things are heavy. Every single day, I probably spend 20 to 30 minutes just going over the news and making sure I didn’t miss anything and making sure I’m as educated as possible on everything. And, my family is pretty conservative and so having to deal with that as well, is taking a toll, for sure.”
‘I’m fearful about losing rights’
Name: Christie Carter
Age: 42
Occupation: Aging and disability programs coordinator at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
What issues are important to you in this election?
“Me, personally, I identify as a member of the LGBT community, but I also identify as a person with a disability. And so, just like a lot of people in Wisconsin and all over the United States, I’m fearful about losing rights if Donald Trump gets in office.”
Is current political discourse negatively affecting your mental and emotional health? If so, why?
“Yeah, it’s a real fear. … People are worried. We can’t come to a compromise on anything politically and then adding the fear of Donald Trump and the things that he wants to take away, I think people are very unsettled.”
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For additional information about the election, including how to find your district, check out the Wisconsin Watch 2024 Voter Guide.
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