Mixed results from November’s election: The fight’s not over
Here are some topline updates from the November 2026 general election.
Good news first: Out trans candidates won by landslides, even in conservative districts.
At least 12 openly trans people became elected officials for the first time, and at least 19 openly trans people got re-elected. This includes nonbinary candidates. Plus, at least 17 additional trans people are currently in public office and did not need to seek re-election this November.
In addition, many anti-trans lawmakers lost their elections or their majorities, including in state governments and the federal government. And across the United States, people elected new leaders who are either pro-trans (like Scott Colom and Abdul El-Sayed) or less hostile to our community.
Anti-trans billionaires who funded attack ads mostly wasted their money! Even Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis admitted that, and the Campaign for Southern Equality wrote: “Scapegoating trans people isn’t just morally wrong, it’s a failed political strategy.”
Source: Campaign for Southern Equality | Instagram
Across the U.S., many anti-trans laws will be blocked, overturned, or not enforced.
Vermont voters enshrined trans rights into their constitution, and Missouri voters rejected an anti-trans and anti-abortion ballot measure.
Michigan just announced it will restore Medicaid coverage for minors’ gender-affirming care (which some states took away without federal support for it); other states will likely do so soon. In at least four states, new lawmakers could overturn bans on gender-affirming care. A Texas lawmaker just introduced a bill to repeal the state’s youth care ban.
Here’s the bad news: Unfortunately, at the same time, trans kids’ lives just got even harder in four states.
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington passed ballot initiatives against trans students’ participation in sports. Arizona’s Proposition 318 expands an existing sports ban, including a bathroom ban related to athletic facilities in schools and beyond.
These attacks could subject youth to genital exams, especially Washington’s newly passed measure, which specifically targets girls.
Washington voters rejected one out of two anti-trans ballot initiatives, but Colorado voters supported two: They narrowly passed an initiative restricting most gender-affirming surgeries for trans minors.
Most of these attacks passed with small majorities, and they will be challenged in the courts and legislatures.
Multiple coalitions of Washington groups just filed a lawsuit to block the measure in their state, hoping to do so before it goes into effect. The Seattle School Board will also take legal action. And Colorado’s Governor-elect has said he wants to change the state’s ballot measures, which can also be overturned soon in the state legislature.
You can hear more about Washington’s initiatives from newly elected Black trans state legislator Jaelynn Scott in her pre-election interview with TransLash, and read about the many Washington leaders who have been and will keep fighting back against these attacks. You can hear more from the campaign leading the opposition to the ballot measure that passed, which lists trans-led organizations in WA here.
Trans young people, we will not stop fighting for you! You matter and we’re so grateful you’re here.
The ACLUs of all four states came out with a statement, including: “To trans youth everywhere, you deserve safety, dignity, and freedom. You belong, and we will keep fighting for you.”
Source: ACLU | Instagram
You can find messages of support from newly elected Colorado Congressmember Melat Kiros, queer and cis writer Ijeoma Oluo, The Trevor Project, drag artist Jack Of-Spades Paradisco, Colorado voter Melody, ACLU of Nebraska, ACLU of Washington, OutNebraska, and Colorado organizations: Rocky Mountain Equality, The Center on Colfax, and Safer More Affirming Communities.
We’re also proud to partner with and support Trans Queer Pueblo, an Arizona organization that organized a post-election rally against the state’s recently passed anti-trans ballot measure.
Newly elected WA trans legislator Jaelynn Scott also posted, “To our trans and nonbinary youth across the state, please know that it gets better and you are loved.”
Source: Jaelynn Scott | Instagram
We are continually working for a better world where trans people can thrive with safety and autonomy, through peer support, healing justice, mutual aid, community care and empowerment, advocacy, and more.
Trans people will keep building our resilience and power, no matter who’s in government.
Let’s also take heed of trans lawyer Chase Strangio’s message about the ballot measures. He wrote: “Ballot measures are a function of funding more than anything and are wildly undemocratic… Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent mocking and demonizing us and that strategy failed spectacularly.”
Trans-led organizations like ours will keep fighting for equity and for trans people’s material needs. And as we continue to move forward, here are more ways that we can continue to take care of each other right now:
1. Process the election results
The results of this midterm election were filled with both highs and lows! Talking about the election results, whether with your friends, family, or by yourself is a great way to reconnect with the present. This video from a trans therapist offers helpful thoughts for trans folks processing the election results. He writes: “Whatever you’re feeling is valid. You’re not alone. Take a deep breath. Be gentle with yourself. We’re not going anywhere.”
It makes so much sense if you’re feeling upset, angry, or heartbroken! Let’s use those feelings to fuel us to fiercely protect trans kids and our community.
2. Attend to your nervous system
Here are some tools to care for our nervous systems and stay present in our bodies so we can keep pushing for liberation. It is so important to try to find the balance of going through the emotions without letting them consume you — it’s a practice!
3. Connect with other trans people
You can always call our hotline to talk with a supportive trans person. If you don’t get through to us, we’ve compiled other resources at the bottom of this page. We also have resources specifically for trans young people here. (For allies looking to support trans folks in your life, start here.)
Source: liberationwithekta | Instagram
We also have a website where you can find trans Twitch streamers: Peer2Peer.live. Every participant is vetted with the promise that they’re cultivating community with care and intention.
While we are sitting in the joy of these wins, we can’t overshadow that trans youth were also left behind at the polls in multiple states.
Showing up for trans people – especially trans youth – doesn’t stop at the ballot box. Right now, we can and must publicly push back against these dehumanizing ballot measures – especially cis allies!
Now’s not the time to get complacent: It’s time to get louder, stronger, and more unified in the struggle for trans lives and rights! We protect each other and ourselves! We can help keep each other safe!
To support Trans Lifeline’s efforts and continued work, please consider donating to us today!
