By Christopher Dawson, CNN

(CNN) – The 2024 presidential race has brought unprecedented vitriol into the public sphere, leaving many transgender people feeling particularly marginalized and vulnerable. Campaign rhetoric demonized the transgender community, stirring up prejudice and fear.

With the outcome of the election decided, prejudices persist. And in the transgender community, fear has turned to panic at the prospect of President Trump campaign promises the curtailment of transgender rights will become a reality.

November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week, and CNN’s “Impact Your World” highlights ways to help trans people and their loved ones through these difficult times.

Fear and anxiety increase

The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ+ suicide prevention. Calls to the group’s crisis line have increased more than 700% after the elections. Another support group, Trans Lifeline, was flooded more calls than it can handle.

Ahead of the 2024 campaign season, the transgender population has already experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety than other groups. These levels have tended to skyrocket amid threats of anti-trans legislationwith suicide rates up to 72% when such legislation became law.

There is significant fear of more anti-trans legislation as a result of this election, adding to the anxiety and depression many have felt throughout the campaign, according to Tiffany Chenneville, a licensed psychologist and former fellow at the American Psychological Foundation.

Chenneville spoke about the persistent negative framing of this community during the election and the damage caused when so few challenged the misinformation.

“There is a sense of rejection and lack of support. And sometimes those negative stigmas become internalized and they feel even more marginalized and alone,” explains Chenneville. “I think the allies, friends and family members of this community especially now need to offer that unconditional support.”

For transgender people, their families and their friends who fear what might happen, these organizations offer advice and support.

• The Trans Lifeline can be reached in the US at 1-877-565-8860 and in Canada at 1-877-330-6366.
• The National LGBT Hotline is available at 1-888-843-4564. They also provide a LGBT Seniors Hotline at 1-888-234-7243 and LGBTQ Youth can call 1-800-246-7743 or join the youth chat rooms Here.
• The The Trevor Project crisis counselors can be reached at 1-866-488-7386. Text “START” to 678-678 to connect via text or online chat Here.
• The SAGE LGBT Seniors Hotline can be reached at 1-877-360-5428.
• Call 988 to reach National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It also offers a Lifeline chat Hereand additional LGBTQ resources Here.
• Text HOME to 741741 to connect with crisis counselors at Crisis text line. To connect with their advisors on WhatsApp, click Here.
• Transfamilies hosts free virtual parenting support groups on Zoom. Available sessions can be found Here.
• Trans Lifeline The Friends & Family Callback Service has counselors available. Schedule a call at 1-877-565-8860.
• Transfamily support services offers free virtual support groups and family engagement sessions Here.
• The gender spectrum offers free online groups for family members, parents and caregivers Here.
• PFLAG’The Straight for Equality program offers learning sessions to train trans allies in the workplace.

Preparing for legal uncertainty

The transgender community is bracing for a wave of legal challenges that could affect access to health care and civil rights.

Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ civil rights organization, has received nearly double the usual number of requests from its help desk since the election. “Many are feeling scared and angry and are looking for resources for actions they can take now before the new administration takes office,” explains the group’s deputy legal director, Paul D. Castillo.

Heron Greenesmith, deputy director of policy at the Transgender Law Center, says their group has received a high volume of calls from transgender people trying to understand the process of updating identification documents such as birth certificates and passports.

“Getting identification that matches one’s name and gender is a priority for an administration that promises to be anti-transgender on day one,” Greenesmith told CNN.

The Transgender Law Center offers a online resource especially for identification changes. Here is a list of additional resources and organizations that offer legal assistance.

Providing gender-affirming care

Many transgender people fear losing access to essential treatments. More than half of the states have some restrictions on gender-affirming care, some carrying potential felony chargess.

Now, the 2024 election has sparked fears of federal restrictions.

“People have been asking how to get or keep gender-affirming healthcare,” explains Ash Lazarus Orr, who is with Advocates for Trans Equality. “And we have resources on how to navigate your health care rights in your state or region.”

Here are some of the organizations that offer support and guidance for gender-affirming healthcare.

Trying to stay safe

Violence against the transgender community has increased considerably, with recent FBI data showing: a 16% increase in hate crimes related to gender identity in 2023.

Sean Ebony Coleman founded Destination Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that supports the LGBT community. “We already see bullying; that’s how it starts,” Coleman told CNN, reflecting on the rhetoric of the 2024 presidential race. “Demonization has made it easier because they see us as less than human and less protected. So we’re looking to the community to find ways to keep us safe.”

Coleman became particularly alarmed when political attacks went unanswered.

“It fueled the fear, it fueled the violence and then not seeing the factual information that could counter their claims. You allow them to hit and that hasn’t been stopped,” Coleman exclaimed. “And now we do everything we can to stick up for each other.”

Coleman’s nonprofit is one of many planning an event for Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is observed Nov. 20 at the end of Transgender Awareness Week. The day recognizes people who have lost their lives each year to anti-transgender violence. The Human Rights Campaign reports 28 deaths so far in 2024.

These resources can help provide assistance with security issues.

• The Anti-Violence Project offers a toll-free 24-hour bilingual crisis hotline. Call or text 1-212-714-1141 to report violence anonymously, connect to counseling, or get safety guidance and legal help. You can also report violence online Here.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 or via chat Here. Their advocates can also provide LGBTQ resources and help create a safety plan.
• The RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline it’s 1-800-656-4673. They also offer a online helpline. Their site provides support for LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence.
• THE FORGE provides resources for victims of transsexual crime and violenceand a guide for partners and friends of transsexual sexual violence survivors.
• BWSS provides a safety guide for trans women and trans women.

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