LGBTQ+ ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR
Defending Our Progress: LGBTQ+ Rights on the Ballot Across the Country
This election season, direct democracy is on the front lines of LGBTQ+ equality. Voters in seven states face critical ballot measures that will determine the future of civil rights, youth well-being, healthcare autonomy, and marriage equality in their communities.
While advocates in some states are fighting to anchor comprehensive protections directly into state constitutions, anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives in other states threaten to roll back essential rights for transgender youth and their families.
Here is what is on the ballot this year, backed by key research highlighting what is at stake for the LGBTQ+ community.
1. Opposing Anti-Trans School Bans & Exclusionary Policies
Transgender youth deserve to belong, learn, and play sports alongside their peers without fear of discrimination or harassment. Research from The Trevor Project reveals that 40% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being prevented from using gender-affirming restrooms, and youth in exclusionary environments experience significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression.
Despite this, measures in three states aim to exclude trans students from school activities and safe facilities by enforcing strict, sex-assigned-at-birth restrictions:
Arizona (Proposition 318): A discriminatory measure designed to bar transgender students from participating in school sports aligning with their gender identity and exclude them from using single-sex spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms.
Nebraska (Initiative Measure 442): An exclusionary initiative that seeks to ban transgender girls and women from K–12 and collegiate female sports teams.
Washington (Initiative 638): An invasive proposal that introduces sex-verification requirements for female sports categories, compromising privacy and creating barriers for all young female athletes.
2. Protecting Youth Healthcare Autonomy
Transgender and nonbinary youth thrive when they have access to age-appropriate,
medically necessary healthcare supported by every major American medical association. Studies show that access to gender-affirming hormone therapy is associated with a 38% lower risk of depression in transgender youth, while identity document affirmation leads to 45% lower odds of suicidal ideation.
Voters in two states face initiatives that seek to restrict healthcare choices for young people:
Colorado (Proposition 135): An initiative aimed at curtailing essential medical care by banning gender-affirming surgical treatments for minors.
Missouri (Amendment 3): A compound measure that restricts reproductive healthcare access while simultaneously imposing bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
3. Advancing Constitutional Protections & Marriage Equality
Advocates are working proactively to fortify human rights at the state level, building safeguards against future legal rollbacks and expanding non-discrimination guarantees. While national support for same-sex marriage remains strong—with 65% of Americans supporting legal same-sex marriage (including 78% of young adults aged 18–34) according to Gallup—state-level protections are critical to preventing federal backsliding.
Vermont (Proposal 4): A historic Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) that will permanently embed protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity into the Vermont Constitution. Demonstrating broad consensus, the measure passed the Vermont State Senate unanimously (29–0) before reaching the ballot.
Virginia (Question 2): A vital constitutional amendment to strip out outdated, legacy language banning same-sex marriage from the state constitution, ensuring that marriage equality remains fully protected under state law regardless of federal shifts.
How You Can Take Action
Ballot measures directly shape the daily lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and youth. Protecting our community requires informed action and high turnout:
Verify Your Registration: Double-check your voter registration status and local polling place today.
Know Your Ballot: Research the full text and community impact of measures on your state ballot.
Mobilize Your Network: Share accurate information with friends, family, and neighbors to help defeat harmful initiatives and pass pro-equality protections.
Stand up for equality this election season. Visit your state’s official voter portal or local election authority to view your sample ballot and voting schedule.
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