A recent report from Data for Progress has revealed that former President Donald Trump is gaining favor among 22 percent of LGBTQ+ adults, despite the majority supporting President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. The survey also found that many LGBTQ+ Democrats believe the party should do more to protect transgender and queer Americans from anti-LGBTQ+ laws. While 57 percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party and 51 percent of Biden, Trump’s increased support could have implications for future election results.
The higher support for Trump among LGBTQ+ individuals may be attributed to the policy issues they prioritize, such as the economy, jobs, and inflation, rather than LGBTQ+ and abortion issues. Experts suggest that while Trump may be gaining some support within the LGBTQ+ community, it is unlikely that major numbers of LGBTQ+ voters will choose him in November due to his stance evolving since the 2016 national election. Additionally, there is concern that excitement for casting a ballot among younger LGBTQ+ individuals may be waning, as many feel that neither political party truly cares about them.
Both Biden and Trump have made efforts to garner support from LGBTQ+ Americans, who make up at least 7 percent of the national population. Biden launched a reelection campaign called “Out for Biden-Harris,” while former First Lady Melania Trump hosted a fundraiser with conservative LGBTQ+ group Log Cabin Republicans. However, recent polls show Biden leading Trump in the election, with 47 percent supporting Biden compared to 45 percent for Trump in a Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Mainstreet Research survey. Another poll found that Biden was ahead by 9 points for people who voted in the 2020 general election and 2022 midterm elections.
Overall, the survey results indicate a complex landscape within the LGBTQ+ community regarding political preferences. While Trump is gaining some support, the majority still supports Biden and the Democratic Party. The prioritization of policy issues over LGBTQ+ issues and the perception that neither political party truly cares about LGBTQ+ individuals may impact voting behavior in the upcoming election. It will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out as the election approaches and both candidates continue their efforts to secure support from the LGBTQ+ community.
