Moving or traveling for care: what people are weighing
A growing number of LGBTQ+ people are leaving states with restrictive laws, or crossing state lines for care. Here's what the research shows and what to think about.
Key takeaways
- 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ adults considered moving to another state in the year after the 2024 election.
- Among trans and nonbinary adults, it was 43%.
- Cost is the biggest barrier to moving.
For some LGBTQ+ people, the response to new state laws has been to leave, or to travel to another state for care. For many others, moving isn't possible. Both are real, and neither is a failure.
25%
of LGBTQ+ adults considered moving to a different state
43%
of trans and nonbinary adults considered it
9%
of trans and nonbinary adults actually moved
Why people move
A May 2025 Williams Institute study found that 48% of trans respondents had moved or were thinking about moving somewhere more affirming. Most pointed to concerns about LGBTQ+ rights (76%) or the climate in their state (60%).
In MAP's 2025 survey, people weighing a move cared about more than laws: overall quality of life (94%), affordability (93%), legal protections (92%), and having LGBTQ+ community and allies nearby (91%).
82% of trans people who wanted to relocate said the cost of moving was a barrier.
Young people and families
The Trevor Project found that 39% of LGBTQ+ young people said they or their family had considered moving because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Among trans and nonbinary young people, it was 45%.
If you're traveling for care
- Get copies of your records before your visit so the new provider has your history.
- Check your insurance network in the other state, and whether you need a referral.
- Plan for follow-up. Ask how follow-up visits will work, including whether telehealth is possible across state lines.
- Look for help with costs. Some community groups and funds help with travel.
If you're staying
Staying can mean finding the providers and community that make where you live work for you. See how to find peer support and how to tell if a provider is affirming.
Sources
- Movement Advancement Project, New Survey Reveals Dramatic Changes for LGBTQ Adults Since November 2024, October 2025
- Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, Transgender Travel and Relocation, May 2025
- The Trevor Project, 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People
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