As the country finds itself back in the Trump news cycle with the start of his second presidency, LGBTQ+ people are grappling with heightened levels of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Local mental health professionals say they have seen a significant uptick in clients expressing concerns over the potential rollback of rights and an increase in hostility towards the community.
History of discrimination reemerges
Candy Marcum, 74, a longtime Dallas-based therapist, said she remembers the discrimination the LGBTQ+ community faced during the early days of her career.
“We could lose our jobs easily, or be dishonorably discharged from the military,” she said.
Marcum, who has been in private practice for over 40 years, was instrumental in establishing the Oak Lawn Counseling Center, a place she calls a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals during a time when finding affirming support was rare.
Today, Marcum said, echoes of those earlier struggles are resurfacing. Many LGBTQ+ clients worry about the revocation of rights that were hard-won over the past decades, particularly marriage equality and protections for transgender individuals.
“When you look at what they’re doing to transgender people right now, they’re the most vulnerable population in our community,” she said. “The fear is palpable, but our community is smart and aware of what’s going on. Some people want to run, but we need people to stay and meet this head-on. Whatever anxiety or anger you have can be a mobilizer.”
Mental health impact intensifies
Brian Kennedy, a psychotherapist at Room for Change, a Dallas-based mental health practice, said he has noticed a sharp increase in mental health challenges among LGBTQ+ individuals since the election.
“There’s a lot of fear, especially among transgender and nonbinary individuals. They feel like pawns in a political game,” Kennedy said.
He said that the chaos of this second Trump administration, with its targeted attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender people, is causing many clients to “overestimate risks and underestimate their ability to handle them.” The anxiety, he said, stems not just from national politics but from Texas’s increasingly hostile political climate toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
In fact, The Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization, reported a 700% increase in crisis contacts in the wake of the 2024 election. LGBTQ+ youth are especially vulnerable, with anti-transgender laws contributing to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, according to the organization.
Coping and building resilience
In response to these stressors, both Marcum and Kennedy emphasized the importance of community and activism.
“We’re safer in community,” Marcum said, encouraging individuals to join local LGBTQ+ organizations, from political groups to hobby-based clubs.
Kennedy also said LGBTQ+ people should stay connected and find ways to turn fear into action.
“Queer joy fights so hard against the fear,” he said. “People want us to hide, to go away. Don’t do it. Go out to drag shows, join groups, and invest your time in activism.”
Kennedy believes that action can help LGBTQ+ individuals reclaim control in a time of political chaos.
“People fear therapy sometimes, but we need it now more than ever. Action and therapy help channel the emotions and energy in productive ways,” Kennedy said.
Support for mental health and advocacy
Mental health experts agree that staying connected and seeking support are crucial to navigating the uncertain times ahead.
“Sudden changes in behavior, isolation, and increased substance use are signs to watch for,” Marcum said, adding that friends and family need to check in on each other, especially if they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kennedy stresses the need for more than “lip service” from allies. “Sharing a meme on Facebook isn’t enough. Allies need to step up, show up, and put themselves at risk for the community.”
Mental health resources are available through both national organizations like The Trevor Project and local groups such as the Resource Center.
Despite the current challenges, Marcum said she is optimistic.
“I am a firm believer that the pendulum will swing back. It’s just a matter of how much damage it will do on the right. But we’ve fought before, and we’ll fight again,” she said.
With a renewed focus on advocacy, community, and mental health, LGBTQ+ individuals in Dallas are bracing for another unpredictable political chapter—and preparing to stand together.