rights
Trans man flees US after unending discrimination & violence: "I have to get out or I'm going to die"
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 26, 2026
· 4 min read
Since Elliot Hefty came out as a trans man in 2020, he has lost his job, been evicted, and received KKK flyers at his front door – all because of his gender identity. He was also a victim of sexual assault in a men's bathroom and thinks his gender identity is what caused the perpetrator to act. Afte
Key takeaway After the 2024 presidential election, a person shoved him on the street and began yelling anti-trans slurs.
Why this matters
The case of Elliot Hefty, a trans man fleeing the US due to unrelenting discrimination and violence, highlights the dire consequences of anti-trans policies and rhetoric. His experience is part of a disturbing trend, as a record number of LGBTQ+ individuals are seeking asylum in other countries, according to Rainbow Railroad's report. The significant increase in requests for relocation assistance from within the US, with approximately 31% of last year's requests coming from US residents, suggests a growing sense of desperation and fear among the LGBTQ+ community. This shift is particularly notable, as past requests to leave the US had predominantly come from queer immigrants, whereas now a majority of requests come from US-born individuals like Hefty. The contrast between the US and countries like the Netherlands, where Hefty has found support, underscores the varying levels of protection and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals globally.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Since Elliot Hefty came out as a trans man in 2020, he has lost his job, been evicted, and received KKK flyers at his front door – all because of his gender identity. He was also a victim of sexual assault in a men's bathroom and thinks his gender identity is what caused the perpetrator to act. Afte
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .