I think it’s more that the article is a bit hyperbolic. I live in one of those 32 states that have laws on the books against trans people (and yes, I contacted my state reps to support trans rights), yet we still have a thriving trans community. Our states laws mostly restrict access to certain types of gender-affirming care to adolescents, but no such restrictions exist for adults. There are plenty of trans people and events here, and an overwhelming support for Pride Day and Pride Month activities in urban centers, so LGBT folks have a lot of community support.

I personally didn’t downvote, but I considered it just because the article was a bit ridiculous. If you look at the US just 10-20 years earlier, it was way worse for LGBT people, so we’re moving in the right direction, it’s just two steps forward, one step back. And even if your state has laws on the books that limits access to certain types of care, that doesn’t mean that trans people cannot live there, it just means the community needs to step it up so they feel comfortable.