Trans Youth Less Likely to Experience Suicidal Ideation When Their Gender Is Affirmed

A new study finds that affirming the gender identity of trans youth saves lives.
Closeup of a nonbinary teenager's face with long blond hair wearing heart shaped sunglasses that reflect the colors of a...
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A recent survey by the Trevor Project confirmed what many already knew: Supporting trans youth saves lives.

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found transgender and nonbinary youth are less likely to attempt suicide when their gender identities are respected and affirmed. The survey examined the experiences of 35,000 U.S. LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. More than a third of those surveyed — or 38% — were trans or nonbinary.

Of those 38%, those who said everyone they live with respects their pronouns reportedly tried to end their lives at half the rate of those who lived with someone who did not respect their gender identity. And respondents who could not change the names or gender markers on legal documents — such as birth certificates or other forms of ID — were more than twice as likely to have attempted suicide in the past year as those who could.

Unfortunately, only 7% of trans and nonbinary youth reported that they successfully changed their legal documents, with 57% reporting they were not legally able to do so. Only 29% said everyone in their home respects their pronouns.

Thus, huge percentages of trans and nonbinary youth continue to be at an increased risk of suicidal ideation. In fact, of the 42% of LGBTQ+ respondents who said they seriously considered taking their own lives over the past year, more than half of those respondents were trans or nonbinary.

Dr. Amy Green, vice president of research at The Trevor Project, called these results “extremely concerning,” saying they “highlight many distinct factors that contribute to LGBTQ youth suicide risk.”

“But we encourage lawmakers, public health officials, and youth-serving organizations to focus on the protective factors illuminated in the data, which point to best practices on how to better support LGBTQ young people,” Dr. Green said in a statement. “Once again, we find that LGBTQ-affirming spaces and transgender-inclusive policies and practices are consistently associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.”

Doctor talking to patient at hospital room with digital tablet
“Gender-affirming surgeries should be made available for transgender and gender diverse people who seek them.”

Yet, conservative lawmakers continue to make it harder for trans people — and especially trans youth — to live freely as themselves. Earlier this month, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill requiring individuals to undergo gender-affirming surgery before changing the gender marker on their birth certificate.

This has been a record year for anti-trans legislation overall, with more than 100 targeting transgender youth access to sports or medical care, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Some of these bills have already become law, including Arkansas’ House Bill 1570, which made it the first state to limit gender-affirming health care for trans youth. Republicans overrode Governor Asa Hutchinson’s veto to pass the legislation.

In the wake of the Trevor Project survey, the organization’s CEO and executive director, Amit Paley, urged GOP legislators across the country to think about the consequences of these bills.

“To all the lawmakers considering anti-transgender bills across the country — we urge you to take a hard look at this evidence and take time out of your day to actually meet with the transgender and nonbinary youth who would be harmed by your misguided proposals,” he said in a statement.

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