State laws targeting transgender people are reportedly directly causing more trans and non-binary youth to attempt suicide, according to new research from the Trevor Project.
The first-of-its kind study was published last week in the Nature Human Behavior journal. So far, it is the only study that has established a link between the increasing number of anti-trans legislation and the heightened number of suicide attempts within the LGBTQ+ community.
The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, surveyed more than 61,000 trans and nonbinary young people, ages 16 to 24. The organization examined their mental health between 2018 and 2022, a period in which 48 anti-trans laws were put into place by 19 different state governments, according to the Trevor Project. In those four years, research shows suicide attempts rose by as much as 74%.
“[T]he recent wave of anti-transgender laws in the United States is quite literally risking the lives of young people across the country,” Dr. Ronita Nath, Vice President of Research at The Trevor Project, said in a statement. “[T]his study critically confirms – for the first time – a causal relationship between anti-transgender laws and heightened suicide risk among transgender and nonbinary young people.”
The study’s findings show a “significant increase” in suicide attempts among all trans and non-binary youth whose home state passed at least one anti-trans law. By comparing this increase to trans and non-binary young people in states that did not enact these laws, the Trevor Project was able to prove a link in suicide-related outcomes.
The highest increase of suicide attempts was found in participants younger than 18. Suicide rates ranged between 7% to 72% in this age group. Across the entire study, suicide attempt rates of 38% to 44% were found.
“It is without question that anti-transgender policies, and the dangerous rhetoric surrounding them, take a measurable toll on the health and safety of transgender and nonbinary young people all across the country,” said Jaymes Black, Chief Executive Officer at The Trevor Project.
In 2023, 53 anti-trans bills were introduced at the federal level, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker. In 2024, 45 anti-trans bills have been passed in 16 states, targeting healthcare, education, sports, civil rights, and more. A total of 658 anti-trans bills have been introduced at a national or state level this year so far, more than any other year on record. Trans Legislation Tracker reports this is the fifth consecutive record-breaking year.
