A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour has highlighted the alarming impact of anti-transgender legislation on suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) youth in the United States. The study, conducted over four years and analyzing data from over 61,000 TGNB individuals, found that states enacting anti-trans laws saw a significant increase in suicide attempts among TGNB youth aged 13 to 17, with rates rising by up to 72%.
The research focused on laws targeting gender-affirming care, bathroom access, and school policies, and utilized a difference-in-differences approach to compare suicide attempt rates before and after the implementation of anti-trans laws. The findings showed statistically significant increases in suicide attempts among TGNB youth in states with anti-trans laws, relative to those without such laws.
The study’s authors emphasized the urgent need to consider the mental health impact of anti-transgender legislation and to advocate for protective policies. With 48 anti-trans laws enacted in the U.S. since 2018, the research serves as a stark warning to policymakers about the potentially deadly consequences of these laws on TGNB youth.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, highlighted the detrimental impact of anti-trans policies on the well-being of TGNB individuals. As the 2024 election season approaches, the study’s authors hope their findings will influence voters and policymakers to prioritize the mental health and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth.
The study underscores the importance of promoting gender-affirming care and protecting the rights of TGNB individuals to improve mental health outcomes and prevent tragic consequences like suicide attempts. Dr. Ronita Nath, one of the study’s co-authors, stressed the need to prioritize the well-being of trans youth, emphasizing that they deserve better than the harmful effects of anti-transgender legislation.
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