Study reveals: 90% of LGBTQ+ youth in U.S.A. suffer due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics
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A recent study from The Trevor Project has exposed the severe effects that anti-LGBTQ+ policies and political discourse are exerting on queer youth.
On Wednesday (1 May), the suicide prevention and crisis intervention organisation for queer youth unveiled its annual National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. The survey, which involved more than 18,000 queer youth aged 13 to 24 from across the US, revealed ongoing high levels of mental health distress and suicide risk, alongside increasing instances of bullying, discrimination, and violence threats.
As ‘MSN’ writes, the findings illustrated significant distress among queer youth due to the current political climate, with 90 percent of participants reporting that their mental health has deteriorated due to negative comments from politicians and pundits. Fifty-three percent described the impact on their wellbeing as “a lot.”
Furthermore, 45 percent of trans and non-binary youth disclosed that they or their families have contemplated relocating due to anti-LGBTQ+ political and legislative environments in their current states.
This data emerges as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, covering a range including LGBTQ+ inclusion, discrimination protection, gender-affirming healthcare, drag performances, and same-sex marriage, is increasingly being introduced in the U.S.A.. These issues, particularly trans rights, are predicted to be central in this year’s presidential election debates.
Janson Wu, a senior director of state advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, commented on the data, stating, “Much of our work to tackle the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people is substantially hindered by the continuous influx of anti-LGBTQ+ policies promoted by extremist lawmakers across the nation. With such alarming statistics and families contemplating relocation for safety, it’s crucial for lawmakers to seriously assess the profound and harmful effects their policies and statements cause.
“No ‘political victory’ should be worth risking the lives of young people.”
The survey also uncovered that 39 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, with 12 percent attempting suicide. This rate was notably higher among trans and non-binary youth, with nearly half (46 percent) considering suicide. LGBTQ+ youth of colour also experienced higher rates than their white counterparts.
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Nearly 25 percent of respondents reported being physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
On a brighter note, 54 percent of transgender and non-binary youth reported their schools as gender-affirming, which correlated with lower suicide attempt rates. Also, LGBTQ+ youth in highly accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those in significantly unaccepting areas.
However, 49 percent of those aged 13 to 17 faced bullying in the past 12 months, correlating with significantly higher suicide attempt rates.
Moreover, 66 percent of respondents, including about seven out of every 10 trans or non-binary individuals, experienced anxiety symptoms, while over half indicated signs of depression.
Despite facing these mental health challenges, up to half of the youth surveyed were unable to access the necessary support, the data indicated.
Dr. Ronita Nath, vice-president of research at The Trevor Project, informed PinkNews that the report “sheds light on a sombre reality” confronting young queer people.
“LGBTQ+ young people are disproportionately impacted by suicide compared [with] their straight and cisgender peers. LGBTQ+ youth suicide is a public-health crisis and should be treated as such,” she stated.
“Yet, despite consistent data addressing these issues, we continue to see relentless attacks from lawmakers and politicians targeting the rights of LGBTQ+ young people. Over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been proposed in various states this year, mainly targeting transgender and non-binary youth.
“Our research shows that a staggering 90 per cent of LGBTQ+ young people's wellbeing has been adversely affected by recent political climates. It’s clear that respecting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people should not be subject to political debate.
“This survey serves as a crucial reminder that collective action is necessary, and we all have a role in advocating and supporting LGBTQ+ young people everywhere.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
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Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills In The U.S.A. In 2023 Already Surpassed Amount Proposed In Entirety Of 2022
Congressional Equality Caucus Releases Report On The State Of LGBTQ+ Rights In The US
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