Risks for Your Child

Suicide

LGBTQ youth rejected by family are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide.
Most teen suicides are impulsive with little or no planning and 70% occur in the victims’ homes.
Of those transgender youth reporting at least one suicide attempt:
– 50.9% were transgender female to male
– 29.9% were transgender from male to female
– 27.9% were adolescents who described themselves as “questioning”.
A survey of 6000 transgender adults revealed that 45% of 18-24 year olds attempted suicide, compared to 4.6% of the overall U.S. population.

Violence and Bullying

Nearly 3 in 4 transgender and gender non-conforming youth hear their family make negative remarks about LGBTQ people. Over half of transgender or gender non-conforming youth say they have been mocked by their family for their identity.
84% of transgender youth said they do not always feel safe in the classroom.
Over half of young transgender people can never use the school restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents were verbally harassed in the past year for being transgender.
Nearly one in ten (9%) were physically attacked in the past year for being transgender.
In 2022, over 150 anti-transgender bills were submitted in state legislatures.

Drug and Substance Abuse

Four percent (4%) of transgender respondents used illicit drugs (not including marijuana and nonmedical use of prescription drugs) in the past month.
Overall, 29% of transgender respondents reported illicit drug use, marijuana consumption, and/or nonmedical prescription drug use in the past month, which is nearly three times the rate in the U.S. population (10%).

Parent support and strong family attunement can protect transgender kids, adolescents, and young adults. Continue reading to learn more about what they are experiencing and how your reactions can help or hurt.