A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

 Published by: Journal of LGBT Youth.  2020. Author: Ruari-Santiago McBride.

Find more articles on affirmative care for trans youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

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“In this article I review 83 empirical studies that provide insight into the secondary school experiences of trans youth.  The studies show that while some trans youth have affirming experiences, the majority are exposed to institutionalized cisnormativity that makes them vulnerable to macroaggressions, microaggressions and violence within school settings. Trans youth’s exposure to institutionalized cisnormativity was found to intersect with multiple vectors of social power, which subject some trans youth to multiple forms of disadvantage while affording others degrees of privilege.  In conclusion, the findings show that trans youth’s educational experiences reflect broader structural inequalities yet defy essentializing explanations.”

https://www.academia.edu/42009727/A_literature_review_of_the_secondary_school_experiences_of_trans_youth?email_work_card=view-paper

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Published by: Murdoch University, Young and Well Collective.  June 2016. Author: Jance Pearce, Wendy Cumming-Potvin, Veronica Gardiner.

A comprehensive document outlining  strategies and interventions to build increased awareness and to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents, which leads directly to improved outcomes.  

“Accounts of teachers’ struggles to create safe classrooms and inclusive practices provide valuable insights for other educators, for whom this resource has been written.  The resource builds on the productive work of many community and government organisations, such as the Safe Schools Coalition, Freedom Centre, Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education and the Equal Opportunity Commission, to raise awareness of and support sexual and gender diversity in schools.  It is hoped this resource will be of interest to every educator who wants to engage in conversations to counter discrimination  and bullying specific to gender and sexuality and protect the human rights of all young people, including those who self-identify as LGBTQI.”

https://www.academia.edu/33920096/supporting_gender_and_sexual_diversity_in_high_schools.pdf?email_work_card=thumbnail

Don't Believe What You Read About Transition Regret

A loving, first person account of their transition and the dangers of overrelying on the few stories regret that become publicly so visible.

Find more about affirmative care for trans and gender nonconforming youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And follow us on Facebook for updates: @gdaffirmative

Published in Metro. Oct 23, 2019.  Author: Owl.

“I was 18 years old when I first came out as transgender. 

“I’d been harbouring it for as long as I can remember, but wasn’t properly able to articulate it until then. I simply didn’t know that it was a thing, or that there were other people like me. 

“Even when I did tell everyone and started living as myself, there was still a lot of shame, secrecy and fear about being transgender. One of the biggest fears surrounding it was the possibility of regret, or regretting undergoing hormone therapy and genital surgery. 

“Some people thought that I was simply a gay man who was a bit confused, and that I’d end up regretting this all later on if I went through with it. I knew I wasn’t a gay man, and I was fortunate enough to be raised in an environment where I could have easily come out as one. That just wasn’t me. For me (and for transgender people in general) it was never about who I was attracted to, or my sexual orientation…”

“So let’s not forget the bigger picture here, and the thousands of people that benefit from being able to medically transition and undergoing genital surgery. This doesn’t mean we’re not going to talk about those that experience regret. 

“We have to be able to have more nuanced and frank discussions about health care for transgender people, without regret being used to jeopardise the well-being of people who need transgender related health care. 

“Only that way can we truly create well-rounded solutions and health care that minimises the chance of regret, and allows everyone the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.”

https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/23/dont-believe-what-you-read-about-transition-regret-10961836/

Interrupting institutional heteronormativity: School counsellors' role in advocating for gender and sexually diverse students

An important piece on how school counselors and other school allies can be instrumental in creating a safe space for these vulnerable youth, and can make a dramatic impact towards their wellbeing and safety.

Find more information on affirmative care for trans and gender nonbinary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And Like/Follow us on Facebook for updates: @gdaffirmative

Published in: Canadian Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 2019. Author: Tanya Surette.

“Abstract:

“Many gender and sexually diverse students continue to view their schools as a hostile and oppressive environment. The focus in research has shifted more recently from individualizing this problem to understanding the complex systemic and institutional contributors to the ongoing marginalization of this population. As an integral part of the school system, school counsellors are uniquely positioned to offer important individual- and group-level supports to these students. Using narrative interviewing, this qualitative study provides an opportunity to visit the lived experiences of 6 current gender and sexually diverse high school students and their encounters with heteronormativity at school. Their stories offer insights into factors contributing to their distress and demonstrate stress-ameliorating factors that could be used to guide school counsellors who advocate for the safety and inclusion of students with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities…”

“Conclusion:

“The findings from this study offer important insights from students who are currently trying to navigate the often hostile and heterosexist school spaces. By listening to their experiences, opportunities are illuminated for school counsellors to work with students, educators, administrators, and policymakers, to create meaningful changes in their schools and promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning environment. 

“Based on the most recent Canadian study exploring school climates about gender and sexual diversity, there remains a high number of gender- and sexually-diverse students who are uncomfortable accessing support, regarding topics of gender and sexuality, from their school counsellor (Taylor et al., 2011). School counsellors are uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for empowerment, advocacy, self-determination, and reflection with individual students and groups. Counsellors can support students in advocating for a more inclusive and democratic educational experience. 

“Often, when teachers encounter a student who is having trouble at school, they will reach out to the school counsellor for guidance and support. By listening to the stories contained in this paper, counsellors can better understand the barriers that students who are gender- and sexually-diverse experience when pursuing their right to develop a healthy identity. School counsellors can collaborate with their educational team. They can also collaborate with gender- and sexually-diverse youth to create school spaces that help them thrive, and allow space for diverse gender expressions and non-heteronormative sexual orientations.”

https://www.academia.edu/41076146/Interrupting_institutional_heteronormativity_School_counsellors_role_in_advocating_for_gender_and_sexually_diverse_students?email_work_card=view-paper

The Delaware Journal of Public Health: LGBT Health Equity

This issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health is devoted to LGBT Health Equity and features several articles relevant to trans and gender nonbinary youth and adults. Several are listed below, and others in the journal are interesting as well.

Most notable are:

Keeping Youth Alive: Considerations for Suicide Prevention of Gender Diverse Youth. Author: Elise Mora, LCSW.

“Objective. This article examines suicidality of gender expansive youth and identifies evidence=based practical interventions for healthcare professionals and other adults who interact with gender expansive youth…

“Results. Gender expansive youth are at significantly heightened risk of suicide compared to their cisgender peers. Nonbinary youth are the most vulnerable of all subgroups.

“Conclusion: Explicit recommendations for enhancing resilience for this population complete the article. More research is critical for this demographic, as current literature is severely limited.”

A Mother’s Story. Author: Sally McBride.

“Sally and David McBride’s youngest child came out as transgender on Christmas Day 2011 as a junior at American University. The news rocked their world. Here is their story as told by Sally.”

Building Resilience, Reducing Risk: Four Pillars to Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBT Youth. Author: Rev Karla Fleshman, LCSW, M.Div.

“Abstract. In 2017 Delaware, LGBTQ+ Youth reported that almost 1 out of 3 were bullied on school grounds. Additionally, over 50% reported feeling sad/hopeless, and almost as many seriously considered suicide as an option, while 32% planned for suicide with almost 1 in 4 reported having acted on their suicide plan at least once. Of all the students who reported a suicide attempt, 10% required medical treatment as a result of their attempt. The Delaware Department of Education does not have comprehensive statewide protections in place to support some of our most vulnerable youth, yet school districts can make a positive difference in implementing policy/practices to build resilience and reduce risk.

“This article will focus on four key areas where schools and school districts may implement changes toward creating safer, more supportive schools: (1) policy/procedures that protect LGBTQ+ students at the administrative level; (2) comprehensive cultural sensitivity training for serving LGBTQ+ students and their families; (3) incorporating inclusive curriculum on LGBTQ+ history into the classroom; (4) and creating, supporting, and sustaining gender and sexuality alliances in both the middle and high schools.”

https://www.academia.edu/39955943/LGBTQ_Health_Equity

Medically Assisted Gender Affirmation When Children and Parents Disagree

Medically Assisted Gender Affirmation When Children and Parents Disagree

Published in: Journal of Medical Ethics. December, 2019. Authors: Samuel Dubin, Megan Lane Shane Morrison, Asa Radix, Uri Belkind, Christian Vercler, David Inwards-Breland

A thought provoking article on the ethics of situations where parents and children disagree about trans healthcare.

Find more on affirmative care for trans youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

Like/follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

Abstract

“Institutional guidelines for transgender children and adolescent minors fail to adequately address a critical juncture of care of this population: how to proceed if a minor and their parents have disagreements concerning their gender-affirming medical care. Through arguments based on ethical, paediatric, adolescent and transgender health research, we illustrate ethical dilemmas that may arise in treating transgender and gender diverse youth.”

“We discuss three potential avenues for providing gender-affirming care over parental disagreement: legal carve-outs to parental consent, the mature minor doctrine and state intervention for neglect. Our discussion approaches this parent–child disagreement in a manner that prioritises the developing autonomy of transgender youth in the decision-making process surrounding medically assisted gender affirmation. We base our arguments in the literature surrounding the risks and benefits of gender-affirming therapy in transgender children and the existing legal basis for recognizing minors.”

Conclusions

“Despite the absence of clear clinical guidelines for transgender minors seeking medical treatment in the absence of parental consent, there is sufficient ethical precedent and clinical data to conclude that treatment should not be withheld when a minor is at risk of undue suffering. Because there is evidence to suggest dysphoria and associated comorbidities would be relieved by treatment, this logic aligns with Diekema’s criteria for over-riding parental consent and Mill’s Harm Principle. Although guidance is not law, the capacity of a transgender minor should be strongly advocated for in a matter consistent with a provider’s general treatment of adolescents in any other medical decision-makingsettings such as STI services and contraception. The clinician should consider the decision to pursue hormone therapy or surgery in relation to current guidelines, risks to the individual patient and the child’s decision-making capacity.”

DOWNLOAD HERE

(Shared with permission.)

American Psychoanalytic Association Speaks Out Against Harmful Laws Targeting Transgender Youth and Healthcare Providers

American Psychoanalytic Association Speaks Out Against Harmful Laws Targeting Transgender Youth and Healthcare Providers

The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group respects and fully endorses the position of the American Psychoanalytic Association and wants to express thanks for their position affirming the rights and needs of this vulnerable population.

Find more information on affirmative care for trans and non binary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And like/follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

“New York, NY – February 4, 2020– The American Psychoanalytic Association urges South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to reject a recently passed bill in the state legislature known as the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB 1057). This harmful legislation would make it a misdemeanor for physicians or any other medical professional to perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors or anyone who provides patients younger than 16-years-old with hormone therapy. If passed, South Dakota would be the first state to impose such a law.”"

““APsaA strongly opposes efforts to legislate appropriate medical treatments for transgender youth based on political ideologies that ignore both scientific research and expert clinical opinion,” said Lee Jaffe, president of the Association. “This law is fundamentally dangerous and if it becomes law would jeopardize the health and mental well-being of transgender youth in South Dakota.””

“Since the start of the 2020 legislative session, at least six states have proposed measures to restrict transgender minors' access to gender reassignment treatments, including surgery and hormone therapy. Some of the bills would make it illegal for physicians to administer the treatments, while others would classify the act as child abuse. If HB 1057 becomes law, it would make South Dakota the first state to make it illegal for physicians to assist minors in their gender reassignment process.”

““As psychoanalysts, we know from research and clinical expertise that discriminatory laws such as this law in South Dakota and elsewhere will have long-term mental health consequences for transgender youth, contributing to increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. We call on leaders to reject these misguided and dangerous laws.”'“

‘Since 1991, APsaA has issued numerous position statements supporting LGBTQ people regarding discrimination in military service, marriage equality, parenting, efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity, and bullying and harassment. For a link to our position statements, please visit www.apsa.org/position-statements.”

“The American Psychoanalytic Association is the oldest and largest professional organization for psychoanalysts in North America, representing 3,000 members, 32 approved training institutes, and 38 affiliate societies throughout the United States. Visit apsa.org for more information.”

https://apsa.org/content/apsaa-speaks-out-against-harmful-laws-targeting-transgender-youth-and-healthcare-providers

Scientific American: Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia:- Actual research shows that sex is anything but binary

Scientific American:

Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia:- Actual research shows that sex is anything but binary

Published in: Scientific American. June 13, 2019. Author: Simón(e) D Sun.

A piece in Scientific American from last summer. The full piece is worth the read.

Find more on affirmative care for trans youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And like/follow us on Facebook for regular updates: @gdaffirmative

“While this is a small overview, the science is clear and conclusive: sex is not binary, transgender people are real. It is time that we acknowledge this. Defining a person’s sex identity using decontextualized “facts” is unscientific and dehumanizing. The trans experience provides essential insights into the science of sex and scientifically demonstrates that uncommon and atypical phenomena are vital for a successful living system. Even the scientific endeavor itself is quantifiably better when it is more inclusive and diverse. So, no matter what a pundit, politician or internet troll may say, trans people are an indispensable part of our living reality.”

“Transgender humans represent the complexity and diversity that are fundamental features of life, evolution and nature itself. That is a fact.’

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/stop-using-phony-science-to-justify-transphobia

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Published in Pediatrics. February, 2020.: Authors: Jack L. Turban, Dana King, Jeremi M. Carswelland Alex S. Keuroghlian.

The full article is behind a paywall and not everyone will have access, but the overview itself will be helpful for many.

Find more research on affirmative care for trans and non binary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

Like/Follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

“BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are commonly prescribed to suppress endogenous puberty for transgender adolescents. There are limited data regarding the mental health benefits of this treatment. Our objective for this study was to examine associations between access to pubertal suppression during adolescence and adult mental health outcomes.”

“METHODS:Using a cross-sectional survey of 20 619 transgender adults aged 18 to 36 years, we examined self-reported history of pubertal suppression during adolescence. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations between access to pubertal suppression and adult mental health outcomes, including multiple measures of suicidality.”

“RESULTS:Of the sample, 16.9% reported that they ever wanted pubertal suppression as part of their gender-related care. Their mean age was 23.4 years, and 45.2% were assigned male sex at birth. Of them, 2.5% received pubertal suppression. After adjustment for demographic variables and level of family support for gender identity, those who received treatment with pubertal suppression, when compared with those who wanted pubertal suppression but did not receive it, had lower odds of lifetime suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.2–0.6).”

“CONCLUSIONS:This is the first study in which associations between access to pubertal suppression and suicidality are examined. There is a significant inverse association between treatment with pubertal suppression during adolescence and lifetime suicidal ideation among transgender adults who ever wanted this treatment. These results align with past literature, suggesting that pubertal suppression for transgender adolescents who want this treatment is associated with favorable mental health outcomes.”

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20191725?

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

Published: January 28, 2020.

Yesterday, WPATH and USPATH released a joint statement about a recent and troubling trend across various states in the US. The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group fully endorses what is written here.

A web link to the statement can be found here: https://listloop.com/wpath/mail.cgi/archive/adhoc/20200128125839/

Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age and to Penalize Professionals who Provide that Medical Care

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and its US chapter, the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH), vehemently oppose the legislation being proposed in Florida (HB 1365), South Carolina (HB 4716), South Dakota (HB 1057), Colorado (HB 20-1114), and similar legislation in other states.  These bills seek to deny evidence-based care for transgender people under 18 years of age and to penalize professionals who provide that medical care.  These bills will punish practitioners of gender affirming care with revocation of their medical license, or up to 15 years in prison in some states.  These bills will treat health care providers as if they committed manslaughter or arson.  

Many of the procedures mentioned by these bills are not even offered to transgender youth, revealing these bills to be alarmist expressions of ill-informed opinion. Guidance for the provision of medical care for transgender youth is outlined within the 7th edition of Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People created by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (Coleman et al. 2012). The guidelines differentiate between children and adolescents with regard to the provision of care. 

Under the SOC, children do not receive any of the medical care identified within these bills, but mental health and social supports are provided to them along with their families.  Surgeries on genitals and reproductive systems are considered for people who are typically over 18 years of age (depending on the age of consent and other relevant factors in the pertinent jurisdiction) and have been living in their affirmed gender for at least 12 months. Medical treatments that might be recommend for certain adolescents include puberty-blocking medication and – in carefully selected cases – hormone replacement therapies and surgery, most often non-genital. These treatments are not offered without conscientious medical attention and informed clinical evaluation.

Puberty suppression has been found to be very beneficial for transgender adolescents, and it is reversible (Mahfouda et al. 2017; Olson-Kennedy et al. 2018; Hodax et al. 2019; Salas-Humara et al. 2019).  Further, a recently published study has concluded that transgender adults who had access to pubertal blockers had a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to those transgender adults who did not have access to pubertal blockers (Turban et al. 2020).

We are disturbed by these attempts to legislate medical treatment without expert guidance from the relevant national medical organizations or even testimony from experienced, qualified local or regional providers and patients for whom these treatments have been beneficial, if not lifesaving. Given the climate in which these bills are presented, however, we can imagine that few young patients or their parents would be willing to present themselves for the scrutiny of potentially hostile legislators and the activists who are promoting these damaging bills. 

All medical treatment is a crucial and very personal service that virtually everyone depends upon at some point in their lives, and it should not be delivered or restricted according to the whims of distant lawmakers who know little or nothing about the circumstances of an individual’s life. Proper medical care for any condition is a matter best negotiated between patients and their trained and qualified medical providers who are relying on clinical evidence and experience. 

These bills attempt to criminalize treatments or at best restrict medical professionals from helping their patients and their families. Since transgender children, adolescents, or adults cannot be legislated out of existence, these bills seem to be a misguided attempt to prevent transgender people from coming forward for services they need in order to live healthy lives. 

We urge you to reject these harmful bills and assure your transgender constituents and their families that their health and well-being is just as important as your own.

Click here for an additional WPATH Statement in Response to Calls for Banning Evidence-Based Supportive Health Interventions for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth.

References

Coleman E, Bockting W, Botzer M, et al (2012) Standards of care for the health of transsexual,

transgender, and gender-nonconforming people, version 7. Int J Transgenderism 13:165–232

Hodax JK, Wagner J, Sackett-Taylor AC, et al (2019) Medical options for care of gender diverse and

Transgender youth. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol S1083-3188(19)30206–2.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.05.010

Mahfouda S, Moore JK, Siafarikas A, et al (2017) Puberty suppression in transgender children and

adolescents. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 5:816–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30099-2

Olson-Kennedy J, Okonta V, Clark LF, Belzer M (2018) Physiologic Response to Gender-Affirming

Hormones Among Transgender Youth. J Adolesc Health 62:397–401.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.08.005

Salas-Humara C, Sequeira GM, Rossi W, Dhar CP (2019) Gender affirming medical care of transgender

youth. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 49:100683.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2019.100683

Turban JL, King D, Carswell JM, Keuroghlian AS. Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of

Suicidal Ideation. Pediatrics. 2020 Jan 23. pii: e20191725

Yadegarfard M, Meinhold-Bergmann ME, Ho R (2014) Family rejection, social isolation, and loneliness as

predictors of negative health outcomes (depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual risk behavior) among

Thai male-to-female transgender adolescents. J LGBT Youth 11:347–363

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL POLICY STATEMENT

WPATH Board of Directors

USPATH Board of Directors

STAFF

President

Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD

President

Erica Anderson, PhD

Executive Director

Sue O’Sullivan; sue@wpath.org

President-Elect

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

President-Elect

Madeline Deutsch, MD, MPH

Executive Director of Global Education & Development

Donna Kelly; donna@wpath.org

Secretary

Randi Ettner, PhD

Secretary/Treasurer

Emilia Lombardi, PhD

Deputy Executive Director

Blaine Vella; blaine@wpath.org

Treasurer

Baudewijntje Kreukels, PhD

Immediate Past-President

Gail Knudson, MD, MEd, FRCPC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tamara Adrian, JD Marci Bowers, MD

Tone Maria Hansen, MSN Ren Massey, PhD

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Loren Schechter, MD Jaimie Veale, PhD

Immediate Past-President Joshua Safer, MD, FACP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dana (Thomas) Bevan, PhD John Capozuca, PhD

Lisa Griffin, PhD

Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD, MS

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Student Representative

Nova Bradford, BA

Communications Director

Jamison Green; jamison@veritasmeetingsolutions.com

EPATH Representative

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

USPATH Representative

Erica Anderson, PhD

GEI Representative (Ex-Officio)

Lin Fraser, EdD

Student Representative (Ex-Officio)

Penelope Strauss, BA, MPH

Substance Use Among a National Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents: Intersections of Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity

Substance Use Among a National Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents: Intersections of Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity

A study published just this week documenting the very high rates of alcohol and substance use in sexual and gender minority populations.  While this study does not address possible motivations for that use, it is well documented by other research that such use is most often the result of the stigma, discrimination, and abuse to which these LGBTQIA+ youth are subjected.  We are posting it here because this data may be useful as part of advocacy and service development for these vulnerable youth.

Published in LGBT Health. January 13, 2020.  Authors: Ryan J. Watson, Jessica N. Fish, Timothy McKay, Samuel H. Allen, Lisa Eaton, Rebecca M. Puhl.

“Purpose:We examined how substance use differed as a function of sex assigned at birth and gender identity (cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary/genderqueer) by type of substance. We sought to test whether current gender identity and sex assigned at birth were key factors in substance use among a large contemporary sample that included transgender and nonbinary/genderqueer adolescents.

“Methods:We analyzed data from a large national U.S. sample of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents (n = 11,129) collected between April and December 2017. Chi-square tests of independence were used to test whether substance use behaviors varied by sex assigned at birth and gender identity. A series of multivariate logistic regression models tested the odds of substance use by sex assigned at birth and gender identity, as well as the interaction between sex assigned at birth and gender identity.

“Results:More than half of our sample reported lifetime alcohol use, and one-fourth of the sample reported lifetime marijuana use. Adolescents assigned male at birth had higher prevalence of substance use compared with adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB). Multivariate models elucidated greater risk for most substance use outcomes for transgender adolescents compared with cisgender adolescents. We found significant interaction effects between gender identity and sex assigned at birth for recent alcohol use and lifetime and recent cigarette use among adolescents AFAB.

“Conclusions:These findings have implications for stakeholders who develop nationally representative surveys, researchers who examine substance use disparities among SGM adolescents, and mental health professionals who treat underage substance use among vulnerable populations.”

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/lgbt.2019.0066?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LGBT%20FP%20JAN%2016%202020&d=1/16/2020&mcid=1865740788

Trans and Non-Binary Children and Youth: A Roadmap for improving Services in Ontario

TRANS AND NON-BINARY CHILDREN AND YOUTH: A ROADMAP FOR IMPROVING SERVICES IN ONTARIO

Posting this as a very comprehensive report on the needs of trans and gender nonbinary youth, and information on how services might be developed to address those issues. It would be a useful read for educators, social service directors, family members, legislators, or others involved in work to affirm these vulnerable youth.  This is relevant not just in Ontario but in so many other contexts as well.

Published by: Rainbow Health Ontario.  2019.  Authors: Loralee Gillis, Dominic Popowich, Dr. Ilene Hyman, J. Skelton, Susan Barrass.  

“Executive Summary:

“Awareness of trans and non-binary children and youth is increasing, both socially and among service agencies. However, despite legislative and regulatory progress in trans rights, the specific needs of trans and non-binary children and youth remain largely unaddressed. Many agencies looking to strengthen their supports for this vulnerable group and their caregivers don’t yet know how, leaving trans and non-binary children and youth to encounter avoidable problems.

“Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO), a program of Sherbourne Health, led a needs assessment to learn about ongoing concerns and challenges faced by trans and non-binary children and youth; their parents and caregivers; and their service providers. Evidently, significant barriers remain for these children and youth to have access to needed health care in a timely way, and to fully participate in their families, communities and broader society. 

“In this report, we review the current literature on trans and non-binary children and youth and share their perspectives, along with those of their caregivers, on their health and social needs. We also offer evidence for policy and service development in support of these populations, and provide cross-sectoral recommendations for public and community sector agencies to better address the needs of these youth and their families.”

https://www.academia.edu/41337441/TRANS_AND_NON-BINARY_CHILDREN_AND_YOUTH_A_ROADMAP_FOR_IMPROVING_SERVICES_IN_ONTARIO?email_work_card=title

Understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adolescents’ suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour

Understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adolescents’ suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour 

Another report, this one from the UK, again documenting that hostile social forces and lack of social supports – not the LGBTQ+ identity – are the primary driver of LGBTQ+ suicide.  Create a more affirming and nurturing environment, and these youth can thrive. 

Department of Health Policy Research Programme Project Understanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Adolescents' Suicide, Self-Harm and Help-Seeking Behaviour. June 30, 2016.  Authors: Elizabeth McDermott (Lancaster University), Elizabeth Hughes (University of Huddersfield) & Victoria Rawlings (Lancaster University).

“Executive summary 

“Background 

“International research demonstrates that LGBT youth are at much higher risk of suicide and self-harm compared to their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts. Evidence in the UK is sparse and only beginning to establish sexual and gender identity as a risk factor for adolescent suicide and self-harm, and as a result of this research scarcity we also know very little about help seeking behavior. The Suicide Prevention Strategy (2012) has identified LGBT youth as a high risk group but currently there is limited evidence to develop effective suicide prevention policy and practice.”

“Key findings 

“Understanding LGBT youth self-harm and suicide 

“Similar to findings from other studies on youth suicide, those who had self-harmed and/or had a disability had an increased likelihood of planned or attempted suicide. Gender identity was also a risk factor for self-harm and suicide. Those who were gender diverse (Trans/unsure) were nearly twice as likely to have self-harmed and one and a half times more likely to have planned or attempted suicide than cisgender participants. Cisgender males were the least likely to plan or attempt suicide, or self-harm compared to other gender identities. There were five interconnecting areas which explained the elevated risk of suicide and self-harm in LGBT youth: 1) homophobia, biphobia or transphobia; 2) sexual and gender norms; 3) managing sexual orientation and gender identity across multiple areas of life; 4) being unable to talk and; 5) other life crises.” 

“1. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 

“The majority (70.8%, n=527) of the sample had experienced direct abuse or negative interactions about their sexual or gender identity when they were self-harming or feeling suicidal. A great number of these incidents had occurred in schools but the participants experienced this hostility across all areas of life e.g. in public, leisure spaces, work, religious places and on the internet. Those who experienced abuse were one and a half times more likely to plan or attempt suicide. Bisexual participants were least likely to experience abuse compared to other sexual orientation groupings. Trans and disabled participants were twice as likely to experience abuse related to their sexual orientation/ gender identity than those who were not. They were also more likely to indicate that the abuse influenced their self-harm and suicidal feelings. Those who reported they were affected by homophobic abuse had double the odds of planning or attempting suicide.” 

“2. Sexual and gender norms 

“Sexual and gender norms that made many participants feel that something was wrong with them (because they were not heterosexual or cisgender), without being told or abused directly, also caused distress. Almost half the questionnaire participants felt negative about their sexual or gender identity during the time they were self-harming or felt suicidal; a far lower proportion felt positive about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Gender diverse participants were most likely to feel negative, and bisexual young people least likely to feel negative, about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Those who felt negative about their sexual and/or gender identity were more likely to have planned or attempted suicide.”

“3. Managing sexual orientation and gender identity across multiple areas of life 

“Making decisions about whether to disguise or hide their sexual orientation or gender identity in different contexts (e.g. school, home, public, internet, leisure places) and to a variety of people, impacted negatively on the participants’ mental health. The majority of young people found hiding their sexuality and gender identity distressing. Gender diverse participants were over three and a half times more likely to feel distressed about hiding their sexual orientation/gender identity compared to cisgender young people. Bisexual  participants were significantly less distressed than other sexual identity groupings. Those who found hiding their sexual orientation and gender identity distressing were nearly two times more likely to self-harm. Young people who reported that keeping their sexual orientation/ gender identity a secret strongly affected their self-harm and suicidal feelings were significantly more likely to attempt or plan suicide.” 

“4. Being unable to talk 

“Almost three quarters of participants (74.1%, n=533) indicated that not being able to talk about their feelings and emotions (in relation to their mental health, sexuality and gender identity) strongly influenced their self-harm and suicidal feelings. Those young people who felt more affected by not being able to talk about their emotions had significantly higher rates of self-harm and were nearly two and a half times more likely to report they had attempted or planned suicide” 

“5. Other life crises 

“Participants experienced a range of additional reasons for distress that were unrelated to sexual orientation/ gender identity. The most common were academic pressure, problems with friends, bullying, family breakdown, participant illness, financial problems, romantic relationships ending, and previous experiences of abuse…”

“Conclusions 

“To develop effective public health policy to prevent suicide in LGBT young people, the social factors that heighten risk need to be addressed, and supportive services put in place. As a priority this would entail tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse in schools, addressing the continuing sexual and gender norms which marginalise those who are not heterosexual and cisgender, and providing support and space for LGBT youth to disclose and discuss their emotions and experiences in secure environments. Key policy areas to focus upon are schools and education, the role of the internet, increasing LGBT youth provision, developing online and face-to face LGBT youth specific mental health support, and improving mental health and gender identity NHS services…”

https://www.academia.edu/26625951/Understanding_lesbian_gay_bisexual_and_trans_LGBT_adolescents_suicide_self-harm_and_help-seeking_behaviour_Final_Report?email_work_card=title

American Medical Association: Exclusionary bathroom policies harm transgender students’ health

American Medical Association: Exclusionary bathroom policies harm transgender students’ health

It’s heartening to see the American Medical Association - the premier medical association of the US - recognize the overwhelming data in support of affirming trans youth. We want to thank them for adopting such an affirming stance, and for speaking up forcefully at a national level.

This position statement could also be useful to parents, educators, and other allies when advocating for trans youth in schools.

Published by: American Medical Association. December 31, 3019.  Author: Tanya Albert Henry.

“A federal appeals court should uphold a lower-court ruling that says a Virginia school board violated a transgender student’s rights when it passed a policy requiring them to use “alternative private” restroom facilities instead of communal restrooms.” 

“The policy is harmful to transgender students’ mental and physical health, the Litigation Center of the American Medical Association and State Medical Societies tells the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in an amicus brief filed with 16 other medical, public health and mental health organizations in Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. AMA policy supports transgender individuals’ rights to access public restrooms according to their gender identities.”

“The brief informs the court about the medical community’s consensus on what it means to be transgender, the protocols for treating gender dysphoria and how transgender adolescents’ health is harmed when they cannot use restrooms that match their gender identity. Estimates suggest that about 0.6% of the adult population is transgender. That’s about 1.4 million Americans…”

“ ‘Access to single-sex facilities that correspond to one’s gender identity is a critical aspect of social transition and, thus, successful treatment of gender dysphoria,’ the brief tells the court. ‘By contrast, excluding transgender individuals from facilities consistent with their gender identity undermines their treatment; exposes them to stigma and discriminations, harms their physical health by causing them to avoid restroom use; and impairs their social and emotional development…’ “

https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/exclusionary-bathroom-policies-harm-transgender-students-health

Beyond the Tipping Point: Modifying the Five C’s to Empower Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth

Beyond the Tipping Point: Modifying the Five C’s to Empower Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth

Published in: Youth Voice Journal. 2018. Jonah De Chants, Heather Kennedy, Yoli Anyon.

A paper outlining how to adapt Positive Youth Development interventions proven to help youth develop confidence, competence, character, connection, and caring to help trans and nonbinary youth cultivate resilience and strength.

“Transgender people have entered an unprecedented moment of visibility in American society and across the globe. However, transgender and gender expansive youth remain vulnerable to family rejection, harassment at school, and discrimination in healthcare and employment. Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an established framework for strengths-based practice with young people that is focused on helping youth develop the skills they need to become healthy, productive adults. In this manuscript, we reconceptualize the 5 C’s of PYD to address the unique needs and experiences of transgender and gender expansive youth. We also provide specific guidance for empowering service providers to help these young people thrive in the face of marginalization and oppression.”

https://www.academia.edu/36438700/Beyond_the_tipping_point_Modifying_the_five_Cs_to_empower_transgender_and_gender_expansive_youth?email_work_card=thumbnail

Similarity in transgender and cisgender children’s gender development

Similarity in transgender and cisgender children’s gender development

While the full article is behind a paywall, the abstract provides a good sense of the study… which strongly affirms that trans and nonbinary identified youth are as secure in their internal gender identity as cis youth.  This also strongly supports the notion that we should listen to and trust what these youth say about themselves.

Find more on affirmative care for trans and nonbinary youth at our site:

 www.gdaworkinggroup,com

And follow us on Facebook for regular updates:

@gdaffirmative

Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. November 18, 2019.  Authors: Selin Gülgöz, Jessica J. Glazier, Elizabeth A. Enright, Daniel J. Alonso, Lily J. Durwood, Anne A. Fast, Riley Lowe, Chonghui Ji, Jeffrey Heer, Carol Lynn Martin, and Kristina R. Olson 

“Gender is one of the central categories organizing children’s social world. Clear patterns of gender development have been well-documented among cisgender children (i.e., children who identify as a gender that is typically associated with their sex assigned at birth). We present a comprehensive study of gender development (e.g., gender identity and gender expression) in a cohort of 3- to 12-y-old transgender children (n= 317) who, in early childhood, are identifying and living as a gender different from their assigned sex. 

“Four primary findings emerged. 

“First, transgender children strongly identify as members of their current gender group and show gender-typed preferences and behaviors that are strongly associated with their current gender, not the gender typically associated with their sex assigned at birth. 

“Second, transgender children’s gender identity (i.e., the gender they feel they are) and gender-typed preferences generally did not differ from 2 comparison groups: cisgender siblings (n= 189) and cisgender controls (n= 316). 

“Third, transgender and cisgender children’s patterns of gender development showed coherence across measures. 

“Finally, we observed minimal or no differences in gender identity or preferences as a function of how long transgender children had lived as their current gender. 

“Our findings suggest that early sex assignment and parental rearing based on that sex assignment do not always define how a child identifies or expresses gender later.”

https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/11/12/1909367116

Suicide Attempts among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults: FINDINGS OF THE NATIONAL TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION SURVEY

Suicide Attempts among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults: 

Findings of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey

Given that today is the Trans Day of Remembrance, it seemed important to share this piece.  Suicide is not the same as murder, but suicide is death as the result of similar forces: institutionalized transphobia, individual bullying, shame, stigma, poverty, and so many other intersecting issues.  The findings below, and the greater publication, make very clear the need for more supportive and affirming environments to help trans and nonbinary youth and adults live happier, safer lives.

Find more information on the need for affirming environments and affirmative care for TGNB youth at:

www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And follow us on Facebook for regular updates:

@gdaffirmative

Published 2014.  Authors: Ann P. Haas, Jody L. Herman.

“The prevalence of suicide attempts among respondents to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS), conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Center for Transgender Equality, is 41 percent, which vastly exceeds the 4.6 percent of the overall U.S. population who report a lifetime suicide attempt, and is also higher than the 10-20 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults who report ever attempting suicide. Much remains to be learned about underlying factors and which groups within the diverse population of transgender and gender non-conforming people are most at risk.

 “In the present study, we sought to increase understanding of suicidal behavior among transgender and gender non-conforming people through an in-depth analysis of NTDS data. The specific aims of our analysis were to identify the key characteristics and experiences associated with lifetime suicide attempts in the NTDS sample as a whole, and to examine how lifetime suicide attempts vary among different groups of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Key findings of this report include the following:

“• Suicide attempts among trans men (46%) and trans women (42%) were slightly higher than the full sample (41%). Cross-dressers assigned male at birth have the lowest reported prevalence of suicide attempts among gender identity groups (21%).

“• Analysis of other demographic variables found prevalence of suicide attempts was highest among those who are younger (18 to 24: 45%), multiracial (54%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (56%), have lower levels of educational attainment (high school or less: 48-49%), and have lower annual household income (less than $10,000: 54%).

“• Prevalence of suicide attempts is elevated among those who disclose to everyone that they are transgender or gender-non-conforming (50%) and among those that report others can tell always (42%) or most of the time (45%) that they are transgender or gender non-conforming even if they don’t tell them.

“• Respondents who are HIV-positive (51%) and respondents with disabilities (55-65%) also have elevated prevalence of suicide attempts. In particular, 65 percent of those with a mental health condition that substantially affects a major life activity reported attempting suicide.

“Respondents who experienced rejection by family and friends, discrimination, victimization, or violence had elevated prevalence of suicide attempts, such as those who experienced the following:

“— Family chose not to speak/spend time with them: 57%

“— Discrimination, victimization, or violence at school, at work, and when accessing health care

“• Harassed or bullied at school (any level): 50-54%

“• Experienced discrimination or harassment at work: 50-59%

“• Doctor or health care provider refused to treat them: 60%

“• Suffered physical or sexual violence:

“— At work: 64-65%

“— At school (any level): 63-78%

“— Discrimination, victimization, or violence by law enforcement

“• Disrespected or harassed by law enforcementofficers: 57-61% 

“• Suffered physical or sexual violence: By law enforcement officers: 60-70

“— Experienced homelessness: 69%

“Overall, the most striking finding of our analysis was the exceptionally high prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts reported by NTDS respondents across all demographics and experiences. Based on prior research and the findings of this report, we find that mental health factors and experiences of harassment, discrimination, violence and rejection may interact to produce a marked vulnerability to suicidal behavior in transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. More research on suicidal behavior among transgender and gender non-conforming people is needed.”

https://www.academia.edu/35167921/Suicide_Attempts_among_Transgender_and_Gender_Non-Conforming_Adults_FINDINGS_OF_THE_NATIONAL_TRANSGENDER_DISCRIMINATION_SURVEY?email_work_card=thumbnail

Queer Decisions in Early Childhood Teacher Education: Teachers as Advocates for Gender Non-conforming and Sexual Minority Young Children and Families

Queer Decisions in Early Childhood Teacher Education: Teachers as Advocates for Gender Non-conforming and Sexual Minority Young Children and Families 

A good article outlining the pressures faced by gender and sexual diverse children and families, the need for affirming environments, and the role of schools as settings for validation and advocacy.

Find more on affirmative care for trans and nonbinary youth at our website:

www.gdaworkinggroup.com 

And follow us on Facebook for more updates:

 @gdaffirmative

Published in: International Critical Childhood Policy Studies.  2017.  Authors: Janice Kroeger, Lis Regula 

“In this paper, we highlight the social challenges faced by sexual minority populations, and we include a short internationally-framed literature review to illuminate the complexity of experience for children and families who might be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, gender non-conforming or gender expansive (LGBT+). Using both personal and professional stories from  practice, the anecdotes illustrate key moments in teaching that help to frame the complexity of advocacy for LGBT+ young children and families. The larger social challenges faced by this group help the field make informed decisions about educating both LGBT+ young children and those who teach them. Our  purpose is to continue to inspire other teachers and teacher educators to be courageous in noticing and supporting the gender development of children as a starting place. We suggest ways (as others have) to become comfortable when adding sexuality and gender difference advocacy in their work with and for young children (Blaise, 2005; Cahill & Theilheimer, 1999a; Derman-Spa rks & Edwards, 2010; Kissen, 2002; Newman, 2016; Silin, 1995; Thorne, 1993)…”

“We work toward full inclusion of LGBT+ children and families in our practice(s) consistent with a history of literature in early childhood. Scholars have argued to increase the seriousness of topics when we teach young children and to include, rather than ignore, gender and sexuality or family differences (Cahill & Theilheimer, 1999a & b; Casper & Schultz, 1999; Kissen, 2002; Silin, 1995; Robinson, 2003). Researchers have found that early childhood educators are likely to deny their responsibilities to young children or deny their impact upon children’s sexuality or gender development by acts of omission (Robinson, 2003). Additionally, heteronormative silencing via surveillance, or perceived irrelevance and exclusion of lesbian and gay equity is a concern in early childhood classrooms (Robinson, 2003; Surtees, 2005).”

“Drawing on a host of complex points, it is our hope that the article inspires readers to raise levels of individual responsibility leading to social change, further  policy development, and anti-bias early childhood practice. If society is to make  progress with this group, educators must move toward larger-scale inclusion of children and families who are LGBT+, and have reasoned arguments for doing so (Ehrensaft, 2011; Newman, 2016; Nutt, 2015; Mosso-Taylor, 2016; Surtees, 2005). We know early childhood teachers can resist heteronormativity, with specific skill sets (Gunn & Surtees, 2011), but having a strong rational for doing so matters…”

https://www.academia.edu/38157992/Queer_Decisions_in_Early_Childhood_Teacher_Education_Teachers_as_Advocates_for_Gender_Non-conforming_and_Sexual_Minority_Young_Children_and_Families?email_work_card=thumbnail

AACAP Statement Responding to Efforts to ban Evidence-Based Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

A recent statement by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

"AACAP Statement Responding to Efforts to ban Evidence-Based Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth"

"November 8, 2019

"Variations in gender expression represent normal and expectable dimensions of human development. They are not considered to be pathological. Health promotion for all youth encourages open exploration of all identity issues, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression according to recognized practice guidelines (1, 2). Research consistently demonstrates that gender diverse youth who are supported to live and/or explore the gender role that is consistent with their gender identity have better mental health outcomes than those who are not (3, 4, 5)."

"State-based legislation regarding the treatment of transgender youth that directly oppose the evidence-based care recognized by professional societies across multiple disciplines is a serious concern. Many reputable professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society, which represent tens of thousands of professionals across the United States, recognize natural variations in gender identity and expression and have published clinical guidance that promotes nondiscriminatory, supportive interventions for gender diverse youth based on the current evidence base. These interventions may include, and are not limited to, social gender transition, hormone blocking agents, hormone treatment, and affirmative psychotherapeutic modalities."

"The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) supports the use of current evidence-based clinical care with minors. AACAP strongly opposes any efforts – legal, legislative, and otherwise – to block access to these recognized interventions. Blocking access to timely care has been shown to increase youths’ risk for suicidal ideation and other negative mental health outcomes. Consistent with AACAP’s policy against conversion therapy (2), AACAP recommends that youth and their families formulate an individualized treatment plan with their clinician that addresses the youth’s unique mental health needs under the premise that all gender identities and expressions are not inherently pathological."

(See link for citations.)

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Latest_News/AACAP_Statement_Responding_to_Efforts-to_ban_Evidence-Based_Care_for_Transgender_and_Gender_Diverse.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3vy8pKuGFbqaQxUDc-cpVKBQV4uVY2uBULkG4mEigWS62_l4md-2ET2S8

America’s Growing Support for Transgender Rights

In light of recent and ongoing challenges to the rights and identities of trans and gender nonbinary people, especially youth who are most vulnerable, it seems relevant to share verified data on the current levels of acceptance of transgender and gender nonbinary people. Below are some excerpts from a recent study documenting that support for transgender and gender nonbinary has increased, and that a much larger percentage of Americans are in favor of acceptance. Find more of the results from this study at the link below.  This data all supports the need for more affirming environments for these communities.  

 Find more studies at our website:

www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And follow us on Facebook for more updates:

@gdaffirmative

 Published by: PRRI.  June 11, 2019.  Authors: Daniel Greenberg, Maxine Najile, PhD, Natalie Jackson PhD, Ovindamola Bola, Robert P. Jones, PhD.

“More than six in ten (62%) Americans say they have become more supportive toward transgender rights compared to their views five years ago. By contrast, about one-quarter (25%) say their views are more opposed compared to five years ago.

“About three-quarters (76%) of Democrats report they have become more supportive of transgender rights in the last five years, compared to 64% of independents and only 47% of Republicans. Notably, increased support crosses ideological divides within the parties. Conservative Republicans (40%) stand out as the only ideological group with less than half reporting increased support for transgender rights…

“Military Service

“Despite the Trump administration’s ban on transgender personnel in the U.S. military, more than six in ten (63%) Americans favor allowing transgender people to serve in uniform – a level of support that is unchanged from 2017 (64%)…

“Bathroom Accommodations

“Over the past few years, several so-called “bathroom bills” – legislation that would require transgender people to use bathrooms consistent with their sex assigned at birth – have appeared in state legislatures. Americans are divided over the policy (45% favor, 47% oppose).

“Overall support for this policy and the intensity of support has been fluid over the last few years. While the combined percentage of those who strongly favor or favor this policy has increased seven percentage points since 2017 (38%), the combined percentage of those who oppose or strongly oppose this policy has dropped by only three percentage points (a change that is not significant). This asymmetrical shift is mostly due to the significant proportion of Americans who say they are unsure what to think about the issue (12% in 2017 and 8% in 2019)…

“Having a Transgender Friend

“Almost three-quarters (73%) of Democrats report being somewhat or very comfortable with a close friend telling them they are transgender, compared to just over half (52%) of Republicans. The views of independents (64%) closely align with the public overall…

“Transgender Teacher

“A majority (56%) of Americans say they would be somewhat or very comfortable with a transgender teacher in a local elementary school. Almost seven in ten (68%) Democrats report being comfortable learning that a local elementary school teacher is transgender, compared to 56% of independents and just four in ten (41%) Republicans…

“Religiously unaffiliated Americans (67%) are the most likely among religious groups to report feeling comfortable learning that a local elementary school teacher is transgender, and almost as many Catholics (61%) agree. Slimmer majorities of white mainline Protestants (52%) and nonwhite Protestants (51%) would feel comfortable with a transgender teacher, but among white evangelical Protestants that figure drops to 42%...

“Having a Transgender Child

“Americans are evenly divided on how comfortable they would be with having their own child tell them they are transgender: 48% say they would be somewhat or very comfortable with this, while the same percentage says they would feel uncomfortable. Six in ten (60%) Democrats report they would be comfortable if their child told them they are transgender, compared to half of (50%) independents, and just one in three (33%) Republicans…

“A slim majority (52%) of women say they would feel somewhat or very comfortable if their child came out as transgender, compared to 44% of men…

“Transgender Stigma

“More than three-quarters (79%) of Americans believe that transgender people face at least some stigma in their community, including just under four in ten (38%) Americans who believe transgender people face a lot of it. Seventeen percent of Americans think that transgender individuals face no stigma within their community. Nearly three in four (74%) Americans think lesbian and gay people face at least some stigma in their community, and 70% think the same for bisexual people…

“Beliefs About Gender Identity

“Just over half (55%) of Americans believe there are only two genders, including 43% who say they feel strongly about this. Four in ten (40%) Americans believe that there is a range of possible gender identities, including nearly one-quarter (24%) who say they feel strongly about this.

“Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Republicans believe that gender is strictly binary, including 62% who strongly agree, compared to 50% of independents and 45% of Democrats. A majority (52%) of Democrats believe there is a range of possible gender identities, including 30% who say they feel strongly about this…

“Having a Transgender Child

“Americans are evenly divided on how comfortable they would be with having their own child tell them they are transgender: 48% say they would be somewhat or very comfortable with this, while the same percentage says they would feel uncomfortable. Six in ten (60%) Democrats report they would be comfortable if their child told them they are transgender, compared to half of (50%) independents, and just one in three (33%) Republicans…

“Personal Relationships

“Americans are significantly less likely to have close connections with transgender people than with gay, lesbian, or bisexual people. Less than one-quarter (24%) of Americans report having a close friend or family member who is transgender, compared to 46% who report having a bisexual close friend or family member, and nearly seven in ten (68%) who report having a gay or lesbian close friend or family member. Notably, the proportion of Americans who say they have a close friend or family member who is transgender has more than doubled since 2011 (11%)…

https://www.prri.org/research/americas-growing-support-for-transgender-rights/?fbclid=IwAR2PQz6kfGkAKGW1wGBKsIMIj1I30_vRJ33I7xgacwyvAgaS8upryA9zkiU