As a wave of laws targeting transgender and nonbinary young people sweeps across the nation, a new study shows a corresponding spike in their already-high suicide rates.

In an era when LGBTQ young people are already experiencing dangerously high levels of suicide risk, these laws are the equivalent of pouring gasoline on a fire. Lawmakers need to understand the human cost of this legislation and do their part to protect America’s most vulnerable youth.

When laws targeting trans and nonbinary teens pass, suicide increases follow

The study looked at the period from 2018 to 2022, during which a total of 48 anti-transgender laws were enacted across 19 U.S. states. Such laws included bans on trans-specific healthcare procedures, access to bathrooms, participation in sports, and laws against updating identification to reflect a person’s true gender.

According to the study, there was no increase in suicide attempts while these bills were merely being considered in state legislatures. However, after these bills became law, there was a statistically significant increase in suicide rates among transgender or nonbinary people aged 13-24 in those states, especially among those aged 13 to 17.

The study authors believed that, rather than directly prompting suicide attempts, the new laws added to the level of stress that trans and nonbinary young people were already experiencing. “So laws restricting access to gender-affirming bathrooms, ending participation in sports activities that align with one’s gender, may lead to experiences of rejection, social isolation, bullying,” study co-author Dr. Ronita Nath told CNN.

New legislation may drive bullying and harassment towards LGBTQ youth

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and as we’ve written before, bullying is a key driver of suicide risk among young people. Unfortunately, bullying in schools and online often tracks with broader societal trends. Just as Black youth experienced elevated levels of bullying in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor four years ago, LGBTQ youth may be experiencing more bullying and isolation as anti-LGBTQ laws are passed, with corresponding political and cultural rhetoric, in their home states.

In addition, certain laws may directly expose LGBTQ youth to bullying and harassment. For example, laws that prohibit updating identification may lead directly to being hassled at places where ID must be shown, such as airports. And laws restricting participation in sports have led to bullying and abuse related to sporting events—not just directed at trans and nonbinary youth, but any athlete who is perceived as transgender, as the controversy around Olympic boxer Imane Khelif showed. 

Our law firm stands up for families of youth who die by suicide

Nothing is more tragic or painful for a family than losing a child to suicide. Our law firm is honored to stand up for families in these dark moments and fight for accountability and justice. If you have lost a loved one to suicide completion, we will listen to your story and explain your rights and options. Contact the Law Offices of Skip Simpson for a free, confidential consultation. We’re based in Texas but serve families nationwide.