Statement from Sam Brinton (they/them pronouns), Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project:
“Today’s decision in favor of Gavin Grimm is a tremendous victory for transgender equality. When transgender and nonbinary students are denied access to school facilities or documents consistent with their gender identity, they are are not only denied basic dignity and respect, but also fundamental human rights. This decision reaffirms that anti-transgender discrimination is, in fact, illegal under the law. The Trevor Project applauds Gavin Grimm and his attorneys for their immense courage and resiliency over the course of this five-year-long battle for justice. Grimm’s leadership has inspired trans youth across our country and this victory will work to save young lives.”
The Trevor Project was proud to have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. District Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. The Trevor Project hears regularly via our crisis services about how detrimental and damaging policies restricting access to bathrooms in schools are to the transgender youth we serve.
According to The Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health:
- 61% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being prevented or discouraged from using a bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
- More than half (52%) of transgender and nonbinary youth reported seriously considering suicide in the past year.
- Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected
- Transgender and nonbinary youth with access to tools such as binders, shapewear, and gender-affirming clothing reported lower rates of attempting suicide in the past year compared to transgender and nonbinary youth without access.
