Tell Idaho Gov. Little to protect trans youth and veto HB 500
Last night, Idaho became the first state in 2020 to pass an anti-transgender bill through both chambers of its state legislature. The bill, HB 500, would be the first in the nation to restrict transgender women and girls from playing on college and high school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. The Trevor Project condemns this cruel, unnecessary, and discriminatory bill and urges Idaho Governor Brad Little to veto it. Join our effort to stop this dangerous bill.
Statement from Sam Brinton (they/them pronouns), Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project:
“In the midst of a global pandemic, Idaho legislators are focused on singling out and excluding transgender student-athletes — it is shameful. The Trevor Project condemns HB 500, an unfair and unnecessary bill, and urges Governor Little to reject it. Our elected officials should be expanding opportunities for trans students, not further marginalizing a group already at high risk for bullying and discrimination. At The Trevor Project, we hear from LGBTQ youth in crisis every day and we know that affirming trans youth in their identities is critical to their health and wellbeing. Denying trans youth the ability to participate in school sports, which have shown to have a positive effect on mental health, will increase the kind of social isolation and stigma that contributes to the risk of suicidality.”
According to our 2019 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health:
- 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity
- More than half of transgender and non-binary youth have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year (54%)
- 76% of LGBTQ youth felt that the recent political climate impacted their mental health or sense of self.
- Less than half of LGBTQ respondents were out to an adult at school. Youth are much less likely to disclose their gender identity than sexual orientation.
The Trevor Project recently published a research brief on the evident benefits of gender-affirming care for youth, including insight into the positive mental health outcomes and decreased risk of suicidality that comes with “social transitioning” for trans youth.
