Youth's Lives Every Day
94% of transgender and nonbinary youth said anti-LGBTQ+ policies, laws, and debates – such as those at the center of these cases – caused them stress or anxiety
June 30, 2026 – Today, The Supreme Court of the United States issued their decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, two cases that centered on challenges brought by transgender students against state laws that prohibit transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams that match their gender identity. In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled to uphold state laws that prohibit transgender girls from participating in school sports.
The Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black, released the following statement in response:
“The continued attacks on transgender young people in this country must stop. Today’s news has nothing to do with safety or fairness in sports; these rulings only serve to send a message to transgender and nonbinary young people that says, ‘you don’t belong.’ But these young people do belong. And they deserve the same opportunities as their peers, including participating in school sports.
“Thoughtful discussion about rules and regulations is one thing, but banning an entire demographic of young people from all participation whatsoever is unacceptable. These blanket bans lack balance, impacting all transgender youth regardless of age, sport, or level of competition. It is beyond frustrating to see so much time, effort, and energy poured into policies that do not make environments safer for young people, but rather, have been proven to cause serious harm. In states where anti-transgender laws – like those at the center of these cases – were enacted, transgender and nonbinary youth reported up to a 72% increase in past-year suicide attempts, compared to those living in states without such laws.
“This news may be difficult for many LGBTQ+ young people to process. For anyone who needs support, The Trevor Project’s counselors are here 24/7/365. But I want all transgender and nonbinary youth to know that no court ruling or state law will change the reality that there are so many people, all across the country, who have your back. We will never stop fighting for the world you deserve – a world in which you feel safe, seen, and supported exactly as you are.”
Relevant research:
- The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found that 40% of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. The survey also found:
- 94% of transgender and nonbinary youth said recent LGBTQ+-related policies, laws, and debates caused them stress or anxiety
- 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth said recent LGBTQ+-related policies, laws, and debates made them feel unsafe
- 38% of transgender and nonbinary youth said they made them or their family consider moving to a different state
- Transgender and nonbinary youth living in states where anti-transgender state laws were enacted reported up to a 72% increase in past-year suicide attempts, compared to those living in states without such laws.
- Less than one in three LGBTQ young people reported participating in sports, with many citing anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, or fear of discrimination, as barriers.
- LGBTQ youth who participated in sports reported nearly 20% lower rates of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not.
- A 2022 peer-reviewed study found that many transgender high school girls who reported an interest in playing sports cited concerns around harassment, stigma, and gendered spaces.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org, or by texting START to 678678.
