Pride
Pride is a celebration of community, resilience, and LGBTQ history and culture. It is a time for action, joy, liberation, and change. At Trevor, we’re celebrating the power of us — the strength we have as a community and the difference we can make together for LGBTQ young people. This year’s Pride celebration is underway at the same time that a record number of anti-LGBTQ policies are being introduced and implemented across the country. Vitriolic and hateful rhetoric against LGBTQ people (and trans people, specifically) is amplified every day, and young people are watching.
Pride can be a party, a protest, or a private moment of reflection. It’s an invitation to feel proud of yourself and who you are; of your community and the people you love; of your history and culture. LGBTQ young people, who should be free to celebrate and enjoy Pride, are witnessing phobia on a massive scale and feeling the impact. 85% of LGBTQ young people pay attention to media reports about LGBTQ rights “somewhat” or “a lot.” Nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation.
We’re here to remind you that we still have so much to feel good about and so much to be proud of. The Trevor Project has spearheaded advocacy efforts in all 50 states, working together with local community organizations and doing work to protect LGBTQ young people at a local, state, and federal level. Because of the work of our advocacy team and the work of partner organizations who dedicate themselves to human rights, LGBTQ young people stand a chance at having affirming spaces and people in their lives.
Here’s a few things to feel proud about this Pride season:
- Nearly 90% of all anti-LGBTQ bills tracked were stopped, but every bill considered that debates the existence and rights of LGBTQ people is harmful, especially for young LGBTQ people.
- A record-breaking number of 14 pro-LGBTQ bills also passed in 2023, many specific to protecting transgender medical care and other LGBTQ youth protections.
- Michigan Democrats ban ‘destructive’ practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth
- On Wednesday, June 14, a bill banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy passed the Michigan House of Representatives and is set to become law after moving through the Senate and governor’s office.
- US judge blocks Florida ban on trans minor care in narrow ruling, says “gender identity is real”
- A federal judge temporarily blocked sections of a Florida law that bans trans young people from receiving puberty blockers
- Gov. Whitmer establishes Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ Commission with executive order
- The commission will represent the LGBTQ community within Michigan’s state government, providing policy recommendations to the administration and the legislature
- Both Colorado and Washington passed bills strengthening their anti-harassment school policies
- Washington State now explicitly requires schools to develop policies and complaint procedures for transgender young people.
- Out of the 650 anti-LGBTQ bills that were considered this year, The Trevor Project assisted in blocking over 300 of them!
When LGBTQ young people see they are championed, loved, and important to someone, it makes a huge difference. Affirming communities can be life-saving and have been shown to reduce suicide risk for LGBTQ young people. Pride is just a month, but we’re doing this work all year-round to ensure LGBTQ young people see a better future.
The Trevor Project tracks legislation across the country that impacts LGBTQ young people — visit our Advocacy webpage or bill tracker to learn more about what’s happening in your state.
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678-678.
