LGBTQ+ Young People of Color: Breaking down the data.

What does the 2025 U.S. National Survey say about LGBTQ+ young people of color?

The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People analyzed the experiences of more than 16,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 across the United States.¹ Our findings show that, compared to White LGBTQ+ young people, those of all other race/ethnicities were more likely to attempt suicide in the past year. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) Black/African American and Middle Eastern/Northern African LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year.

What does suicide risk for LGBTQ+ young people of color look like?

LGBTQ+ young people face higher risk of poor mental health and suicidal ideation and behavior than their cisgender and heterosexual peers.^2,3 However, some LGBTQ+ young people face multiple forms of oppression because they hold multiple stigmatized identities at the same time.⁴ When these forms of oppression intersect, we see that those at these intersections experience worse outcomes.⁵ For LGBTQ+ young people of color, when racism intersects with anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, sentiments, and policies, it comes with greater likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression, and increased suicide risk.⁶ 

Why do LGBTQ+ young people of color experience heightened vulnerability to suicide risk?

Discrimination and victimization are common experiences for LGBTQ+ young people of color, not only because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, but also because of their race and ethnicity.⁷ Recognizing this fact, The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People examined young people’s experiences related to discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin. We found that nearly a third (32%) of LGBTQ+ youth of color experienced this discrimination in the past year.

Discrimination comes with real consequences for mental health. LGBTQ+ young people of color who experienced discrimination because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin were twice as likely to attempt suicide in the past year than those we did not experience this discrimination (20% vs. 10%).¹ LGBTQ+ young people who experienced anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination were found to be at higher risk of attempting suicide.⁸ Intersecting oppressions create a perfect storm for LGBTQ+ young people of color to experience poor mental health and increased suicide risk, as they navigate both anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and racial discrimination at the same time.⁹ For example, our findings show that in the past year Black and Middle Eastern/North African LGBTQ+ young people experienced the highest rates of racial discrimination and the highest rates of suicide attempts. 

What else do we know about LGBTQ+ youth of color and the intersections of their identities?

Existing at the intersection of identities that have been historically marginalized doesn’t just carry intersectional risk; it also carries the power of intersectional support. LGBTQ+ young people of color belong to communities from which they can draw support because of their intersectional identities.¹⁰  Both LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color have not only long existed, but more importantly, thrived in the face of violence, oppression and stigmatization. LGBTQ+ young people of color are uniquely positioned to continue thriving in the face of systemic harms. 

Throughout history, this group of young people has shown high levels of resiliency. For example, the communities Black LGBTQ+ people created through House and Ballroom culture have supported young people navigating a variety of adversities such as the HIV epidemic.¹¹ And though this resiliency shouldn’t be necessary in the first place, LGBTQ+ young people of color can – and do – thrive.

How can you support LGBTQ+ young people of color?

There are many different ways you can show up for LGBTQ+ young people of color in your everyday life. Acceptance, affirmation, and support across policy, community, and  interpersonal levels combine to create opportunities for suicide prevention. 

• Advocate for inclusive policies, both within and outside of LGBTQ+ specific spaces. All LGBTQ+ young people should feel safe in spaces that are meant for them, regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity. For example, we found that LGBTQ+ young people who attended a school with anti-bullying policies were less likely to attempt suicide.¹²
• Be an active ally. Higher levels of social support from friends and family was associated with lower suicide risk for trans and nonbinary young people of color.¹³ Stand up for LGBTQ+ young people of color when you see bullying, unsupportiveness, or hostility, and check in with them about their mental health. 
• Affirm and support LGBTQ+ young people of color in your life. Use their correct pronouns and encourage others to do the same. Our research found that trans and nonbinary young people whose pronouns were respected had 31% lower odds of attempting suicide than those whose pronouns were not respected.¹⁴ 

LGBTQ+ young people of color deserve more than survival; they deserve the opportunity to thrive, just like any other young person. With your help, we can make that a reality. Here are additional resources and research to help support LGBTQ+ young people of color today:

• American Indian/Alaskan Native Youth Suicide Risk
• Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
• Black and LGBTQ+: Approaching Intersectional Conversations
• Friends, Family, and Community: Social Support and the Health of Transgender and Nonbinary Young People of Color
• Latinx LGBTQ Youth Suicide Risk
• Middle Eastern and Northern African LGBTQ+ Young People
• Supporting Black LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health