You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Skip to main
Press

The Trevor Project Condemns Iowa Senate Committee for Passing Anti-Trans Sports Ban

BY: Trevor News
Blue Green Gradient
Donate

85% of transgender and nonbinary youth say that recent debates around anti-trans bills have negatively impacted their mental health

February 17, 2022 — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, condemned the Iowa Senate Education Committee for passing SSB 3146, which would restrict transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams that match their gender identity.

“There are many issues that need the attention of Iowa lawmakers right now—this isn’t one of them. Transgender youth already face increased risk for bullying, depression, and suicide, and 85% of say recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health,” said Sam Ames (they/them pronouns), Director for Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. “We urge Iowa lawmakers to stop this bill and its House companion in their tracks, and to instead focus on supporting young trans people, not excluding them.”

According to a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of The Trevor Project, 85% of transgender and nonbinary youth — and two-thirds of all LGBTQ youth (66%) — say recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health. When asked about new policies that would ban transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams and transgender boys from playing on boys’ sports teams, 74% of transgender and nonbinary youth said it made them feel angry, 57% felt sad, 43% felt stressed, and nearly 1 in 3 felt scared.

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that more than half (52%) of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and 1 in 5 attempted suicide. Further, a 2020 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that transgender and nonbinary youth who report experiencing discrimination based on their gender identity had more than double the odds of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who did not experience discrimination based on their gender identity.

However, research also shows that transgender and nonbinary youth who have access to gender-affirming spaces report lower rates of attempting suicide. A 2021 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in Transgender Health, also found that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported gender identity acceptance from adults and peers had significantly lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year.

The Trevor Project’s research has also found that a majority of LGBTQ young people (68%) have never participated in sports for a school or community league or club — with many citing fear of bullying and discrimination as a key factor for not participating.

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/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678. 

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide.

Read more from
Press

Illustration of a hand holding up a heart
Press

The Trevor Project Launches Public Awareness Campaign to Address LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Crisis in Rural Communities 

New documentary short film tells the story of a mother-daughter pair in Iowa, highlighting the power of supportive parents March 20, 2025 – Today, The Trevor Project launched a public awareness campaign to address the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people in rural communities with support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The campaign launch features a new 10-minute documentary short film that tells the story of a mother and daughter living in Iowa: Angie, a Methodist pastor, and Jubilee, her 19-year-old daughter who identifies as bisexual. “No one should feel isolated simply…
Press

A Statement from The Trevor Project Ahead of Inauguration Day

Thursday, January 16, 2025 – Ahead of the 2025 United States Presidential Inauguration, Jaymes Black (they/she/he), CEO of The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, released the following statement: “I want to speak directly to the LGBTQ+ young people across the United States who may be feeling afraid about what your future in this country might look like:  “You are not alone. You are loved. And you have millions of people fighting for you to lead the healthy, safe, and long life that you deserve. Even in your darkest moments, even as…