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

Skip to main
Press

The Trevor Project Opposes Extreme Bill Seeking to Censor Curriculums & Supportive Teachers in Missouri

BY: Trevor News
Donate

LGBTQ youth who have access to LGBTQ-affirming schools and supportive teachers report lower rates of attempting suicide.

February 6, 2023 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people, voiced its opposition to SB134, a bill introduced in the Missouri General Assembly that would prohibit teachers, school counselors, and faculty from discussing LGBTQ identity or any related issues with a student unless that person is a licensed mental health provider and has received prior permission from the student’s parent or guardian. The bill will be considered by the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee on Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. CT.

“Our schools should be safe, inclusive learning environments for all students. This extreme bill would prevent LGBTQ students from reaching out to school professionals for help or support, and ban any discussion of their history, culture, and experiences in the classroom,” said Kasey Suffredini (he/him pronouns), Vice President of Advocacy & Government Affairs.Nearly half of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and fewer than 4 in 10 identified their home as an affirming space. With this tragic reality, it is vital that LGBTQ students can confide in teachers and guidance counselors at school, and feel represented and respected in the place where they spend most of their waking hours.”

The Trevor Project is working closely with PROMO Missouri and encouraging Missourians to follow PROMO Missouri’s work here.

Research & Polling:

  • The Trevor Project’s research has consistently found that LGBTQ students who have access to LGBTQ-affirming schools — and trans and nonbinary students who have support from their teachers and peers — report lower rates of attempting suicide. 
  • Additionally, learning about LGBTQ people or issues has been associated with significantly lower odds (23%) of a past-year suicide attempt in LGBTQ students. 
  • According to a new poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of The Trevor Project, 71% of LGBTQ youth — including 86% of trans and nonbinary youth — say state laws restricting the rights of LGBTQ young people have negatively impacted their mental health. 58% of LGBTQ youth, including 71% of transgender and nonbinary youth, feel angry about new policies that ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ topics in the classroom. Among trans youth, 59% feel sad and 41% feel stressed. 

Read more from
Press

Violet Purple Gradient
Press

The Trevor Project Condemns Alabama Governor for Signing Anti-Trans Sports Ban

Research shows that transgender and nonbinary youth who experienced 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. WASHINGTON, DC — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, denounced Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s signing of HB391, a bill that will now ban transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.  “It is astonishing that politicians have fabricated this problem at…
Press

The Trevor Project Reports 200% Increase in Election Conversations Across Its Crisis Services

The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, shared that its classic crisis services (lifeline, chat, text) experienced a significant increase of election-related crisis conversations from November 3-4, 2024 compared to just a few days prior – October 29-November 2, 2024. The organization reported a nearly 200% increase in conversation topics related to the election based on key related words, such as "election" and "rights." The organization’s research shows that a staggering 90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics. Additionally, anti-transgender state laws significantly increased incidents of past-year suicide attempts…