74% of LGBTQ youth in Michigan reported experiencing discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity
February 21, 2023 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people, announced its support for SB4/HB4003, a bill being considered by the Michigan state legislature that would expand nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed in the Senate Committee of the Whole today and is now headed to a full vote on the Senate floor.
“LGBTQ people, like all people, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and live free from discrimination. This legislation will bring us one step closer to creating a state and a world where LGBTQ young people never have to fear being turned away from a business or told they cannot participate in an activity or enter a public space just because of who they are or who they love,” said Kasey Suffredini (he/him), Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project. “It is a travesty that the U.S. Congress has yet to pass the Equality Act and protect the LGBTQ community from the harms of discrimination nationwide, and we’re grateful to Michigan lawmakers for taking action to protect LGBTQ Michiganders at the state level.”
According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 U.S. National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health by State, 74% of LGBTQ youth in Michigan reported experiencing discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Trevor’s latest national U.S. survey found that LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination attempted suicide at more than twice the rate of those who did not in the past year. However, LGBTQ youth who lived in an accepting community, had access to LGBTQ-affirming spaces, and/or felt high social support from family and friends reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide in the past year.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting 678678.
