71% of LGBTQ youth in Pennsylvania reported experiencing discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity
April 24, 2023 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people, announced its support for HB 300, a bill being considered by the Pennsylvania Legislature that would expand nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed in the House Judiciary Committee today and is now headed to the House floor.
“LGBTQ people, like all people, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and live free from discrimination. This legislation sends a powerful message to LGBTQ young Pennsylvanians that they never have to fear being turned away from a business, being turned down for housing, or entering a public space just because of who they are or whom they love,” said Troy Stevenson (he/him), Director of State Advocacy Campaigns for The Trevor Project. “After years of hard work from advocates and community leaders pushing for this legislation, we are grateful to Pennsylvania lawmakers for taking action to protect the LGBTQ community in the state from the harms of discrimination. Now is the time to build on this progress together and also enshrine protections against the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called conversion ‘therapy.’”
According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 U.S. National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health by State, 71% of LGBTQ youth in Pennsylvania reported experiencing discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Trevor’s 2022 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.