Lincoln Becomes First City in NE to Protect LGBTQ Youth from Conversion Therapy

February 22, 2021

Today,  the City Council of Lincoln, Nebraska passed an ordinance that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from subjecting LGBTQ youth to the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. With this 5 to 1 vote, the capital city of Lincoln becomes the first in the state to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy.

“The Trevor Project is delighted to see the great capital city of Lincoln become the first city in Nebraska to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangers of conversion therapy. We know from our research that this so-called ‘therapy’ has only ever worked to produce negative mental health outcomes and increase suicide risk,” said Troy Stevenson (he/him pronouns), Advocacy Campaign Manager for The Trevor Project. “This is a tremendous victory for the LGBTQ youth of Lincoln, and we hope it will encourage the passage of similar protections throughout the rest of the Cornhusker State.” 

“There are folks who are still struggling with their identity watching this victory in Lincoln. Struggling not because of what their heart tells them, but because of the fear imposed on them by society. Let this progress be a message to our brothers, sisters, and siblings still in the closet  – We will fight for you while you are in the closet and we will be here to love you when you decide it’s time to come out,” said Council Member James Michael Bowers (he/him pronouns).

“We’re so proud to partner with Trevor Project to educate our community. Together with local mental health advocates and survivors, we highlighted the stories of the dangers of so-called conversion therapy,” says Abbi Swatsworth (she/her pronouns), Executive Director of OutNebraska. “OutNebraska aims to celebrate and empower LGBTQ+ people. Today’s vote sends a powerful message to LGBTQ+ youth in Lincoln. We look forward to continuing to protect youth in other communities and across the state.” 

The Trevor Project’s Protecting with Pride campaign elevates the ongoing municipal-level fight against conversion therapy through legislation and public education in cities and counties across the United States. Over the past few years, The Trevor Project has been proud to work with OutNebraska, Nebraska’s statewide LGBTQ organization, and grassroots advocates from across the state in pushing to protect LGBTQ youth. 

Research:

  • According to The Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 10% of LGBTQ youth reported undergoing conversion therapy, with 78% reporting it occurred when they were under age 18. Youth who reported undergoing conversion therapy reported more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who did not.
  • According to a new, peer-reviewed journal article by The Trevor Project published in the American Journal of Public Health, LGBTQ youth who underwent conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts in the past year.

Conversion therapy is widely opposed by prominent professional medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. For journalists looking to learn more about how to cover the issue of conversion therapy, here is a guide on best practices. 

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. Counseling is also available 24/7 via chat every day at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.

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. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.

The Trevor Project Supports Asian American Communities

February 17, 2021

The Trevor Project condemns anti-Asian sentiment and racist acts of violence targeting Asian American communities across the country. Discrimination against Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities is not new, and acknowledging the country’s long history of mistreatment of marginalized communities is an important step in working towards anti-racism.

As the largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization supporting LGBTQ young people, our crisis services are all too familiar with the unique mental health impacts of discrimination against AAPI young people. We know that these experiences can add to the rejection, violence, and prejudice that AAPI LGBTQ young people already face every day, and can increase their risk for negative mental health outcomes such as suicidal ideation.

Our research shows that AAPI LGBTQ youth report rates of depressed mood and suicidality that are higher than rates found among straight/cisgender AAPI youth, and AAPI transgender and nonbinary youth are at three times the increased risk for attempting suicide compared to cisgender AAPI LGBQ youth.

We also estimate that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ young people seriously consider suicide each year, just in the U.S. alone. Last year, we directly served over 150,000 crisis contacts — 6% of which identified as an AAPI young person. We know as we expand our organization to reach even more of those 1.8+ million LGBTQ youth, we will soon serve a significantly higher number of AAPI LGBTQ young people.

But we can use our voices to take a stand now and work together to dedicate our programs to supporting AAPI LGBTQ youth before they experience moments of crisis. By taking an intersectional approach to anti-racist work and including culturally grounded support for AAPI communities, together we can improve mental health outcomes and save young AAPI LGBTQ lives. The Trevor Project continues to stand with the Asian American community and unequivocally condemns anti-Asian discrimination.

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. Counseling is also available 24/7 via chat every day at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.

Research Brief: Physical Dating Violence and Suicide Risk among LGBTQ Youth

February 12, 2021

Summary

LGBTQ youth are at elevated risk for suicide compared with straight/cisgender peers (Johns et al, 2019; Johns et al., 2020). This increased risk is linked to experiences of rejection, discrimination, and physical harm due to having an LGBTQ identity rather than being LGBTQ itself (Meyer, 2003). LGBTQ youth are also at greater risk of experiencing additional documented risk factors for suicide, including dating violence (Dank et al., 2014). Youth dating violence and youth suicide are both major public health concerns in the United States (CDC, 2012; CDC, 2020); however, little research has been conducted on their intersection among LGBTQ youth. Using data from a large, diverse sample of LGBTQ youth ages 13–24, this brief focuses on the association of physical dating violence and suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth, as well as LGBTQ youth reporting of physical dating violence experiences compared to others.

Results

LGBTQ youth who experienced physical dating violence in the past year had significantly greater odds of reporting a past-year suicide attempt (aOR = 4.09, p<.001). Experiencing physical dating violence was associated with greater odds of a past-year suicide attempt across age ranges, gender identities, and race/ethnicities. Overall, 11% of LGBTQ youth who reported dating someone in the past year experienced physical dating violence. Although LGBTQ youth under age 18 had comparable odds of experiencing physical dating compared to those over 18 (aOR = 0.98, p = .257), there were significant differences within gender identity and race/ethnicity. Cisgender LGBQ girls/women had greater odds of reporting past-year dating violence compared to cisgender LGBQ boys/men (aOR = 1.17, p = .01). Transgender girls/ women (aOR = 1.72, p<.001), transgender boys/men (aOR = 1.57, p<.001), nonbinary youth (aOR = 1.51, p<.001), and youth who were questioning their gender (aOR = 1.38, p<.01) were significantly more likely to experience physical dating violence in the past year compared to cisgender LGBQ boys/men.

American Indian/Alaskan Native LGBTQ youth had more than 2.75 times greater odds of experiencing physical dating violence in the past year compared to White LGBTQ youth (aOR = 2.78, p<.001). Latinx LGBTQ youth (aOR = 1.30, p<.001) and youth who reported multiple race/ethnicities (aOR = 1.42, p<.001) also had greater odds of experiencing physical dating violence in the past year compared to White LGBTQ youth. Black LGBTQ youth had equal odds (aOR = 0.97, p = .78) and Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth had 35% lower odds (aOR = 0.65, p<.001) of experiencing physical dating violence compared to White LGBTQ youth. 

Over one-third (37%) of LGBTQ youth did not tell anyone about their experience of physical dating violence. Cisgender LGBQ boys/men (46%) and Black LGBTQ youth (47%) had higher rates of not telling anyone about their experience of physical dating violence. Friends (53%) were the most common individuals with whom LGBTQ youth reported sharing their experience of physical dating violence, followed by parents (15%) and therapists (14%).

Methodology

Data was collected from an online survey conducted between December 2019 and March 2020 of 40,001 LGBTQ youth recruited via targeted ads on social media. Questions on physical dating violence (“During the past 12 months, how many times did someone you were dating or going out with physically hurt you on purpose?”) and attempted suicide (“During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide?”) were taken from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A logistic regression model adjusting for gender identity, age, and race/ethnicity, was used to examine the association of past-year physical dating violence with past-year attempted suicide. A separate adjusted logistic regression model was used to examine disproportionality in experiencing physical dating violence by age, gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Finally, youth who experienced physical dating violence were asked “Did you tell anyone that someone you were dating or going out with physically hurt you on purpose?” and asked to endorse “no” or select one or more categories of individuals with whom they shared their experience. 

Looking Ahead

LGBTQ youth are among those at highest risk for attempting suicide, and those who experience physical dating violence are at significantly greater risk. Unfortunately, most LGBTQ youth do not disclose their experiences with physical dating violence with adults such as parents, family members, therapists, and medical professionals who may be in a position to help them access professional support. However, most LGBTQ youth who have experienced physical dating violence report confiding in a friend. This data strongly indicates the need to invest in greater school-based programming to prepare young people with ways to identify and assist their peers who may be experiencing dating violence, as well as programs focused on developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Although this brief focused solely on physical dating violence, dating violence among LGBTQ youth can take many forms including emotional, verbal, financial, and sexual abuse as well as stalking and the use of online or digital means to intimidate and abuse (Love is Respect, 2020). It is imperative that dating violence prevention programs cover multiple forms of dating violence, include LGBTQ identities, and consider the cultural contexts in which youth live. 

Given the intersection of suicide risk and dating violence among LGBTQ youth, there is also a need for organizations focused on addressing dating violence to be LGBTQ-inclusive and for suicide prevention organizations to be equipped to address the intersection of dating violence and suicide risk among LGBTQ youth. Further, there is a need to ensure that shelters supporting individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence and law enforcement responses to physical dating violence are sensitive to the experiences of LGBTQ individuals. At The Trevor Project, our crisis services team works 24/7 to provide support for all LGBTQ youth in crisis. Our counselor education incorporates training on dating violence among LGBTQ youth so that our crisis counselors are prepared to best support these youth in ways that respect all of their identities and experiences. 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Suicide Prevention: A Public Health Issue. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ASAP_Suicide_Issue2-a.pdf Accessed on January 11, 2021.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Preventing Teen Dating Violence. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html Accessed on January 11, 2021.

Dank, M., Lachman, P., Zweig, J. M., & Yahner, J. (2014). Dating violence experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(5), 846-857.

Johns, M.M., Lowry, R., Andrzejewski, J., Barrios, L.C., Zewditu, D., McManus, T., et al. (2019). Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school student–19 states and large urban school districts, 2017. MMWR, 68(3), 65-71.

Johns M.M., Lowry R., Haderxhanaj L.T., et al. (2020). Trends in violence victimization and suicide risk by sexual identity among high school students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2015–2019. MMWR Suppl, 69,(Suppl-1):19–27.

Love is Respect (2020). Types of abuse. Available at: https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/types-of-abuse/ Accessed on February 4, 2021.

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674-697.

 

For more information please contact: [email protected]

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Dusty Ray Bottoms & Scarlet Envy on the Fight to End Conversion Therapy

February 4, 2021

The Trevor Project regularly hears from LGBTQ youth affected by conversion therapy across our 24/7 crisis services. Conversion therapy refers to any of several dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Our 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health surveyed over 40,000 LGBTQ youth in the U.S. and found that 10% of respondents reported undergoing conversion therapy, with 78% reporting it occurred when they were under age 18. And according to studies by the UCLA Williams Institute, nearly 700,000 LGBTQ people have been subjected to the horrors of conversion therapy, and they estimate that over 70,000 LGBTQ youth will receive conversion therapy by a licensed health care professional (in a state where protections do not exist) or a religious/spiritual advisor before they reach the age of 18.

Every year, more conversion therapy survivors are coming forward to tell their stories, demonstrating the real and ongoing harm conversion therapy has caused in the United States and around the globe. And each day, The Trevor Project engages in legislation, litigation, and public education to end this dangerous and discredited practice in every city and state across the country.

Dusty Ray Bottoms and Scarlet Envy, fan favorites of RuPaul’s Drag Race, are both survivors who have been profoundly impacted by their experiences with conversion therapy. The Trevor Project spoke to the two about the power of sharing survivor stories and why we must pass legislation to stop licensed mental health practitioners from subjecting minors to  the dangers of conversion therapy.

What would you say to people who don’t know that the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy is still happening? 

Dusty Ray Bottoms: “It’s so important to tell people about and educate them on the harmful practices of conversion therapy. Yes, this is an outdated and harmful ‘practice’ that is still happening to this day! Because it seems so outrageous, most people are shocked to hear it still happens. And there is a reason why conversion therapy is always such a shock to people when they first hear about it. Because the people who are going through it, and who are putting people through it, have a lot of fear and shame and miseducation. And so they aren’t going to be sharing all the information so readily. And the things that go on during ‘conversion therapy’ are very harmful, both physically and mentally. There is a reason for saying Survivor of Conversion Therapy. And why those are the people from whom we are learning about the realities behind conversion therapy. We need to hear and share those stories, and spread awareness, and get everyone to say that this is not ok! That is how we can protect each other and keep these terrible things from happening to anyone else.”

Scarlet Envy: “As someone who fell for the initial promise of a way around my own truth, I find it easy to believe that conversion therapy is still being shadow pitched to the vulnerable. People are fearful of what they do not understand; this lack of empathy is at the core of conversion therapy. Fear will never stop tormenting the closed minded. Though we have glimpses of a promisingly accepting future, recently we’re reminded of the work still to be done socially and politically. At 15, my life was changing. My parents were divorcing, I was experimenting with prescription drugs and alcohol, battling depression and falling out of touch with the only life I knew: one based heavily in the Christian church. I sought help, and was met with ‘tools’ to deny my truth. Conversion therapy doesn’t openly advertise itself for what it is. In my case, it wiggled its way into my Christian based therapy sessions between conversations on schoolwork and track meets. My family’s first mistake was seeking help from a practice based in religion. We simply didn’t know better.”

Throughout your career in drag, you’ve demonstrated tremendous resilience. How has your life & career been shaped by your experiences?

Dusty Ray: “It has affected my career greatly, in positive and negative ways. Every day, I am still working on things about myself that have been affected by conversion therapy. On this side of it, I have become incredibly strong and resilient, and I can keep going because I know that whatever I’m going through can’t last forever, and there is another day coming (good or bad).

But it has also, thirteen years later, affected building relationships… trust with people. That is something that I continue to work on. When I was struggling with coming out and figuring out who I was and where I belonged, I would tell myself that it was “Just for now.” I went through some hard times, but I would remind myself that whatever it was, was ‘Just for now.’ And that is something that I still hold onto and do to this day. There are some really hard times. But you have to remember that you will get through them.”

Scarlet: “My life and work have been forever shaped by conversion therapy. My pendulum swung so far into denying myself during these years, that I actually credit them for the extreme opposite swing of my career in drag. I was able to escape my hopeless teenage attempt to bury myself by launching an era of glittery self-exploration and queer celebration in my 20’s. Drag helped me to forgive the person who felt like something inside me needed to be fixed. My hope is to inspire this in my fans around the world!”

What else would you like to say to people on the topic of conversion therapy?

Dusty Ray: “It’s really true what they say about the old adage, you can’t fix something that’s not broken. Conversion therapy is dangerous. It doesn’t work. It hurts people. If you are struggling with accepting yourself or someone you love, please reach out to The Trevor Project and find someone who understands them who can help you. Not someone who wants to change them and is going to hurt them.”

Scarlet: “Never let someone tell you that you aren’t enough, even if that someone is yourself. As we attempt to (and continually succeed in) dismantling the evil of conversion practices, please beware of who you’re asking for help. There is no shame in asking for help! Let me repeat that: there is no shame in seeking therapy! There are many LGBTQ friendly therapists who will celebrate who you are and work to build you up. You deserve love and you’re not reading this by accident! I’m available on all my socials for anyone who needs advice or encouragement.”

According to The Trevor Project’s research, LGBTQ youth who have undergone conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide as those who did not. That’s why this dangerous practice has been prohibited by 20 states and more than 80 localities, with strong bipartisan support. Far from being a relic of the past, conversion therapy is still happening and must be ended for good. You cannot try to fix something — or someone — that is not broken.

Join 50 Bills 50 States, The Trevor Project’s campaign to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy, by texting TREVOR to 40649.

The Trevor Project Celebrates Historic Nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Secretary of Health

January 20, 2021

Dr. Levine is on track to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Statement from Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director of The Trevor Project:

“Dr. Rachel Levine is an exemplary public servant who will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position of Assistant Secretary of Health. Dr. Levine has dedicated much of her career to improving mental health and advocating for LGBTQ youth, and her fearless leadership of Pennsylvania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has impressed the nation.”

“The Trevor Project congratulates Dr. Levine on this historic nomination and urges the U.S. Senate for a swift confirmation. It will make a world of difference to have a leader at HHS who intimately understands the unique mental health challenges that LGBTQ youth face, as well as the harmful impacts of anti-transgender discrimination in health care and human services.”

Coping with the dumpster fire of the last 12 months

January 19, 2021

By: Tia Dole (she/her), Ph.D., Chief Clinical Operations Officer

A recent survey conducted by The Trevor Project between October and December of 2020 found that over 90% of LGBTQ youth said that recent politics negatively influenced their well-being. This time frame captures the stressful period around the 2020 presidential election and the weeks of intense political division that followed. But it also must be noted within the context of this past year.

The last 12 months have been one of the most transformational, and challenging, time periods in modern history. While 2020 was predominantly characterized by the devastating global pandemic and associated economic turmoil, we also witnessed a series of record-breaking natural disasters that underscored the existential threat of climate change. Over the summer, millions of Americans took part in a social justice uprising against anti-Black violence and systemic racism. Since then, we’ve had the outcome of a free and fair election disputed by a sitting president, raising the prospect that, for the first time in recent U.S. history, we would not have a peaceful transition of power. Then 2021 began with an armed insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol — which further highlighted the double standards experienced by the Black Lives Matter movement — serious delays to the long-promised distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and the second impeachment of President Trump. It has been a mess of a new year and we are only two weeks in!

We know that everyone is worn out from these events and that the continued lack of action to confront injustice can be incredibly frustrating. We also know that certain populations, like young people who are LGBTQ and/or Black, Indigenous, people of color have been disproportionately impacted and continue to face unique struggles. Across our 24/7 crisis services platforms, we’ve been hearing from LGBTQ young people who have expressed a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, anger, grief, and downright emotional exhaustion. For many, physical distancing has meant being forced to confine in unsupportive living environments, sometimes around family members or neighbors with whom they intensely disagree. Feelings of rejection, whether it is by your own family or your own country, can be extremely hard to grapple with.

If you are experiencing these emotions you are not alone. For some, this emotional stress can present itself in the form of physical symptoms, including an inability to concentrate on school, lack of sleep, and nausea. In the midst of all of these intense emotions and uncertainty, it is so important to take care of yourself and to prioritize your mental health. The Trevor Project is here for you 24/7, and we can help you understand and manage any anxiety and stress you may be experiencing. Together, let’s explore some coping strategies and action steps. And remember, there is no correct way to process or respond to what is going on in the world right now. It’s key to find what works best for you.

What can I do to take care of myself?

  • Stop overfunctioning. We have seen many LGBTQ youth who “overfunction” in their lives. LGBTQ young people often strive to be as perfect as possible at school and in life so that they aren’t rejected by family members due to their LGBTQ identity. However, during this last year, overfunctioning has taken a toll. We want to tell you that you don’t have to be perfect. You can make mistakes and sometimes you won’t have the capacity to be there for others. That’s ok too. You are loved.
  • Feel your feelings. All of your feelings are valid. As humans, we sometimes squash our emotions so that we can function. Some people call this “stuffing” their emotions. It is a very effective coping mechanism that can backfire on you. If possible, try to allow yourself some moments to feel what you are feeling (e.g., rage, hopelessness). Give yourself time to feel and make sure you build time to tuck it back in if you need. 
  • Find calm. With everything going on, this can seem like an impossible task but think long and hard about what makes you feel relaxed and at ease. That could involve listening to music, working out, doing yoga, meditating, or cooking. Or it could involve small things that make you feel better, such as taking a moment to enjoy a piece of candy, play with your pet, or start a new game. Look out for the little things each day that bring you joy and help reduce stress.
  • Unplug. If you are ever feeling overwhelmed by the news or social media, do yourself a favor and take a break. While it can be great to stay informed, the world might seem like way too much right now. We urge you to find time each day to disconnect from ALL screens — no phone, iPad, computer, or TV. Or at least set firm boundaries for yourself, like no screen time right before bed. Use this time to center yourself and try to process your emotions without input from others.
  • Sleep. Disconnect from your devices — even leave them in another room — and try your hardest to get eight good hours of sleep each night. Allowing our bodies to rest is essential for our physical and mental health, and a proven way to reduce stress.
  • Pivot to action. When things are out of your control and you start to feel helpless or hopeless, channeling your energy into taking action can help. These actions could involve political activism, volunteer work, or donating to organizations you care about. 
  • Empower yourself through education. If you find yourself having a hard time disconnecting from social media, try pivoting to more reliable news sources. Explore media and literature that reflect more nuanced and positive LGBTQ representation. Education is power and learning more about the issues you care most about can help you gain the confidence to express yourself, have difficult conversations, and help educate others.  
  • Connect with support systems. Whenever you feel surrounded by too much negativity, make time to connect with the people in your life who accept and validate you for who you are. These positive connections are vital for our mental health. If you are not out to anyone in your life and are looking for an affirming community online, try starting with TrevorSpace.org. It can be a great way to build community with fellow LGBTQ young people who might be going through similar experiences.
  • Get help. If you are ever feeling hopeless or suicidal, or simply need to talk with someone to help you process your emotions, please contact The Trevor Project. There are also other resources including online counseling or psychotherapy, and apps that you can download on your phone with helpful mental health resources.

Approach difficult conversations with care — and pick your battles.

As we shared around the presidential election, you may have parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, or other people in your life who have strong feelings about recent politics or issues that you disagree with. This can be incredibly hard, frustrating, and feel invalidating as an LGBTQ young person.

If you’re ever considering engaging in a political discussion with someone in your life, first consider whether it’s worth it. You may feel the need to try and change someone’s mind, but the decision to put yourself in a situation that could threaten your mental and emotional health should be one that you make carefully. You cannot control how someone may respond to you, but you can set expectations for yourself. We also want to acknowledge that some of these conversations happen not because you think you can change the other person’s mind, but because you feel like you need to stand up to the person saying hurtful things to you. In either case, I would like you to first consider these questions:

  • What is your motivation for having the conversation? What would you like to get out of it?
  • Have you ever had a conversation like this before? How did it go?
  • How comfortable are you talking about this topic?
  • How does your experience as an LGBTQ person inform your point of view?
  • What aspects of the subject do you find challenging?
  • What are your assumptions about the other person’s understanding?
  • What environment and time do you think would be the safest to engage in this conversation?

After thinking it through, you may decide that you no longer want to have the conversation, and that’s okay!

If you do choose to have that discussion, it’s critical to make a safety plan. This can include making alternative arrangements for housing, food, or transportation in advance. And then upon entering the conversation, consider communicating any ground rules that might help to create a safe space for you to express yourself, such as only allowing one person to speak at a time. If these ground rules are not respected, or the discussion ever reaches a point where it is no longer productive or safe for your well-being, consider putting your safety plan into action and ending the conversation.

The process of having difficult conversations does not begin or end with the discussion itself. It is essential to consider your mental health and wellness at each step in the journey, especially if you are having these conversations with people you live with.

Never give up. 

So many things may seem to be out of your control right now and this can understandably lead to negative emotions. Each day, if you can, you should check-in with yourself about your mental health, set boundaries, and be honest about when you need to take a break. 

And don’t give up. Your life is valuable and you are not alone. We value you.  

Despite the ever-changing nature of politics and all of the uncertainty around COVID-19, The Trevor Project will continue to be here 24/7 to support the unique needs of LGBTQ youth. And we’re not going to stop fighting — through advocacy, research, education, and more — to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people because you deserve to live your life free from discrimination and fear. 

We are here for you no matter what, and you can be there for yourself, too!

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. Counseling is also available 24/7 via chat every day at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.

Research Brief: Evidence on Covid-19 Suicide Risk and LGBTQ Youth

January 15, 2021

Summary

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended the lives of people around the world, with detrimental impacts on not only physical health but also mental health. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, concerns have arisen around potential increases in suicide risk, particularly among marginalized populations. Prior to the pandemic, LGBTQ youth have been found to be at significantly greater risk for seriously considering and attempting suicide (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020). More research will continue to be conducted, but it is important that current conversations around Covid-19 and suicide risk be evidence-based and data-informed. This brief reviews existing research and data on the association between the Covid-19 pandemic and suicide risk, including as it relates to risk among LGBTQ youth. 

Results

Deaths by suicide in the U.S. since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic
It is still too early to know the full effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on suicide rates. Within the U.S., national suicide death data for 2020 is not yet available (Kochanek et al., 2020). However, in order for suicide deaths to outpace deaths from Covid-19, they would need to occur at seven times the recent annual rate of nearly 50,000 to match the more than 350,000 deaths from Covid-19. Trends data from Massachusetts and Austin, Texas indicate no change and decreases, respectively in suicide deaths (Austin Police Department, 2020; Faust et al., 2020). Recent data from Maryland showed an overall downward trend; however, suicide deaths among those who were Black doubled (Bray et al., 2020). Globally, data points to no significant change in suicide rates among high-income countries, with less data on lower-income countries (John et al., 2020). However, sub-group trends can be hidden in overall rates. For example, among youth in the United Kingdom trends pointed to a potential increase in suicide deaths during their first lock-down; however, the sample size was small, and statistical significance was not achieved (Odd et al., 2020). Covid-19 related factors were found in the suicide deaths of nearly half of youth who died by suicide, including restrictions on education and activities, disruption to care and support services, tensions at home, and isolation. A study of school-aged children in Japan compared suicide deaths between March and May 2020 when schools were shut down to the same time periods in 2018 and 2019 and found no significant differences (Isumi et al., 2020). However, a more recent study of suicide deaths in Japan found a 7% increase in October compared to past years, with the highest increase among women under age 40 (Ueda et al., 2020).
Thoughts of suicide in the U.S. since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic
In a spring 2020 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.5% of those ages 18–24 reported having seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days (Czeisler et al., 2020). For comparison, 11.8% of those ages 18–25 reported seriously considering suicide in the past year in a 2019 survey (SAMHSA, 2020). Additionally, a study of U.S. adults found that individuals who were impacted by stay-at-home restrictions between April and June had significant increases in thoughts of suicide over that time period, while those who were not impacted by stay-at-home restrictions did not have a change in thoughts of suicide over time (Kilgore et al., 2020). A separate study that also looked at suicidal thoughts during stay-at-home orders found that the relationship was due to greater feelings of thwarted belongingness (Gratz et al., 2020), which can be described as loneliness resulting from a lack of reciprocal social relationships.
Covid-19 impact on LGBTQ youth mental health
In general, LGBTQ youth report nearly four times the rate of seriously considering suicide as their straight/cisgender peers (Johns et al, 2019; Johns et al., 2020). Although data is not yet available on suicidal thoughts or attempts among LGBTQ youth during the Covid-19 pandemic, recent polling data among youth ages 13–24 indicates that 35% of LGBTQ youth report feeling much more lonely since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to 22% of cisgender/straight youth (The Trevor Project, 2020a). Further, 28% of LGBTQ youth report feeling much more anxious since the start of the pandemic compared to 18% of straight/cisgender youth.
Impact of increased time at home on LGBTQ youth mental health
For many LGBTQ youth, their home environment is not a safe place, with 16% of LGBTQ youth, including 29% of transgender and nonbinary youth, reporting that they have felt unsafe in their home since the start of Covid-19 compared to 10% of cisgender/straight youth (The Trevor Project, 2020a). A study of an LGBTQ youth online chat-based support group at the beginning of the pandemic found that concerns reflected both experiences typical of many youth, such as adapting to online school, as well specific to LGBTQ youth, such as being stuck with unsupportive parents and the loss of safe spaces where they were affirmed in their identity, like their school’s gender and sexualities alliance (Fish et al., 2020). A recent study of LGBTQ college students found that nearly half (46%) lack families that know or support their LGBTQ identity (Gonzalez et al., 2020). More than 60% of this sample reported frequent psychological distress since the start of the pandemic, and those who lacked family support had 1.8 times greater odds of reporting frequent psychological distress.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted of empirical research conducted in 2020 on Covid-19 and suicide risk. Given the time needed to conduct and publish human subjects research, the vast majority of peer-reviewed publications consisted of speculative information based on past research rather than newly gathered data. As such, in addition to peer-reviewed articles, we searched for pre-prints, data briefs, and publications by government agencies in positions to provide population-level data about suicide risk. Further, given the dearth of data specific to LGBTQ youth and Covid-19, we also provide polling data conducted with this population. 

Looking Ahead

There is a great need to collect additional data to better understand the relationships between Covid-19, suicide risk, and LGBTQ youth, while also providing support to LGBTQ youth who may be experiencing increased anxiety, loneliness, and rejection from their families. The available evidence highlights the need for better data surveillance systems in the U.S. to provide time-sensitive data on suicide, and to ensure that LGBTQ identities are accounted for in national data collection efforts, including death records. Improved collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data as part of violent death reporting is needed to fully understand suicide among LGBTQ individuals. Existing data highlights the importance of analyzing data by subgroups, particularly those who may hold marginalized identities. While data is lacking on actual deaths by suicide, trends in data point to an overall increase in struggles related to mental health and suicide, with LGBTQ youth reporting the highest levels of these struggles. The Trevor Project’s research team is working to provide critical data about the lives of LGBTQ youth during the Covid-19 pandemic, including mental health and suicide risk, through our ongoing National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. The use of evidence and data to inform public health policy and practices is imperative during Covid-19 and beyond. The Trevor Project’s advocacy and research teams are committed to ensuring that LGBTQ youth are included in that data, now and going forward. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to take action to support the needs of LGBTQ youth. Even when practicing physical distancing, LGBTQ youth should know that they are not alone. Our previous research indicates that schools are reported as more affirming of LGBTQ and gender identities than homes (The Trevor Project, 2020b). While all school-aged youth are experiencing challenges related to school closures, these may be particularly felt by LGBTQ youth who no longer have regular access to an environment where they feel affirmed and supported. The Trevor Project is uniquely positioned to provide a range of support to LGBTQ youth throughout this pandemic. We have worked to maintain all of our crisis services 24/7. LGBTQ youth seeking community while physically distant from usual support systems can join TrevorSpace, the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth. It provides LGBTQ youth and allies with a safe, affirming community and the opportunity to connect with people with shared experiences. Finding a safe community online can be a powerful way to deal with physical isolation, receive support, and explore their identity. If you or an LGBTQ young person you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal or would like support from a trained crisis counselor, The Trevor Project is available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678678.

References

Austin Police Department (2020). APD Suicide Data. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/document/487779502/APD-Suicide-Data Accessed on December 14, 2020. 

Bray, M., Daneshvari, N. O., Radhakrishnan, I., Cubbage, J., Eagle, M., Southall, P., & Nestadt, P. S. (2020). Racial differences in statewide suicide mortality trends in Maryland during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry, DOI: https://doi-org.proxyiub.uits.iu.edu/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3938

Kochaneck, K.D., Xu, J., & Arias, E. (2020). Mortality in the United States, 2019. NCHS Data Brief, 395, Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db395-H.pdf Accessed on December 22, 2020.

Czeisler M.É., Lane R.I., Petrosky E., et al. Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the Covid-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1049–1057. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1

Faust, J. S., Shah, S. B., Du, C., Li, S. X., Lin, Z., & Krumholz, H. M. (2020). Suicide deaths during the stay-at-home advisory in Massachusetts. medRxiv. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.20.20215343

Fish, J. N., McInroy, L. B., Paceley, M. S., Williams, N. D., Henderson, S., Levine, D. S., & Edsall, R. N. (2020). “I’m kinda stuck at home with unsupportive parents right now”: LGBTQ youths’ experiences with COVID-19 and the importance of online support. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(3), 450-452.

Gonzales, G., de Mola, E. L., Gavulic, K. A., McKay, T., & Purcell, C. (2020). Mental health needs among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(5), 645-648.

Gratz, K. L., Tull, M. T., Richmond, J. R., Edmonds, K. A., Scamaldo, K. M., & Rose, J. P. Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness explain the associations of Covid‐19 social and economic consequences to suicide risk. Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior.

Isumi, A., Doi, S., Yamaoka, Y., Takahashi, K., & Fujiwara, T. (2020). Do suicide rates in children and adolescents change during school closure in Japan? The acute effect of the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health. Child Abuse & Neglect, 104680.

John, A., Pirkis, J., Gunnell, D., Appleby, L., & Morrissey, J. (2020). Trends in suicide during the covid-19 pandemic. BMJ, 371, m4352-m4352.

Johns, M.M., Lowry, R., Andrzejewski, J., Barrios, L.C., Zewditu, D., McManus, T., et al. (2019). Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school student–19 states and large urban school districts, 2017. MMWR, 68(3), 65-71. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6803a3

Johns M.M., Lowry R., Haderxhanaj L.T., et al. (2020). Trends in violence victimization and suicide risk by sexual identity among high school students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2015–2019. MMWR Suppl, 69,(Suppl-1):19–27. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6901a3

Killgore, W. D., Cloonan, S. A., Taylor, E. C., Allbright, M. C., & Dailey, N. S. (2020). Trends in suicidal ideation over the first three months of Covid-19 lockdowns. Psychiatry Research, 293, 113390.

Odd, D., Sleap, V., Appleby, L., Gunnell, D., & Luyt, K. (2020). Child Suicide Rates during the Covid-19 Pandemic in England: Real-time Surveillance. Available at: https://www.ncmd.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/REF253-2020-NCMD-Summary-Report-on-Child-Suicide-July-2020.pdf Accessed on December 7, 2020. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2020). 2019 NSDUH Detailed Tables. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2019-nsduh-detailed-tables Accessed on December 7, 2020.

The Trevor Project (2020a). How Covid-19 is Impacting LGBTQ Youth. Available at: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Trevor-Poll_COVID19.pdf Accessed on December 7, 2020.

The Trevor Project (2020b). Research Brief: LGBTQ & Gender-Affirming Spaces. Available at: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/12/03/research-brief-lgbtq-gender-affirming-spaces/ Accessed on December 14, 2020.

Ueda, M., Nordström, R., & Matsubayashi, T. (2020). Suicide and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. medRxiv. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.06.20207530

 

For more information please contact: [email protected]

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The Trevor Project Condemns Trump Admin’s Latest Attack on LGBTQ Students

January 12, 2021

Statement from Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director of The Trevor Project:

“The Trevor Project condemns the recent guidance from the Department of Education as a completely unacceptable attack on the rights of LGBTQ young people. In its final hours, the Trump Administration is attempting to once more harm LGBTQ students by misapplying the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. This Administration has consistently misconstrued the law as it applies to protecting LGBTQ youth from discrimination, especially those who are transgender or nonbinary, which puts their mental health and wellness at risk.

“Recent research from The Trevor Project found that LGBTQ youth whose schools are LGBTQ-affirming have significantly reduced rates of attempting suicide. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Designate Miguel Cardona to rescind this discriminatory guidance and implement inclusive policies that allow all LGBTQ students to thrive.”

The Trevor Project Files Amicus Brief in Idaho Supporting Transgender Student-Athlete Rights

December 22, 2020

Read the Full Amicus Brief

The Trevor Project filed an amicus brief yesterday with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Hecox v. Little. Lindsay Hecox is a transgender student at Boise State University who wants to be part of the school track team and filed suit after Idaho passed HB 500 early in 2020 — making it the first state in the nation to restrict transgender women and girls from playing on college and high school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.

The amicus brief provides the Court and the public with The Trevor Project’s unique insights into the serious harms inflicted on transgender and nonbinary students when they are excluded from participating in school programs and activities, like sports, as who they are. The Trevor Project hears regularly via our crisis services from trans youth who just want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong. 

Research around rates of participation and wellbeing among LGBTQ youth athletes, based on data from our 2020 National Survey of over 40,000 LGBTQ youth, emphasizes the importance of affording transgender and nonbinary youth the same opportunities for learning sportsmanship, leadership, confidence, relationship-building, and self-discipline as their cisgender peers. 

  • One in three LGBTQ youth who participated in sports reported their grades as being mostly A’s compared to one in four LGBTQ youth who did not participate in sports.
  • Transgender and nonbinary youth reported significantly lower rates of sports participation than their cisgender LGBQ peers.
  • One in three LGBTQ youth who were not “out” to anyone about their sexual orientation participated in sports compared to one in five who were “out” to all or most of those they knew. Similarly, TGNB youth who were more “out” about their gender identity were less involved in sports than those who were not “out” about their gender identity.

The Trevor Project was represented in this matter by pro bono counsel from Gibson Dunn, including Stuart Delery, Abbey Hudson, Shireen Barday, Dione Garlick, Emily Maxim Lamm, Bethany Saul, and Randi Brown, and Wendy J. Olson from Stoel Rives LLP.

Holiday Self-Care Tips for LGBTQ Youth from Gigi Gorgeous, Kalen Allen, Theo Germaine, and More

December 17, 2020

We know how tough 2020 has been for LGBTQ young people. As Gigi Gorgeous tells us, “it’s so easy to get wrapped up in what’s going on in the world, not seeing anyone and watching the news for hours on end, that we forget to check in with ourselves mentally and physically.” That’s why we’re committed to supporting LGBTQ youth throughout the holiday season, COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.

The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for many LGBTQ youth, including those who do not have supportive families or access to affirming spaces. Now with COVID-19, physical distancing policies implemented to minimize the health risks of the pandemic have further disrupted LGBTQ youth’s access to spaces that they rely on for affirmation, such as school and the homes of friends, romantic partners, and chosen family.

There is no correct way to process everything that is going on in the world right now, but one way to help cope with stress and anxiety is to set aside time each day to engage in self-care and wellness activities that bring you calm and joy. To help LGBTQ youth explore which strategies may work best for them, we asked some of our celebrity and influencer supporters to share their self-care routines.


Photo by: Benjo Arwas
Gigi Gorgeous (she/her): “I have found that by keeping up with my typical beauty routines it really helps bolster my self-esteem and serves as a way for me to keep tabs on my mental wellness during this time. When I wake up and I’m not quite feeling myself, I sit down in front of a mirror and really get into my skincare; I do a great deep skin clean, moisturize and hydrate, and then take some time to play with my makeup to give some sense of normalcy if I were to be leaving the house and making the most of my day. Even if you’re not the best at makeup, dive into it! Play with color, take some chances, then take some photos! Really celebrate yourself.

A number one de-stresser for me is to take a bath and have some alone time. Our minds are so chaotic right now, you have to take the time to breathe everything out and spend time with yourself. I feel super zen coming out of these moments and I truly am a happier person because of this.”

Kalen Allen (he/him): “My self-care routine is meditation and guilty pleasures. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world I simply stop, breathe, and ground myself. Then I spend the rest of the day doing all the things I used to love as a kid. Returning to moments of my youth really vibrates light into my spirit. The innocence of it all is very fresh and renewing.”
Tess Holliday (she/her): “My self-care routine looks a little different this year, and now more than ever I’m caring for myself by being kind and gentle to myself. I’m also setting firm boundaries on where I spend my energy, and making sure that I remind myself that hard moments are only temporary. Oh yeah, and face masks, lots of face masks.”
Theo Germaine (they/he): “For me, self-care is trying to keep up the habit of regularly meditating; it’s a very hard practice to get good at, especially if you have a lot of anxiety. But I do it anyways, and frequently fail – the point is that I’m trying to lasso all my wild thoughts and remind them that I’m there for them, that they deserve peace, security, and love. Then, when I get good enough at that and I’ve corralled all the pieces of myself in one place – I look deep inside and ask myself what I want, and what I need, to feel cared for, and to feel okay.”
Tisha Alyn (she/her): “Self-care during this time of year is more important now than ever. For me, that consists of making sure I’m finding creative ways to stay active, catching up with family and close friends on weekly FT dates, and most of all, declaring out loud what I’m most grateful for every single day. It may seem like a silly task, but what I’ve learned, is that meditating in a state of gratitude is ultimately what brings me a sense of happiness.”

Photo by: Shanna Fisher
Jake Borelli (he/him): “It’s been super hard being so far away from family and friends during the holiday season, so I’ve been spending a lot of time connecting with the people I love over Facetime. I’ll video chat with my two-year-old niece and join in on conversations while she carries me around my brother’s house. You would be surprised how much it feels like you’re really there. I am, of course, binging every show known to man (Survivor is my go-to), and if my anxiety gets too high, I take long, deep breaths and repeat the following mantra in my head until I calm down: ‘I am safe. I am healthy. And I am doing my best.’”