Point of Pride Responds to Groundbreaking Study Linking Anti-Trans Legislation to 72% Increase in Suicide Attempts

September 27, 2024

A groundbreaking study published in Nature has unveiled devastating findings that anti-trans legislation significantly increases the risk of suicide attempts among transgender youth. The study, which analyzed data from over 61,000 transgender and nonbinary individuals, found that states with laws restricting gender-affirming care, bathroom access, and school policies saw suicide attempt rates rise by 72% among transgender youth aged 13 to 17, compared to states without such legislation.

At Point of Pride, we are seeing firsthand the human toll of these harmful laws. There has been a sharp increase in the number of applicants seeking assistance from states considered high-risk for anti-trans legislation. Barriers to healthcare, public life, and more are having devastating effects on the health and mental well-being of the transgender community, particularly its youth.

70% of all applications received for the 2024 HRT Access Fund, for example, came from trans and gender diverse people living in states considered high-risk for anti-trans legislation. Many applicants have shared in their stories that they struggle to imagine a future for themselves, citing the overwhelming impact of these barriers on their mental health—further underscoring the increase in suicidality seen in studies like this one.

“The stories we hear from applicants are gut-wrenching,” shares Abby Jaetzold, Care Coordinator at Point of Pride. “Many of these individuals live in states where they feel unsafe because their very existence is being attacked simply because they're trying to live their truth. I've spoken to young people who have little hope for their future because their basic rights, healthcare access, and safety are under constant threat, causing them to be terrified to leave their homes. The impact of these harmful laws on their mental health is profound and deeply alarming. As this study illustrates, many simply can't imagine a future for themselves.”

Aydian Dowling, Chief Advancement Officer and co-founder of Point of Pride, shared, “The increase in suicide attempts is both heartbreaking and predictable. This study validates what our community has been experiencing for years—these laws are not just political talking points; they are a direct attack on the health and lives of transgender individuals.”

“The evidence is clear: gender-affirming care saves lives, and denying it puts our most vulnerable at risk,” says Jeff Main, Executive Director and co-founder of Point of Pride. “At Point of Pride, we are more determined than ever to ensure that those affected by these damaging policies receive the support they need—not just to survive, but to live full, long, and fulfilling lives.”