Trans Day of Visibility: Celebrating Trans People & Highlighting the Mental Health Crisis

On this day of transgender visibility, we're taking time to celebrate the lives of trans people, and raise awareness of the continuous attacks on their rights, health, and livelihood. 

The trans community is facing an array of challenges, from bans on drag shows to forced detransition. Here at Causes, we urge you to take a stand against transphobia in America. Contact your representatives, tell them your stance on anti-trans laws, and donate to the organizations listed below fighting for justice.  

Be sure to view our LGBTQ+ Rights & Trans Bans Tracker to stay up-to-date on the challenges the community faces today. 

Donate

• The Human Rights Campaign
• GLAAD - The world's largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization 
• The National Center for Transgender Equality

Updated on March 29, 2023

• Monday's school shooting in Nashville was found to have been perpetrated by a 28-year-old transgender man named Audrey Hale, and activists are worried that the tragedy may incite unfair attacks and reprisals on transgender communities and individuals.
• Some conservative commentators and politicians, like Sen. J.D. Vance and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-N.C.), have blamed the shooting on Hale's gender identity, using it as ammo in the growing culture war on trans rights among Republican lawmakers.
• Greene tweeted:

“How much hormones like testosterone and medications for mental illness was the transgender school shooter taking? Everyone can stop blaming guns now."

• Vance said:

"We're still learning about the horrific shooting in Nashville. But if early reports are accurate that a trans shooter targeted a Christian school, there needs to be a lot of soul searching on the extreme left. Giving in to these ideas isn't compassion, it's dangerous."

• There were 646 mass shootings last year and more than 100 in 2023 but the conversation about restrictions on gun access has been eclipsed by attacks on transgender individuals. 
• Activists are worried that the tragedy could serve as a pretext to deny trans communities rights, which are already under a sustained attack from state and federal lawmakers.
• Alejandra Caraballo, a trans clinical instructor at Harvard Law School said:

"When hundreds of white men commit mass shootings, it's a 'societal problem,' but when one trans person commits a mass shooting, it's a 'trans problem.'" 

The big picture of trans youth mental and physical health

• In 2021, the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth crisis organization, found that 25% of the 1,717 Black transgender and nonbinary youth they interviewed had attempted suicide in the past year.
• Over one-third of the Black trans youth polled, aged 13 to 24, have experienced homelessness or been kicked out of their home. In comparison, 24% of Black cisgender queer youth reported the same experience.
• Roughly 40% of respondents have been physically threatened or harmed, and 77% have been discriminated against due to their gender identity and sexual orientation. Nearly 45% of trans youth have experienced cyberbullying, and one-third said they feel unsafe seeing medical professionals, even when sick.
• Only 13% of the Black trans and nonbinary youth reported having a supportive home environment.

The impact of anti-trans bills

• Currently, there are more than 150 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across 23 states that have been pre-filed, introduced, or passed since the beginning of the year. In total, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 371 anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
• The Trevor Project ran a separate poll in January about the impact of anti-trans and LGBTQ+ policies and bills on mental health — roughly 86% of respondents reported overwhelmingly negative effects on their mental soundness and sense of safety.
• Between 74-80% said that bills seeking to ban or limit gender-affirming medical care, along with bans on LGBTQ+ books and materials, make them angry. 
• Kasey Suffredini (he/him), VP of Advocacy & Government Affairs of The Trevor Project, said:

"Right now, we are witnessing the highest number on record of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this early in any legislative session. We must consider the negative toll of these ugly public debates on youth mental health and well-being."

If you or someone you need is struggling

• In the U.S.: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide has contact information for crisis centers around the world.

Protect queer youth and speak out against anti-trans bills. Contact your reps now.

—Emma Kansiz

(Photo credit: Creative Commons Google/Ted Eytan)