Full Breakdown
Transgender Youth Survey Links Lack of Hormone Access to Higher Suicide Attempts Amid Expanding Anti-LGBTQ Policies
5/8/2026, 3:31:23 AM
Survey Findings on Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health
The Trevor Project released a national survey of 16,667 LGBTQ+ respondents, including more than 10,000 transgender, nonbinary, and gender-queer youth. Among participants aged 13-17, only 10 % reported taking hormones; the figure rose to 44 % for ages 18-24, while just 3 % reported using puberty blockers. Youth who wanted hormones but could not obtain them were nearly twice as likely to report a past-year suicide attempt (15 % vs 8 %). Additionally, 87 % of hormone-receiving respondents expressed concern about losing access, and 90 % of all LGBTQ+ respondents said recent anti-LGBTQ laws caused stress or anxiety (94 % among trans and nonbinary respondents).
Background: Legislative and Policy Landscape
Over the past two years, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in *United States v. Skrmetti* upheld state bans on gender-affirming care for minors. Several Republican-controlled states have enacted similar bans. The Trump administration issued the “Kennedy Declaration,” threatening federal funding for hospitals that provide such care, prompting more than 40 hospital systems to discontinue trans-youth programs. Anti-trans advocacy groups have circulated misinformation and promoted conversion-therapy-like practices at major medical conferences.
Data Overview
- Survey respondents: 16,667 (>=10,000 trans-identified)
- Hormone use: 10 % (ages 13-17), 44 % (ages 18-24)
- Puberty-blocker use: 3 %
- Suicide-attempt rate: 15 % (no hormone access) vs 8 % (currently on hormones)
- Anxiety/stress from anti-LGBTQ policies: 90 % (all LGBTQ+), 94 % (trans/nonbinary)
- Relocation consideration: 32 % of LGBTQ+ youth; Movement Advancement Project/NORC poll estimates 400,000 trans individuals relocated since the 2024 election.
Impact and Why It Matters
The survey ties restricted access to gender-affirming care with elevated suicide risk and heightened anxiety among transgender youth. The migration data suggests that anti-LGBTQ legislation is influencing family relocation decisions, potentially reshaping demographic patterns in states with differing policy environments.
Official Statements & Responses
The Trevor Project’s press release emphasized that mental-health disparities stem from mistreatment rather than gender identity, urging supportive communities to reduce suicide risk. The American Psychological Association, representing 157,000 members, adopted a resolution condemning bans on gender-affirming care. The Supreme Court’s ruling in *Skrmetti* affirmed states’ authority to prohibit such care, while the Kennedy Declaration signaled potential federal funding cuts for non-compliant hospitals.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents argue that transgender youth are being “rushed” into medical interventions, a claim the survey directly contradicts by showing that the majority of minors are not receiving hormones or blockers. Anti-trans groups continue to disseminate pseudoscientific claims and lobby for restrictive legislation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The political narrative of widespread medical transition among minors conflicts with the survey’s finding that only a small fraction of transgender adolescents are on hormones or blockers. No independent data were provided on the actual implementation of state bans beyond self-reported access concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported being unable to access hormones to support their gender transition or expression were nearly twice as likely to report a past-year suicide attempt compared to those who were currently taking hormones (15% vs 8%),” — The Trevor Project report
- “Ninety percent of all LGBTQ+ youth said recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and debates caused them stress or anxiety, and 94% of trans and nonbinary respondents answered likewise.” — The Trevor Project survey data
- “Worse, 32% of LGBTQ+ youth said these laws and policies had made them or their families consider moving to a different state altogether.” — The Trevor Project survey data
- “Given the current climate in our country, it comes as no surprise that many LGBTQ+ young people are reporting high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Similar to previous research, this national survey demonstrates that LGBTQ+ youth experience these negative mental health outcomes not because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated by others,” — Jaymes Black, CEO, The Trevor Project
What’s Next
The APA’s resolution may spur legal challenges to state bans, while ongoing research continues to assess the mental-health effects of gender-affirming care. Advocacy groups plan to monitor implementation of the Kennedy Declaration and to support families considering relocation due to hostile policy environments.
