Transgender students are facing an increase in bullying and harassment at school, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In its 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Study (YRBS), the CDC revealed that nearly 40% of transgender students and students questioning their gender identity reported being bullied. This rate is nearly double the incidence reported by their cisgender peers. This sheds light on a significant and often overlooked issue.
The YRBS, which surveyed 20,000 high school students, found that about 3% of those surveyed identified as transgender. Another 2% expressed uncertainty about their gender identity. This study marks the first time the CDC has explicitly asked about gender identity in this study, underscoring the growing recognition of LGBTQ+ youth experiences in schools.
The study showed that 40.1% of transgender students and 39.9% of those questioning their gender identity reported experiencing bullying, compared to 20.3% of cisgender girls and 14.8% of cisgender boys. In addition to physical and verbal bullying, many trans and questioning youths reported high levels of cyberbullying. This greatly adds to their daily challenges. Because of the rise of technology, it has become possible for bullying to follow them home. For many, the harassment was so overwhelming that it led them to skip school, feeling unsafe in their learning environments.
Kathleen Ether, irector of the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the CDC, noted that this bullying has serious consequences. “When you don’t create a safe and supportive school environment for the most vulnerable youth, it has an impact on their mental health and their suicidal thoughts and behaviors.” In fact, 5% of non-cisgender high schoolers reported poor mental health and a higher risk of suicide in comparison to their cisgender peers. Almost 53% of transgender youth reported having serious suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Furthermore, anti-trans laws and policies are exacerbating the crisis. These policies have increased the likelihood of suicidal thoughts among transgender students. It’s crucial that schools adopt inclusive policies to promote a supportive and safe environment for all students. Advocating for these changes is key to protecting the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and ensuring their safety and future success.
If you are in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
