15/06/2024
Transphobia in the Iowa Democratic Party
On 6/15/24, former Stonewall Caucus Vice Chair Sherie Taha took it upon herself to pass out an extremely transphobic screed at the State Convention. She is someone who should absolutely know better. This type of bigotry has no place in the Democratic Party. I will not link to Sherie’s bigoted screed. I’m sure folks can find a copy of that as it is floating around. The most disgusting part of her rant was her “conversations” with elderly le****ns and gay men who are oh so “concerned” about the youth. The State Party Chair Rita Hart absolutely must publicly address this. She has had her own issues with LGBTQ Iowans so she cannot ignore this. Bigotry like this has the potential to encourage voters to stay home
Transgender Iowans face daily challenges just to exist. Recent studies have shown that 40% of transgender youth attempt su***de. Bigotry like that expressed by Ms. Taha is the reason why. Telling trans youth they are just confused isn’t helpful. We can have a responsible discussion about what age is appropriate for things like puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy. What is not up for debate is the right of trans people to exist with the dignity that every human being deserves. I implore Ms. Taha to reflect on her actions and offer a sincere public apology. I encourage her to speak to actual transgender people and educate herself so she understands the harm she has caused. Here are some facts from the Trevor Project that demonstrate just how harmful homophobia and transphobia are.
http://www.thetrevorproject.org
Top-Line Facts & Statistics
Su***de is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year-olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people are at significantly increased risk.
LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt su***de than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020).
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider su***de each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts su***de every 45 seconds.
The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting su***de in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.
Mental Health Disparities Across Social Identities
Transgender and Nonbinary Young People Mental Health Facts
Transgender and nonbinary young people face elevated risk for depression, thoughts of su***de, and attempting su***de compared to those who are cisgender and straight, including cisgender members of the LGBTQ+ community.
A 2020 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that transgender and nonbinary youth were 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider su***de, and attempt su***de compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers.
LGBTQ+ Young People of Color Mental Health Facts
The Trevor Project’s 2023 national survey found that nearly all LGBTQ+ young people of color reported higher rates of attempting su***de than their white peers in the past year. Among the more than 28,000 LGBTQ+ young people surveyed, 11% of white youth attempted su***de compared to 22% of Native/Indigenous youth, 18% of Middle Eastern/Northern African youth, 16% of Black youth, 17% of multiracial youth, 15% of Latinx youth, and 10% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth.
Across race/ethnicity, Native/Indigenous youth who are Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ consistently report the highest su***de risk.
Nearly a quarter of Indigenous LGBTQ+ young people (23%) reported attempting su***de in the past year, compared to 14% among the overall sample of LGBTQ+ young people.
In particular, Black transgender and nonbinary young people report disproportionate rates of su***de risk — with 58% seriously considering su***de and 1 in 4 (25%) attempting su***de in the past year.
These disparities highlight the devastating impacts of historical and ongoing oppression and trauma inflicted on Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
Some Key Risk Factors for Su***de among LGBTQ+ Young People
Minority Stress
The Minority Stress Model, one of the most predominant theories used to explain mental health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, suggests that experiences of LGBTQ+-based victimization — and the internalization of these experiences and anti-LGBTQ+ messages — can compound and produce negative mental health outcomes and increase su***de risk among LGBTQ+ individuals (Meyer, 2003).
A 2021 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the American Journal of Community Psychology, found that greater experiences of minority stress experiences are associated with increased odds of attempting su***de. LGBTQ+ young people who reported experiencing four types of minority stress — LGBTQ+-based physical harm, discrimination, housing instability, and change attempts by parents — were 12 times at greater odds of attempting su***de compared to youth who experienced none.
Rejection and a Lack of Social Support & Affirming Spaces
Research suggests that among LGBTQ+ young people, only one-third experience parental acceptance, with an additional one-third experiencing parental rejection, and the final one-third not disclosing their LGBTQ+ identity until they are adults (Katz-Wise et al., 2015). Another study found that LGB young adults who report high levels of parental rejection are eight times more likely to report attempting su***de and six times more likely to report high levels of depression (Ryan et al., 2009).
Many LGBTQ+ young people lack access to affirming spaces, with only 38% of LGBTQ+ youth reporting that their home is LGBTQ+-affirming and just over half saying that their school is LGBTQ+-affirming. Just over 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming, and 52% found their school to be affirming. The Trevor Project’s research consistently finds that LGBTQ+ young people report lower rates of attempting su***de when they have access to LGBTQ+-affirming spaces.
The Trevor Project is a non-profit su***de prevention organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services, research, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people.
