Transgender youth across the United States have been seeking assistance from crisis hotlines since Donald Trump assumed the presidency, as his campaign prominently featured anti-transgender rhetoric. Many teens are anxious about the potential impact of his policies on their lives moving forward.
During his run for office, Trump committed to implementing broad restrictions on, and reversing civil rights protections for, transgender students. One significant change his administration could rapidly initiate is the exclusion of transgender students from Title IX protections, which govern school policies related to the use of pronouns, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
One advertisement that aired over 15,000 times succinctly captured Trump’s stance towards transgender and nonbinary individuals: “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.” For a 16-year-old nonbinary teen in Alabama, this ad seemed to portray transgender people as a societal threat. Just before the Election Day, the teen reached out to the Rainbow Youth Project’s crisis hotline, which has seen a surge in calls—over 5,500 in just ten days, compared to the usual monthly average of 3,700.
According to his mother, Carolyn Fisher, her child was experiencing despair and suicidal thoughts. She expressed that she hadn’t fully understood the severity of her child’s mental health struggles or the emotional distress caused by politically charged advertisements that felt like personal attacks.
With support from crisis counselors, Fisher reported that her child is beginning to feel better. However, bullying has intensified at school, with some peers taunting him, claiming that Trump would force him to “go back in the closet.” Fisher noted, “The kids who have taunted him are now proud of themselves, and they rub it in.”
Opposition to transgender rights was a critical issue throughout Trump’s campaign. Political advertisements challenging opponents on transgender or LGBTQ+ issues have aired over 290,000 times since March 2023. This messaging seems to have resonated with a considerable portion of the electorate; surveys indicate that about half of voters—especially Trump supporters—feel that support for transgender rights has gone too far.
In contrast, President Joe Biden’s administration has worked to enhance recognition and protections for transgender rights this year. The interpretation of Title IX, established in 1972, has historically been pivotal for women’s rights, yet Biden’s administration recently expanded it to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, these guidances could easily be reversed under a Trump administration, which has already seen courts impose pauses on the implementation of Biden’s rule in numerous states.
“Title IX will be a top priority,” said Candice Jackson, a lawyer who served in the Education Department under Trump. The former president has also indicated intentions to push Congress for legislation recognizing “only two genders” and to outlaw hormonal or surgical treatments for transgender youth across all states. Many states governed by Republican policies have already enacted bans on gender-affirming healthcare for adolescents under 18 or 19 and have instituted restrictions on bathroom access for transgender individuals in schools.
While Biden’s guidelines during the election year did not encompass rules for transgender students in sports, Trump has vowed to end participation of transgender females in women’s sports. The approach to these matters would likely revert to a “traditional understanding” according to biological sex, as asserted by Bob Eitel, who provided counsel to the education secretary during Trump’s first term.
Statistics show that approximately 3.3% of high school students identify as transgender, with an additional 2.2% questioning their gender identity, as reported by the CDC. Alarmingly, the CDC data reflects that 72% of transgender and gender-questioning teenagers have reported ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness within the past year. Furthermore, 25% of these youth have reported attempting suicide.
In response to the rising anguish among transgender and nonbinary youth, advocates within the LGBTQ+ community are mobilizing resources. Organizations like the Rainbow Youth Project have amplified virtual peer support groups and town hall meetings, ensuring LGBTQ+ youths can find connection. Another organization, It Gets Better, is utilizing online platforms for outreach, working to cultivate supportive environments despite potential legal setbacks.
As uncertainty looms particularly in conservative regions, LGBTQ+ youth are contemplating the possibility of relocating for greater safety. One such young person, Jude Armstrong, a transgender senior from New Orleans, has organized protests against state laws curtailing discussions related to gender and sexuality. With a changing federal landscape ahead, Armstrong has considered studying in the United Kingdom but grapples with the idea of leaving the queer community he cherishes.
Alejandro Jimenez, a Texas State University sophomore aiming to become a theater teacher, reflects on the importance of visibility for transgender children in educational spaces. However, fears surrounding safety on campus have begun to surface, especially following instances of homophobic protesting occurring post-election.
Amid these challenges, advocates are worried that efforts to support transgender and nonbinary students may face increased scrutiny under a new Trump administration, which has indicated plans to withdraw federal funding from schools promoting a “gender ideology.” One advocate voiced concerns about the implications of inclusivity becoming a target for governmental retribution in a climate that feels dystopian.
Despite these challenges, Eli, an 18-year-old transgender college student from New York, stressed the need for community and solidarity, particularly for youth feeling anxious about the future. “You are not alone,” said Eli, who serves as an ambassador for It Gets Better. “We will come out the other side. There are queer adults who have lived long and happy lives, and you will get there too.”
