Schools in the United States are often a source of stress for transgender and nonbinary children, according to a recent survey conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey revealed that 45% of trans adults felt unsafe at school, making it one of the greatest stressors for trans children. This is a sharp contrast to cisgender children, of whom only 10% reported feeling unsafe at school. Poor treatment at school can cause mental health crises, curbing academic achievement and generating consequences that span lifetimes. The negative experiences at school have caused many trans adults to turn to other methods to gain acceptance, including substance abuse, and have led to depression and anxiety.
In addition to these struggles, transgender youth are facing a new threat in the form of “forced outing” bills that are making schools unsafe. Several “parental rights” proposals, which aim to give parents greater control over their children’s education, would formally allow or require schools to deadname trans students or out them to their parents without consent. While some parents and teachers argue they have a right to know, others warn it could jeopardize the mental health and physical safety of gender-nonconforming children and place educators in the crosshairs.
Many transgender children fear being deadnamed, which is when their birth name is used instead of their preferred name. For example, one 17-year-old, Al Stone-Gebhardt, who is transgender, feared that his high school would use his deadname on his diploma and during the commencement ceremony instead of his legally changed name. The Associated Press contacted the school about Stone-Gebhardt’s fears, as well as concerns from his mother, who felt she was getting the runaround when she tried to discuss the issue with school officials. A spokesperson said the school would work with his parents to make sure his correct name is used.
The results of the survey come as the nation debates what children should be able to learn and do at school, and as a GOP-led movement seeks to circumscribe the rights of LGBTQ students. As of late 2022, eight states had passed 15 laws limiting education on gender identity or sexual orientation, per a Post analysis, while 22 states had passed 27 laws barring trans students from sports teams and school facilities that match their gender identities. As of April 10, at least 10 states had enacted laws restricting gender-affirming health care for trans children.
Schools are a significant source of stress for trans and nonbinary children, and the introduction of “forced outing” bills in many states threatens to make things even worse. The negative experiences at school can cause mental health crises, leading to depression and anxiety and curbing academic achievement, which can generate consequences that span lifetimes. As such, schools and lawmakers must create a safe environment for transgender and nonbinary children to learn and grow, free from discrimination and harassment.
Sources:
- The Washington Post
- The Associated Press
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