Youth's Lives Every Day
Anti-transgender state laws – such as the one upheld in this case – caused up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth
June 18, 2025 – Today, The Supreme Court of the United States decided to uphold a Tennessee law that bans certain medicines for transgender youth while allowing them to remain readily available for all other youth in the case, United States v. Skrmetti.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, shared the following statement in response:
“Every young person should have access to the medical care they need to lead healthy, long lives – and that includes transgender and nonbinary youth. It is deeply troubling to see the country’s highest court decide that politicians can make certain medicines illegal for some young people, while allowing them to remain readily accessible for others. That is discrimination. Period.
“Playing politics with young people’s lives can have fatal consequences. The Trevor Project’s peer-reviewed study found that anti-transgender state laws – like the one upheld in this case – directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%. If the Court isn’t going to protect the rights of families to provide medically necessary care for their children, lawmakers will have to.
“Trans and nonbinary youth deserve better. For any young person who needs support, The Trevor Project’s counselors are here for you 24/7. We know this news is difficult, and we remain committed to working with our partners and allies across the country to ensure that all young people can lead safe, healthy, and full lives – without being discriminated against for who they are.”
Relevant research:
- A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Nature Human Behaviour from researchers at The Trevor Project found that anti-transgender state laws, such as the Tennessee law in this case, directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%.
- A 2022 peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Adolescent Health from researchers at The Trevor Project found gender-affirming hormone therapy was significantly related to lower rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary young people.
- The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found nearly half (45%) of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they or their family have considered moving to a different state due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics and laws.
- The overwhelming majority of transgender youth who received puberty blockers, hormones or other gender-affirming medical care report being satisfied with treatment, and go on to live happy, healthy lives.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
