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How to Save Transgender Lives
When my daughter came out, I did not do the things I will recommend here. This is my greatest regret in life.
According to the Family Acceptance Project of San Francisco State University, high levels of family rejecting behavior, such as not using a transgender person’s correct name and pronouns and not providing access to medical treatment, results in 8x higher risk of a suicide attempt.
This is an 800% increase in suicide risk when compared with a transgender person coming out to a supportive family, school and/or workplace, and community.
This is not just about parent support. You may be a transgender person’s aunt, babysitter, grandfather, teacher, friend, neighbor, or any other person who was formerly a warm, loving, 100% affirming presence in their life.
Even if you only saw them occasionally, your rejection could be a devastating trigger for despair and hopelessness. If you do not do what I say below, please know that you are increasing their risk of death. I don’t believe you want to do that.
As I share in much greater depth in my article, What to Do When Your Kid Comes Out as Transgender, there are a few relatively easy steps for families, teachers, friends, and all others to reduce the risk that a transgender person will attempt suicide.
