New research reveals profound impact of pronoun respect on mental health of trans and non-binary youth

A groundbreaking report from The Trevor Project has unveiled a critical correlation between the consistent use of affirmed pronouns and a significant reduction in suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary youth. The study underscores that validating a young person's identity through respectful language is not merely a gesture of politeness but a vital intervention for mental well-being and life preservation.

According to the comprehensive findings, transgender and nonbinary youth, aged 13 to 24, who consistently had their pronouns respected, reported being 31 percent less likely to attempt suicide within the past year compared to those whose pronouns were not honored. The data further illustrates this stark disparity: nearly a quarter (23 percent) of youth who experienced no consistent pronoun respect from others had attempted suicide, a figure that dramatically drops to just 10 percent for those who reported that almost everyone in their lives used their correct name and pronouns.

Steven Hobaica, lead research scientist on the report, emphasized the fundamental nature of pronoun respect. "Pronoun respect is just showing respect for someone, their identity, their feelings, how they take up space, how they navigate the world," Hobaica stated to The Advocate. He added that actively disregarding a person's chosen name or pronouns constitutes a direct affront to their sense of self and dignity, drawing a parallel to the common acceptance of nicknames or cisgender individuals changing their names.

The report also highlighted a significant gap in experiences of pronoun affirmation, with less than half (46 percent) of transgender and nonbinary youth reporting that their pronouns were consistently respected by a majority of people in their lives. Disparities emerged across age groups; older transgender youth (18-24) were more likely to experience consistent pronoun respect (51 percent) than their younger counterparts (13-17), at 40 percent. Hobaica theorized that this discrepancy might be rooted in the persistent, yet debunked, misconception that young people are too immature to comprehend their gender or sexual identity. "All data that we have on this topic, as well as our own lived experiences with identity where many of us have very firm understandings of our identity at very young ages. These things don't just change overnight," he affirmed.

Further analysis revealed differences in pronoun respect based on specific gender identities. Transgender boys and men (52 percent), along with transgender girls and women (48 percent), reported higher rates of pronoun respect than youth who were questioning their gender (40 percent) and nonbinary individuals (37 percent). Hobaica attributed some of these variances to linguistic conventions and societal familiarity, noting that perceived "newness" of gender-neutral or neopronouns can engender discomfort. He clarified that the singular "they" has a centuries-long history of use, as do various neopronouns.

Hobaica underscored the profound positive impact of acknowledging an individual's self-identification. "What we do know is that by listening and respecting this person in front of us who is asking to be called by a specific name or use specific words when we're referring to them, it's going to really impact that person's experience in this conversation and afterwards," he explained.

As the holiday season approaches, a period that can be particularly challenging for LGBTQ+ youth navigating unsupportive family environments, Hobaica offered practical advice. He encouraged queer youth to prioritize their well-being by removing themselves from stressful situations, connecting with supportive friends, or utilizing crisis hotlines. For families, he reiterated the transformative power of even modest efforts to provide support. "It's not about knowing every pronoun that exists and memorizing them and getting it right 100 percent of the time," Hobaica emphasized. "It's about effort, and just attempting to be respectful and kind to people. Just doing your best to meet youth where they're at, and listening to them and doing your best to respect them."