New survey links anti-LGBTQ+ climate to high suicide risk among queer youth

A national survey released May 6 by the Trevor Project finds that LGBTQ+ youth across the United States continue to face alarming mental health challenges closely tied to discrimination and hostile politics.

The annual LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Survey, which gathered responses from 16,000 LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24, reports that 1 in 10 respondents attempted suicide in the past year. While slightly lower than last year’s 12%, the rate remains critically high. In addition, 36% said they had seriously considered attempting suicide, including 40% of transgender and nonbinary young people.

The data reveal stark racial disparities. LGBTQ+ young people of color reported higher suicide attempt rates than their white peers, and nearly one-third (32%) said they had experienced racial or ethnic discrimination.

Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, said the findings reflect a broader social and political environment that harms queer youth.

“Given the current climate in our country, it comes as no surprise that many LGBTQ+ young people are reporting high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality,” Black said in a statement. “This national survey demonstrates that LGBTQ+ youth experience these negative mental health outcomes not because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated by others.”

The survey directly examined the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric. Nine in ten respondents said recent laws, policies and public debates targeting LGBTQ+ people caused them stress or anxiety.

Recent political actions have intensified this pressure. After centering gender identity in his campaign, President Donald Trump returned to the White House and advanced executive orders aimed at rolling back federal protections for transgender people, restricting their access to military service and limiting federal recognition to only two sexes, male and female. At the state level, lawmakers have introduced and passed a growing number of bills targeting LGBTQ+ communities, with particular focus on limiting the rights of transgender youth.

These developments build on an already troubling trend. A smaller Trevor Project survey in 2025 documented high levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. That same year, researchers and advocates reported that LGBTQ-related policies and political attacks prompted more than a quarter-million LGBTQ+ young people and family members to relocate within the United States.

“For many LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S., the steady stream of anti-LGBTQ+ news may feel overwhelming right now,” Steven Hobaica, a research scientist at the Trevor Project, told USA TODAY in 2025. “It’s heartbreaking to see that nearly half of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered moving due to anti-LGBTQ+ policies,” he added.

Despite the grim statistics, the latest survey points to clear pathways for reducing risk. LGBTQ+ young people who reported having supportive communities, affirming spaces and caring adults in their lives were significantly less likely to attempt suicide.

Black framed those findings as a direct challenge to adults, policymakers and community leaders.

“As adults and allies, this is our call to action: We must continue to vocally and visibly show the LGBTQ+ young people in our lives that they belong, exactly as they are,” Black said.

Advocates say the data make plain that affirming policies, inclusive environments and active allyship are life-saving conditions for LGBTQ+ youth.