(source: IMAGN) Transgender activists, advocacy groups and allies gather at the Ohio Statehouse to protest Ohio's new transgender bathroom bill on Feb. 25, 2025.
California – A series of policy decisions by the Trump administration targeting transgender youth have contributed to a burgeoning mental health crisis among this already vulnerable population, according to experts and advocates.
Even in California, known for its protective policies regarding transgender rights, nonprofit leaders and case workers report alarming increases in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts among the youth they support. Jill Jacobs, CEO of the Bay Area-based Family Builders, expressed distress over the situation, saying, “Kids and families are scared to death. It’s like they’re terrorized, that’s what it feels like.”
Data from The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth, highlights the severity of the crisis, showing a nearly 700% increase in contacts to its mental health crisis hotline immediately following the presidential election.
Advocates note that anti-trans policies at the federal level have fostered an environment where prejudice against transgender individuals has become more normalized. Some local communities have even felt emboldened to introduce their own discriminatory policies. For example, several California school boards had attempted to require that staff inform parents if a child identifies as a gender different from their official records, although those measures have since been outlawed by the state.
The anxiety induced by these political shifts is palpable, according to Jacobs, who noted that the overt hatred endorsed by some government leaders is unprecedented in her nearly three decades of experience in the field. “What’s happening now is this overt hatred that’s being endorsed and supported,” she said.
In a study published last fall, The Trevor Project found that states with legislation aimed negatively at transgender youth saw suicide attempts increase by as much as 72%. In response, California has established itself as a sanctuary state for transgender healthcare, allowing out-of-state youths and families to seek hormones and puberty blockers within its borders. Recent legislation also mandates that health insurers cover transgender healthcare services.
However, the sanctuary status is now facing challenges under the Trump administration. Among the administration’s executive orders are those that recognize only two biological sexes, threaten funding for schools supporting transgender students, and prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports. One order particularly stirs controversy by seeking to end hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care for individuals under 19, labeling it as “chemical and surgical mutilation,” despite substantial research indicating that such care improves mental health outcomes.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles temporarily discontinued transgender health services for patients under 19 in response to the order but reversed this decision following a warning from California’s Department of Justice.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has stepped in, reminding healthcare providers of existing state laws which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a proactive measure, Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening protections for transgender youth, criticizing the “scapegoating” of a marginalized population. “It should not surprise anyone that with this kind of toxic, horrific environment targeting trans people, that it would lead to mental health issues,” he stated.
Organizations providing support services are witnessing increasing fear and hopelessness among transgender youth. Joscelyn Inton-Campbell, a manager at TransFamily Support Services in San Diego, pointed to a recent surge in attendance at their support sessions, stating, “A lot of the responses are ‘Do I have a future? Are they going to try and take away my access to my medical care?’”
Personal accounts highlight the compounded stress and fear facing transgender individuals. Daniella, a 20-year-old community college student, recounted a terrifying incident of harassment in class, associating the palpable hostility in society with current leadership. “It was literally terrifying… This is the new normal,” she said.
Mental health professionals like L Tuiletufuga, who works with the San Diego LGBT Community Center, see a direct link between the current political climate and the mental wellbeing of the youth they counsel. “They feel specifically and uniquely targeted by this administration,” said Tuiletufuga.
As advocates continue to support transgender youth amidst these challenges, they emphasize resilience within the community. Inton-Campbell noted the importance of reminding young people that there are safe adults in their lives who care, a factor that has been shown to reduce suicide risk.
