Statement from Brightline in support of youth who identify as transgender or gender diverse (TGD) — affirming care saves lives

According to The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. However, transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all of the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected by anyone with whom they lived.

Youth who identify as TGD already face clear disparities in accessing the mental health care they deserve.?Brightline stands firmly against any individual, group, or organization who is making that access even harder. We’re aligned with groups such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in their support of gender affirming care for youth.

Brightline exists to eliminate the barriers that families of all kinds face in receiving access to inclusive, affordable, and effective mental and behavioral health care. All children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families deserve care that makes them feel seen and heard, regardless of their gender identity.?

Brightline stands in clear opposition to Governor Abbott’s statements and campaign. If you’d like to join us in helping to stop Governor Abbott’s campaign against trans youth in Texas, please join The Trevor Project in sending messages to Texas officials here.??

Affirming care saves lives.?