Showing Up for Trans Youth: What Allyship Looks Like in Action
Surviving the teenage years is never a simple experience. Amid hormones, social dynamics, internal pressures, and external influences, youth in America face numerous challenges, stressors, and moments of turmoil. For transgender teens, these experiences are amplified due to their identity and the cultural stigma surrounding their existence. Recent studies indicate that 74% of trans and non-binary individuals experience bullying or adverse experiences due to their identity, compared to about 33% of their cisgender peers. The internalization of hurtful rhetoric, from peers and adults alike, poses a significant threat to the mental health and well-being of trans young people. Compounding this is the fact that many of these youth are unable to access affirming healthcare, resulting in profound impacts on both their mental and physical well-being.
As the parent of a transgender youth and a community advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, I have seen my resilient child, and many others like them, navigate the barriers and emotional weight of living in a world that does not fully understand them. The psychological toll of consistent misgendering, politically charged discussions of their identity, and the burden of bullying, slurs, and legal threats to their humanity is significant. Mental health crises, including suicidality, present unique challenges for the trans community, as not all crisis intervention spaces are inclusive or affirming. As a result, even in their darkest moments, many are met with ignorance, barriers to care, and increased experiences of gender dysphoria, rather than understanding, resources, and support.
Access to affirming, supportive mental health care is one of the most urgent needs for trans youth today. Nearly 54% of trans and non-binary teens in Oregon experience suicidal ideation, and LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. Rates of teen suicide and mental health crises are rising overall. Financial constraints affecting marginalized, community-based services have significantly reduced the availability of inclusive resources, and additional threats continue to emerge. We see the need. Both the data and lived experiences of trans teens highlight clear gaps in support and call for change. So where can that change begin? With each of us.
Educate yourself and others. Education holds tremendous power in countering ignorance. Ensure that the content you engage with, whether on social media, in print, through music, or in art, includes trans, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ voices. Expanding our perspectives strengthens our ability to understand experiences beyond our own. While we learn most deeply from those with lived experience, it is never their obligation to educate others. It is our responsibility to seek out that knowledge. By taking action to better understand trans and non-binary experiences, we give substance to our words of support. Knowledge equips us to challenge anti-trans rhetoric and build meaningful allyship with a community that is at significant risk. Local chapters of PFLAG, OFSN’s Rainbow Families Support Group, and a variety of online resources offer accessible opportunities for learning. As we continue this work, it is important to remember that allyship is a journey, not a destination.
Respect individuals’ names and pronouns, and offer your own when appropriate. What may seem like a simple act is a meaningful demonstration of allyship. Sharing your own name and pronouns creates an invitation for others to do the same if they feel safe. Even when not reciprocated, it helps foster a more affirming environment. Using someone’s correct name and pronouns shows respect and supports the development of inclusive relationships. There is no expectation of perfection. When mistakes happen, such as misgendering or deadnaming, respond by thanking the person for the correction, repeating the correct name or pronouns, and moving forward. Lengthy apologies can unintentionally shift focus away from the person who was impacted. Allyship begins with centering those most affected, rather than our own discomfort.
Build safer spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans youth. One statistic that resonates deeply is that the suicide risk for trans or non-binary individuals with at least one supportive person in their life is reduced by 40%. The presence of even one affirming individual can be life-saving. While safety can never be guaranteed, spaces can always be made safer. Resources such as the Safe Zone Project provide guidance for those looking to create supportive environments. Supporting safer spaces can also include contributing to local LGBTQ+ organizations through time, donations, or volunteering. If you are unsure where to begin, connect with a local organization, ask what is needed, and take action. Show up in ways that reflect your skills and capacity. Be part of that 40%.
Advocate for trans rights. As legislative actions increasingly impact access to healthcare, sports participation, and basic rights, allyship calls us to use our voices. Local organizations offer opportunities to learn about advocacy, build skills for engaging with policymakers, and participate in coordinated efforts such as advocacy days at the State Capitol in Salem. Advocacy can take many forms. Sharing credible resources, amplifying trans voices, and engaging in thoughtful conversations within your own circles all contribute to meaningful change. Advocacy is allyship in action. It is a commitment to challenge inequities and create space for all people to belong.
Trans youth deserve to navigate the complexity of adolescence free from external harm, in environments where self-discovery is encouraged, and to enter adulthood supported by their communities. Creating that world begins with each of us. By continuing to educate ourselves, showing respect in everyday interactions, building affirming spaces, and advocating for equitable rights, we contribute to meaningful change. These actions, though they may seem small, have a powerful impact on the lives of young people who deserve joy, belonging, and a sense of normalcy. With awareness comes responsibility. Let us work together to shift the experiences of trans youth from resilience born of hardship to growth rooted in safety and acceptance.
Resources :
Statewide Resources: Oregon LGBTQ+ Resource List
Educate Yourself and Others: Basic Rights Oregon
Respecting Pronouns Gender Confirmation Center
Build Safer Spaces: The Safe Zone Project
Advocate Oregon Department of Justice: Gender-Affirming Resources
Werq Together: Trans Relocation and Resources in Oregon
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Oregon Family Support Network is a statewide organization led by and for families who have children and youth with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. Learn more at ofsn.org