The Trevor Project Study on Diversity of Nonbinary Youth

On July 13, 2021, the Trevor Project released a new study regarding nonbinary youth. The study goes into depth regarding how many youths within the LGBTQ community identify as nonbinary, what pronouns they use, and the effects of using the correct name and pronouns on the mental health of trans and nonbinary youth.

One in four (26 percent) of young people surveyed within the LGBTQ community identified as nonbinary. Additionally, 20 percent reported that they are not sure or are questioning if they identify as nonbinary. Despite nonbinary being described under the umbrella term of “transgender,” only 50 percent of nonbinary youth also identified as transgender. The study goes further into depth about the specific labels nonbinary people use to describe their gender identity as well as their sexuality, including but not limited to; queer, genderqueer, gender-nonconforming, agender, bisexual, pansexual, lesbian, gay, etc.

As the term “nonbinary” can be considered an umbrella term, one’s individual label and identity can look different than the identities of other nonbinary people.

The use of pronouns can also vary from person to person, as only 33 percent use they/them pronouns exclusively. Many also use any combination of pronouns, for example, xe/they/his or any other combination of pronouns and neopronouns.

The study also explains the positive effects on nonbinary youths’ mental health when their names, pronouns, and identities are respected. Youth that had no one respect their identity were 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who had all or most people in their life respect their pronouns and identity. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people, and that number increases exponentially for members of the LGBTQ community. One of the easiest ways to engage in suicide prevention is to respect someone’s name, pronouns, and identity.

Nonbinary people have been around for thousands of years, but now, as there is more access to information about what nonbinary is, more people are beginning to identify that way. In order to progress toward a society where people of all genders and identities are respected and accepted, nonbinary youth need to be protected as well as respected. The Trevor Project provides additional resources for LGBTQ youth as well as Crisis Services programs to help youth 24/7.