The latest state to launch an assault on trans and queer people is Indiana, where there are a number of bills in the works that seek to ostracize and isolate LGBTQ+ folks, including youth. HB 1608 is a copycat of Florida’s horrific Don’t Say Gay bill. SB 354 essentially “outs” LGBTQ+ students to their parents or guardians if they share any “conflicted feelings” about their gender identity or expression with public school staff. In addition, SB 413 mandates that schools must allow parents to access school records, basically ensuring that students no longer feel comfortable coming “out” to teachers, coaches, or other hypothetically trusted adults in their school-related life.
If this sounds like an intentional assault on all sides, that’s because it is. These attacks are coordinated efforts to keep both adults and young people in the closet and away from living publicly and authentically. If students don't feel safe coming out at home—for fear of becoming homeless, abuse, retaliation, or any other reason—and don’t feel safe coming out to trusted adults at school, what are they supposed to do?
Sure, the internet and community spaces can be lifelines, but they can also be dangerous, especially if the person is not yet 18. Young people deserve safe, accessible care and support to be who they are and thrive as themselves. It’s incredibly damaging mentally and emotionally to be stuck in the closet, and we can’t be surprised if vulnerable queer kids lie, hide, or regress in order to cope with such despair and humiliation.
Trans youth already report disproportionately high levels of leaving school without a diploma and becoming unhoused. Those alone are very, very scary experiences that can have life-long effects. But we cannot fault young people for making these “choices” when they’re essentially forced into them. We need to support young people, not shove them into darkness.
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