Supporting Trans and Nonbinary Kids at School
By Juliann Carey
When kids come out as trans or gender nonbinary, expressing their identity at school is often one of the biggest challenges. Parents can do a lot to make the transition easier, both by providing emotional support and by helping kids navigate school rules and relationships with teachers and peers.
This support — both at home and at school — is essential to the mental health of trans and nonbinary kids. Parents can be especially helpful to their kids when it comes to advocating for themselves at school — letting their teachers know everything from what name and pronouns they want to use to where they feel most comfortable changing for gym.
Several studies, including the 2022 Trevor Project poll, have shown that when trans and nonbinary kids don’t have parents who advocate for them at school and don’t go to schools that promote a gender-affirming environment, they are at a high risk for developing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even attempting suicide. And kids 13–17 are at a higher risk than older teens and college-aged kids.
