A recent study indicates that nearly 3 million Americans, including 1 in 30 teens (ages 13-17), identify as transgender. However, the report’s authors caution that access to data about the transgender community in the U.S. may become increasingly difficult due to efforts by the Trump Administration and Republican-led states to limit the recognition and rights of transgender individuals.
The UCLA Williams Institute has been publishing reports on transgender Americans since 2011, tracking demographics such as race, ethnicity, age, location, and mental health.
The institute’s latest report reveals that transgender adults and youth comprise 1% of Americans aged 13 and older, and 3.3% of those aged 13 to 17. The study also found that younger adults (18-34) are more likely to identify as transgender, representing over half of the country’s transgender population.
The initial 2011 report relied on only two state-level surveys. Since then, researchers have gained access to more comprehensive data through the CDC. The most recent findings are based on data from the CDC’s 2021-2023 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2021 and 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The report emphasizes that the Youth Risk Behavior Survey currently offers the best available data for estimating the size and characteristics of the transgender youth population in the U.S.
However, the agency may cease collecting data on transgender people due to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, which seeks federal recognition of only two biological sexes.
Since Trump’s return to office in January, information related to LGBTQ+ people has been quietly removed or altered on federal websites. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has shifted away from supporting gender-affirming care, despite endorsements from major medical associations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which consider such care best practice. HHS has suggested “exploratory therapy” or psychotherapy as alternatives to medically recommended care for individuals with gender dysphoria.
Numerous states have also attempted to restrict access to gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, as part of broader global efforts targeting such care for trans youth. A June court decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for youth has dealt a significant blow to the U.S. LGBTQ+ community. This ruling sets a precedent for similar bans across the country, creating a major hurdle for future legal challenges to these restrictions.
The authors of the Williams Institute report express concern that the current political climate may affect survey respondents’ willingness to accurately disclose their gender identity. They state that both the future of data collection on the U.S. transgender population and individuals’ openness to identifying as transgender on surveys are uncertain.
Despite these challenges, the authors emphasize that younger people are more likely to identify as transgender, a trend they expect to continue.
They conclude that these trends have significant implications for various institutions, including schools, the military, workplaces, and healthcare settings, requiring them to adapt and provide appropriate support and opportunities for current and future generations.