Transgender Bathroom Talking Points.pdf

Restricting bathroom access to transgender students has detrimental effects, including a greater risk of sexual assault, negative mental health outcomes, impeded educational functioning, and threatened physical safety. A 2019 study found that transgender and gender-nonbinary teens face a greater risk of sexual assault in schools that prevent them from using bathrooms or locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. Transgender girls had 2.5x the assault risk when they had to use restrooms and locker rooms for boys than trans girls whose restroom use was unrestricted.

Restrictions on bathroom access also lead to negative mental health outcomes, with 85% of transgender and gender-nonbinary youths reporting depressive moods, and 60% seriously considering suicide. The American Medical Association points out that exclusionary policies force transgender students to decide whether to violate the policy, use a bathroom that doesn’t match their identity, use a special bathroom that isolates and “outs” them, or not use any restroom at all, making it difficult to concentrate and focus on school.

It is a myth that non-discriminatory bathroom policies increase the danger to girls and women in female-designated bathrooms and locker rooms. Researchers found no empirical evidence that allowing access to toilets conforming to one’s gender identity leads to an increase in sex crimes. Good policy says that allowing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity is medically and mentally healthier and physically safer for transgender students.