Washington D.C. — On International Pronouns Day, a day that aims to normalize respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns, a new report documents transgender student’s intersectional health disparities. On All Sides: How Race, Ethnicity & Gender Influence Health Risk for Transgender Students of Color was developed in partnership with the All Students Count Coalition, a network of national and state organizations led by Advocates for Youth. 

Available literature details the profound health disparities students of color endure due to social, economic, environmental, and structural disparities. Some literature describes health disparities between transgender and cisgender students due to similar reasons. Yet, limited population-based data focuses exclusively on the health risk behavior and outcomes of transgender students of color. 

“The On All Sides report is being released at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. At a time when transgender people and people of color are fighting for their rights and lives, this report is focused exclusively on the health risks and outcomes of transgender students of color,” said Mary Beth Szydlowski (she/her), Associate Director, Healthy and Supportive Schools, at Advocates for Youth. “We are adding vital data to a research field that is limited, to be used by educators and stakeholders to change programs and policies that impact the school environment and education transgender students of color receive.”

The All Students Count Coalition encourages state and local education agencies to include questions on their Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) about gender expression and transgender status. 

“The value of asking the transgender question on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) continues to manifest with each cycle of implementation,” said Wesley Thomas (he/him), Manager, LGBTQ and Sexual Health Program, at District of Columbia Public Schools ”We are now able to get a full picture of the experiences of our transgender students to provide programming, resources, and training that aide in garnering positive health outcomes.”

The On All Sides: How Race, Ethnicity & Gender Influence Health Risk for Transgender Students of Color report is available for download here, and coalition members will be centering transgender students of color across social channels.  

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