Advocacy groups detail mental health struggles of LGBTQ Iowans

Описание: LGBTQ people across the country have struggled with their mental health for years, and Iowa is no exception. However, advocates are concerned that here in The Hawkeye State, the problem may be getting worse.

According to The Trevor Project, 42% of LGBTQ youth have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows.

Among transgender adults, that rate is even higher, at four times more likely.

"It's not because of somebody's identity that they are experiencing these things. It is because of the pervasive ongoing discrimination that they face on a near-daily basis. And even more so for our trans siblings," said Keenan Crow, Director of Policy and Advocacy with One Iowa.

The Iowa House on Monday passed House File 2416, which would bar transgender girls from playing sports on girls' teams. Advocates are worried that passage may be causing even more difficulties for an already-marginalized group.

"This is exactly why members of our community tend to have negative outcomes both in life and especially mental health," said Damian Thompson, Director of Public Policy & Communications for Iowa Safe Schools.

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