Happy Transgender Day of Visibility! Education is the key to understanding and compassion, and today, we celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of transgender individuals in our communities. We’re grateful to be in a state that upholds strong protections for transgender and nonbinary students, ensuring that all learners, including adult students, have access to safe and inclusive educational environments. 🍁🏳️⚧️🍁
Did you know? According to the Williams Institute, approximately 1% of students aged 18 to 40 enrolled in U.S. educational institutions identify as transgender, equating to around 327,000 individuals. Not only that, but at least 11% of transgender workers are employed in education! Transgender individuals are making an impact in the classroom, whether as students, educators, or advocates for inclusive learning spaces. By fostering environments where everyone can thrive, we strengthen our schools, workplaces, and communities.
Interested in learning more? Explore the statistics below highlighting the experiences of transgender individuals in educational settings:
- Prevalence in High School: In 2023, 3.3% of U.S. high school students identified as transgender, and 2.2% were questioning their gender identity. PubMed
- Bullying and Harassment: Approximately 40% of transgender and gender-questioning high school students reported being bullied at school, nearly double the rate of their cisgender peers. UW-Madison
- Academic Impact: Transgender individuals were three times more likely than their cisgender LGBQ peers to report that adverse treatment at school negatively affected their academic success. The Williams Institute
- Financial Burden: Over half (51%) of transgender students have federal student loans, a higher proportion compared to 33% of cisgender LGBQ and 23% of non-LGBQ individuals. The Williams Institute
- Seeking Support: Transgender students are more likely to seek support from school staff and less likely to seek help from parents or friends compared to their cisgender peers. UW-Madison
These statistics underscore the challenges transgender learners face in educational environments and highlight the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive spaces for all students. Want to take a deeper dive into transgender issues and allyship? Visit our post from last year for a list of local and national resources!