Trans happiness falls by over 50 per cent in a decade in Scotland
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An in-depth investigation into the happiness of trans youth in Scotland has revealed a concerning trend of declining well-being over the past decade. According to a report by LGBT Youth Scotland, the general happiness among trans young people in the region has dropped by a staggering 50 per cent since 2012.
The survey, which included over 1,200 LGBTQ+ individuals aged 13-25, asked participants how happy they felt with their lives as LGBTQ+ young people in Scotland. The results showed a significant decrease in happiness levels among trans respondents, with only 28 per cent reporting feeling “Happy” or “Very happy” in 2022, compared to 59 per cent in 2012.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the challenges faced by trans youth in finding safe spaces to socialize in their home towns. Only one in three trans individuals (31 per cent) felt that their home town provided a safe enough environment for social activities.
The findings of the report shed light on the systemic and societal issues that contribute to the decline in happiness among trans youth in Scotland. One survey respondent highlighted the lack of full societal acceptance as a major obstacle to feeling safe in public spaces.
In addition to sharing eye-opening statistics, the report also put forth a range of recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges faced by trans youth in Scotland. These recommendations include calls for immediate action to safeguard the rights and well-being of trans young people in the region.
The report also called for increased support and protection for trans individuals, as hate crimes against this community have been on the rise in Scotland. According to a hate crime report from the Crown Office, there were at least 55 reported hate crimes against trans people in 2022-23, with a further 86 reports in 2021-22. Despite these figures, only 12 per cent of Scottish trans youth said they would feel safe reporting a hate crime to the police.
Dr. Mhairi Crawford, the chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the challenges faced by trans youth in Scotland. She called on the Scottish Government and other public bodies to take the report seriously and implement measures to support and protect trans young people.
Among the recommendations outlined in the report are calls for police services to conduct impact reviews to better understand how to protect trans individuals and for Police Scotland to issue an official apology for historic homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. The report also urges the NHS to update national guidance to provide clear timelines for treatment for patients on waiting lists, which currently range from two to five years.
In conclusion, the report paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by trans youth in Scotland and calls for immediate action to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for this vulnerable community. It is essential that policymakers, public bodies, and society as a whole take heed of these recommendations and work towards creating a better future for all LGBTQ+ individuals in Scotland.
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