A new study on trans and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents has found that those who participate in sports have better mental health than those who dont. The study, conducted by Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago, the University of Minnesota, and Northwestern University, examined associatons between participation in sports and depression and anxiety symptoms and also took into account social positions and experiences of bias-based bullying specific to sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Related Support for trans sports participation dropped since states started passing sports bans While Democrats remain more supportive of trans people, support for trans sports participation has dropped since 2021. More than 10,000 TGD eighth, ninth, and 11th graders completed a survey, which led researchers to find that participating in sports was significantly associated with lower prevalences of elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms, including for those who experience bias-based bullying. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The study comes as twenty-nine states currently have laws or policies on the books that ban trans youth from playing sports consistent with their gender identity (with an injunction currently blocking enforcement of part or all of the ban in five of those states).Additionally, the president signed an executive order dictating a national banon transgender student-athletes in sports, along with another declaring there are only two immutable sexes. He has also called for all trans student-athletesto be strippedof their records and titles.The studys co-author, Sarah Kaja, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, said the results confirm that anti-trans sports bans could have disastrous consequences.Minnesota has protected participation on teams consistent with students gender identities since [the 2015-2016 school year], pursuant to our states human rights act, Kaja told Advocate. However, even in our state with more protective policies, trans and gender-diverse teens need more support to play sports and be physically active not less. As a lifelong female athlete who has played on girls, womens, and mixed-gender teams, I understand concerns of fairness and safety, Kaja added. However, the best available public health evidence from our lab and others suggests that across-the-board bans on trans girls and gender-diverse youth would be detrimental to adolescent health by further limiting participation and therefore exacerbating mental health concerns. If our goal is to improve adolescent mental health for all youth, expanding access to sports makes sense.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.