For Transgender Visibility Day 2025, we look at how widespread transphobia affects young people’s mental health and can potentially make them seek validation and security from unknowing predators. 

Being transgender is not a mental illness. But transgender people are disproportionately affected by mental health difficulties due to widespread and deeply entrenched transphobia in many aspects of society, including schools, families and workplaces. Being on the receiving end of constant hate and judgement often leads to isolation and loneliness. 

Our education system isn’t educating our youth around gender identity or helping them to belong. The UK government’s National LBGBT Survey 2018 found that only 9% of 16-17 year olds felt discussions at school had prepared them well for later life as an LGBT person. So where do our young trans people find out more about their gender identity and navigating their lives?  

We’re more online than ever; wherever you might be, we can be connected to anyone and everyone’s opinions, whether you’re looking for them or not. TransActual’s Trans lives survey 2021: Enduring the UK’s hostile environment reported that 99% of trans people have experienced transphobia on social media and over 70% saying media transphobia impacted their mental health, what does this mean for young trans people? 

“Transphobia and a lack of education around gender identity leads young people to question their identity and to seek the support they need online. With this, perpetrators will often seek out young people with vulnerabilities, such as transgender young people who are isolated.” – Esme, Sexual Exploitation Specialist (LGBTQ+ & 16) at Basis Yorkshire 

Young trans people seek out support from communities online, looking for acceptance and validation, and hoping to find community and make friends. But this opens them up to the dangerous potential of them being exploited by perpetrators. Knowing that trans youth are more likely to be isolated, perpetrators identify them as vulnerable and use this to groom them. 

“Perpetrators may pose as someone with a similar experience which causes the young person to trust the person they are speaking to, and this starts the grooming process.”– Esme, Sexual Exploitation Specialist (LGBTQ+ & 16) at Basis Yorkshire 

At Basis Yorkshire, we support young people who are experiencing, or have experienced, a form of abuse where they are tricked, bribed or seduced into some form of sexual activity, sometimes without even realising it.  This is called child sexual exploitation. It can happen to young people of any age and any gender.  

“You deserve to feel safe and heard. This Trans Visibility Day, we affirm that you are not alone, and we are here to support you as you navigate through your experiences, embrace your identity, and seek to heal/cope with your trauma.” – Esme, Sexual Exploitation Specialist (LGBTQ+ & 16) at Basis Yorkshire 

At Basis Yorkshire we’re proud of our commitment to creating spaces of refuge where young LGBTQ+ people can feel comfortable, supported and heard. 

We run dedicated youth groups for those ages 15-25 who have experienced or are at risk of child sexual abuse/exploitation. 

If you or a young person you know would benefit from support around experience or risk of sexual exploitation, please contact us: 
0113 243 0036 or Esme.Bradley@basisyorkshire.org.uk for referrals. 

Find out more about our Young People team.