The unfortunate hardships of

transgender people
By: Ashley OBerry, February 9, 2017
COMM331

In Kent, Connecticut, Emelia Worth took her life on Saturday, January 28. Worth was a
transgender teenager who had told her close friends about her gender identity in the fall. In an
article from The (Danbury) News-Times, Worth spoke to her fellow students and faculty
members at her private school Kent School to speak about her identity and because she was
sure other students were hurting as well.

Emelia Worth is not the first transgender teen to commit suicide. In a recent study by the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Williams Institute, 46 percent of trans men
and 42 percent of trans women have attempted suicide.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union ,out of all 50 states, Maryland is among 17 other
states that prohibit discrimination against transgender people. Some places have gone even
further to create spaces where transgender students can feel more comfortable. At the
University of Maryland, for one, there are gender neutral bathrooms in the Stamp Student Union
and many other on-campus locations for transgender students.

However, in an article from the University of Maryland newspaper The Diamondback,

transgender students dont agree with the idea that the University of Maryland is ranked as a top
LGBT-friendly campus. Many transgender students stated they face discrimination from their
teachers and students.

According to director Luke Jensen, the universitys LGBT Equity center is aware that our trans
students have a tough time on-campus in many places [and] were doing everything that we can
but its clearly insufficient stated director Luke Jensen in an article.

In order to prevent more transgender people from hurting themselves, it is important to take
action. This includes being more welcoming, using the accurate pronouns, and making them
feel they exist in a comfortable environment. What happened to Emelia Worth and to the many
other transgender teens that have committed suicide is unfortunate. It is time to decrease these
statistics and increase the wellbeing of transgender people everywhere. Why not start here, at
the University of Maryland.
###