Characteristics of gender minority youth in Canada, 15–17 years of age, by gender identity disclosure patterns to parents and teachers: A descriptive study in response to anti-trans legislation.

The article focuses on the impact of recent Canadian laws restricting transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) youth's ability to disclose and affirm their gender identity in schools without parental consent. Analysis of the 2022 Understanding Affirming Communities, Relationships, and Networks (UnACoRN) survey of Canadian TGE students aged 15–17 reveals that 25% had disclosed their gender identity to teachers but not to parents, with this group including a higher proportion of youth assigned male at birth, identifying as non-binary or unsure, and from racialized or immigrant families. The findings highlight the critical role of schools as safe spaces for TGE youth and raise concerns that policies mandating parental consent may force involuntary disclosure to potentially unsupportive caregivers, risking youth well-being. Despite high levels of mental health challenges across all participants, the study underscores the importance of supporting youth agency in disclosure decisions and culturally safe, affirming environments to promote TGE youth mental health and safety.