One of the report's co-authors refutes the idea of "social contagion" highlighted by several observers, believing that "this growth rather reflects an environment where it is finally possible to be oneself."

"Social contagion" or the result of "an environment where it is finally possible to be oneself"? In the United States, more than 2.8 million people now identify as transgender, including approximately 724,000 young people aged 13 to 17, according to a large and unprecedented study conducted by researchers at the Williams Institute at the University of California.

The study, relayed by our British colleagues at the Guardian, is based on data from American health agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and on the results of surveys distributed throughout the country. It reveals that 1% of the American population aged 13 and over identifies as transgender, or 0.8% of adults (more than 2.1 million people) and 3.3% of young people aged 13 to 17 (around 724,000 people). "Young adults aged 18 to 24 are significantly more likely to identify as trans (2.72%) than those aged 35 to 64 (0.42%) or 65 and over (0.26%)," it reads.

33% non-binary

Of the 2.1 million transgender adults, 32.7% (698,500) are transgender women, 34.2% (730,500) are transgender men, and 33.1% (707,100) identify as nonbinary transgender. Minnesota has the highest rate among adults (1.2%), and Hawaii has the highest rate among youth (3.6%).

“Trans people live everywhere and are represented in every state,” said Jody Herman, lead researcher and report co-author. “This is a large population with unique needs and barriers. Policymakers must take this into account.”

According to Andrew Flores, another co-author of the report, several factors explain this trend among young people, including a greater propensity to answer these types of questions. "Young people are growing up in an environment where their peers are already more open towards LGBT and trans people. They therefore feel freer and safer to assert their identity." She refutes the idea of "social contagion" pointed out by several observers, believing that "this growth rather reflects an environment where it is finally possible to be yourself."

Since 2011, the Williams Institute has published national estimates of the transgender population. These estimates were cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in its decision upholding Tennessee's ban on transgender youth care.