Transgender identification drops among college students in recent analysis

A new report has revealed a lot of controversy about campuses and online spaces. According to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, drops in transgender identification are seen among US college students for the first time in several years. His study shows that few young people now identify as transgender, or queer, raising questions about what is changing in youth culture and whether this change will last or end.

Some media outlets have described it as a form of cultural correction, while others see it as part of a larger story of how social pressures, politics, and even testing methods influence how people defend themselves. The result is a synthesis of ideas that show that today’s identity is indeed complex.

The report that started the discussion

Kaufmann’s latest analysis, published in the Center for Heterodox Studies, looks at College Survey data from 2022 to 2025. He testified that there is a clear decline in student diversity among younger students. The report also links this decline to better mental health in campuses, meaning that as the number of students identifying as transgender or queer has decreased, reports of depression and anxiety are also lower.

Stores like Deseret News and A laptop He quickly picked up the findings. They suggested that maybe young people find labels again or just feel the need to explain openly. Newsweek even summed it up when it said that young Americans are identifying as gay again.

But these ideas are not without criticism. Some researchers say that the data Kaufmann used may not represent all students well, which would make it appear that transgender-identified drops are occurring when it may be a matter of sample selection.

What the numbers really show

Kaufmann’s work relies heavily on fire (individual rights and speech) college surveys, asking students about free speech and social issues. While helpful, it is not nationally representative. Critics, including analysts identified by Suse, say the original data was biased, meaning that certain groups of students who responded more often, such as conservative students, may have influenced the results.

When the researchers adjusted those numbers to match the actual makeup of the student population, the decline largely disappeared. In some cases, the few students who identify as transgender actually turn out to be a small increase. That makes it hard to tell if there is a real change or just statistical bloat.

Still, Kaufmann stands by his findings. He says that even if the surveys are not perfect, they still show a possible direction. But without national data, no one can say for sure whether there is a real decline in transgender testing or just a temporary dip in a few areas.

National research tells another story

While some college surveys show a decline, national data tells a different story. Gallup’s 2025 report showed that 9.3 percent of US adults identified as LGBTQ+ in 2024, the highest number ever recorded. Young adults remain more likely to identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, with a common identity that is more common.

These findings suggest that any change in LGBTQ+ identification among college students has not changed the national trend. Gallup’s data, which goes back more than a decade, still shows growth instead of decline.

So it is possible that both things are true. Some campuses may see temporary drops in gender diversity, while a larger number continue to grow in LGBTQ+ visibility. The opposite reminds us that changing the identity of the identity is very dependent on the context and the methods used to measure it.

Why Valuing Ownership Is Complicated

Gender and sexuality are personal, and surveys can only take so much. The researchers say small differences in the way the questions are worded can change the answers. When the surveys include the most included options, such as lyfluid, quer, or two-air, many people point outside the traditional categories.

Context plays a big role, too. Some students may not teach themselves publicly because of social pressure or fear of criticism. Others may simply feel how passionate they are over time. That kind of fluidity is natural, but it makes tracking long-term trends difficult.

Because of these challenges, experts say the decline in transgender identification on a few campuses should not be automatically seen as evidence of a changing trend. They may reflect differences in comfort levels or the current political climate.

The Mental Health Controversy

Kaufmann’s report also links a decline in gender identity to better mental health. It suggests that as fewer students identify as transgender or queer, rates of anxiety and depression have decreased slightly.

But many mental health professionals disagree. Data from the Trevor Project and other research groups show that LGBTQ+ youth still face high levels of stress and emotional distress. This is especially true in states where there are new laws limiting gender mainstreaming or limiting gender identity discussions in schools.

The truth may depend on which party you look at. Studies of all students may show improvements in social well-being, but LGBTQ-specific studies often show the opposite. This means that ratings can sometimes mask the struggles of smaller, more vulnerable groups.

Social and political situation

Between 2023 and 2025, gender identity becomes a major political and cultural topic. Many nations have passed or negotiated laws on participation in sports, use of pronouns and gender-affirmed care.

In that kind of environment, some students may feel safe being open about their sexuality. Others may choose to remain silent to avoid unwanted attention. This can explain why there is a temporary decrease in the physical appearance, even if the inner feeling remains the same.

At the same time, representation continues to grow in the media and workplaces. Many public figures now openly identify as LGBTQ+, promoting acceptance. The combination of visibility and backlash makes it difficult to draw simple conclusions about why transgender identification drops in some areas while rising in others.

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Critics questioned the interpretation

Not everyone agrees with Kaufmann’s take. Reviewers interviewed .Criticism of course design and how it is presented. They said it was more likely to be used to support a political narrative than to promote honest dialogue. They also pointed out that calling for small changes reduced or reduced the results.

Still, some researchers think it’s worth studying shifts in how people identify it. They argue that culture changes over time, and every generation reflects how it understands gender and sexuality. So even if the data is disputed, asking the question is important.

Both sides agree that clear and representative data is important. Without it, the lessons can be easily read or applied well, responding to careful research in the areas of political discourse.

What to watch next

Experts are waiting for more evidence. Gallup, the CDC’s youth behavior survey, and the UCLA Williams Institute will all release new reports soon. If they confirm the decline, it may suggest a real adjustment in how young people think about sex. But if the numbers continue to rise, it will show that the latest college data is showing short-term change.

Either way, these findings have opened up an important discussion. They show how social conditions change and how those changes affect self-definition.

Closing thoughts

The recent claim that transgender identity has declined among college students has drawn both curiosity and criticism. Kaufmann’s report points to a possible cultural shift, but broader data, such as Gallup’s, still show growth in LGBTQ+.

Both sides have valid points. College culture and national contexts don’t always go hand in hand. Identity is flexible, subjective, and multidimensional.

With so much data available, it’s important to stay focused on facts, not politics. Understanding these patterns with care can help create more Everons that support all students, whether they identify as transgender, cisgender, or somewhere in between.

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