- What does GLBTQ stand for?
- What are some other terms I may want to familiarize myself with?
- Why are GLBTQ youth more at risk for suicide (suicide attempts)?
- Is there an increased risk for suicide because of bullying behavior?
- Are the signs of depression or suicidal behavior different in GLBTQ youth vs. adolescents in general?
- Is there a difference in suicide attempts for those who have "come out" versus those who haven't?
- How many kids in my community might be GLBTQ? Of those, how many might be at risk for suicide?
- How do we help support GLBTQ youth in our communities?
Gay –
A male with romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to males; also used as an 'umbrella' term
Lesbian –
A
female with romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to females
Bisexual –
Someone with romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to both males and females
Transgender –
An 'umbrella' term to describe different types of gender identity - one’s sense that they are outside the boundaries of biological sex and don’t necessarily conform to societal gender norms usually associated with male and female; includes people who are homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual
Questioning –
Any person who is questioning their own sexual orientation and/or gender identity
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2. What are some other terms I may want to familiarize myself with?
Ally -
A non-GLBTQ identified person who actively supports the rights of GLBTQ people and works to reduce heterosexism and transgender discrimination
Gender Identity -
One’s sense of self as male or female, or somewhere between or outside traditional gender roles
Heterosexism -
Bias against non-heterosexuals, based on the belief that everyone is or should be heterosexual or that homosexuality is abnormal or wrong
Homosexuality -
Romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to members of the same sex
Sexual Orientation -
A person’s romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction towards males, females, or both
Homophobia -
Fear of or contempt for GLBTQ individuals
Coming Out (of the closet) -
Voluntary announcement of one's (primarily homosexual or bisexual) sexual orientation or gender identity - this happens at different times throughout one’s life and can be a continuous experience
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3. Why are GLBTQ youth more at risk for suicide (suicide attempts)?
GLBTQ youth may also be at an increased risk for suicide ideation and/or attempts due to an increased occurrence of risk factors that occur in their “straight” peer’s lives and additional factors such as: gender nonconformity, coming out: early or not coming out to anyone, homophobia/transphobia, internalized homophobia/transphobiainternal conflict, heterosexism, inaccessible GLBTQ friendly service providers.
4. Is there an increased risk for suicide because of bullying behavior?
Yes; being a victim, perpetrator or even a witness to bullying has been associated with multiple behavioral, emotional, and social problems, including an increased risk for suicidal ideation.
Learn more about the negative effects of bullying
5. Are the signs of depression or suicidal behavior different in GLBTQ youth vs. adolescents in general?
The signs are the same, but statistics show that the risk is higher so we must be aware of that risk. They key is that GLBTQ youth have proven quite resilient and not all of them suffer from severe depression and/or suicidal ideation. The risk is there, though, just as in any youth
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6. Is there a difference in suicide attempts for those who have "come out" versus those who haven't?
Studies have shown that the highest risk for GLBTQ youth is when they come out at an early age-this may be due to homophobia and negative coming out experiences.
Additionally, when they don’t come out to anyone at all. This may cause internalized homophobia/transphobia, fear of rejection, and low self esteem.
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7. How many kids in my community might be GLBTQ? Of those, how many might be at risk for suicide?
Statistics from multiple studies show that 4.5% of youth identify as GLBT in high school and an additional 4.5% identify as Questioning. So, we’re looking at about 9% (this number may be low due to issues with self reporting). Other studies have shown that 20-40% of GLBTQ youth report having suicidal thoughts (average of 45%) and/or attempts (average of 35%).
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8. How do we help support GLBTQ youth in our communities? (For more information, please see our Resources page)
Safe schools are an important protective factor for GLBTQ youth
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GLBTQ students are victimized and often faculty and staff do not intervene
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Strategies: Train faculty & staff, and students, establish clear school policies, hire GLBTQ staff and include GLBTQ curricular content. Use the umbrella of cultural competence and civil rights
- Teachers: identify self as Ally (or GLBTQ if that applies) or as GLBTQ
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Mental Health & Social Services:
Many providers lack knowledge, are unaware of heterosexism, and are demeaning to GLBTQ clients
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Low provider awareness of transgender issues
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GLBTQ youth with negative provider experiences may feel discouraged from further help-seeking and disclosure
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Important to include family if they are safe
- Strategies: Play advocacy role, train staff, provide confidentiality safeguards, and establish service space that reflects support and inclusion
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Social Work:
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Develop GLBTQ knowledge and provide accurate education information;
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Assess the degree of GLBTQ identity development;
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Assess for safety keeping in mind GLBTQ risk for suicide and risk factors;
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Keep in mind the diversity across and within sexual minority groups;
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Assess and respect youth’s decision about disclosing to others; and
- Advocate, including developing GLBTQ-inclusive programs such as support groups, educational programs for youth and their families, and especially more supportive schools.
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Healthcare Providers:
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Health providers lack training in adolescent development, sexual orientation, and gender identity
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Many youth seek help for emotional problems from their PCP
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Some GLBTQ report hostility and disgust from providers. Some GLBTQ refuse to get care based on negative experiences.
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Primary care access is an issue for youth generally – the most uninsured and underserved of all age groups
- Strategies: Provide accurate information on sex and gender for patients, create a welcoming office, review intake forms for GLBTQ inclusion, and assess the practice with one of the tools below.
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Families:
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Unconditional acceptance of your child’s identity and identity of all youth
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Educate yourself and family members about GLBTQ issues
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Attend support group meetings such as PFLAG (parents & families of lesbians and gays)
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Ensure that your child’s schools is safe and welcoming
- Maintain confidentiality - let the child decide when and to whom they will “come out”
