YOUTH
Creating a Safer World
for LGBTQ+ Youth to Be—
and Become—Themselves
For many LGBTQ+ young people,
school = fear: Only 26% say they
always feel safe there. More than
50% of transgender youth attempt
suicide after encountering slurs or
violence at school. Yet LGBTQ+ youth
with supportive families have positive
health outcomes including increased
self-esteem and resilience and lower
rates of depression and substance
use. Unfortunately, half of LGBTQ+
youth get a negative reaction from
parents after coming out. (See
Coming Out for more information.)
This is linked to increased depression,
suicidal behavior, substance abuse
and HIV risk. Research suggests that
hostility and abuse from families
also leads to eviction or running
away and a disproportionate number
of these young people experience
homelessness and its attendant
dangers—violent crime, risky
sexual behavior, substance abuse
and mental health problems. (See
Homelessness for more information.)
Only 1 in 4 LGBTQ+
youth report that
they always feel safe
in the classroom.
Half of LGBTQ+
youth experience a
negative reaction
when they come out.
LGBTQ+ youth come out at every age, many before high school.
Public support for the LGBTQ+ community has increased dramatically
over the past decade, yet coming out remains one of the most
emotionally challenging decisions in an LGBTQ+ person’s life, often
leading to rejection, depression and even homelessness.
WHAT MUST BE DONE:
1 2 3
Passage of
comprehensive laws
that address harassment
and/or bullying of
students based on
their sexual orientation
and gender identity.
Access to lowcost
counseling
services for
LGBTQ+ youth,
preferably
within the
school system.
Support from school
administrators to
form Gay/Straight
Alliance clubs in
all middle and
high schools.
MORE
INFO:
Victim Services Center of Central Florida
Joshua Proffi tt
Joshua.Proffi tt@VictimServiceCenter.org
Zebra Coalition
Heather Wilkie
HWilkie@ZebraYouth.org
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