Experiences with Violence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and those who are questioning their sexual orientation are happy and thrive during their adolescent years. Going to a school that has created a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and having caring and accepting parents are especially important. This helps all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some LGBT youth face greater difficulties in their lives and school environments compared to their heterosexual peers, such as experiencing violence.

Experiences with Violence

Negative attitudes toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people put LGBT youth at increased risk for violence compared to other students [1]. Violence can include behaviors such as bullying, teasing, harassment, physical assault, and suicide-related behaviors.
A 2009 survey* of more than 7,000 LGBT middle and high school students (aged 13-21) found that in the past year, because of their sexual orientation–

• Eight in ten had been verbally harassed at school
• Four in ten had been physically harassed at school
• Six in ten felt unsafe at school, and
• One in five had been the victim of a physical assault at school [2].

*Survey participants were recruited online and through community-based groups and service organizations serving LGBT youth.

Unfortunately, these types of experiences with violence also occur outside of school and may continue into young adulthood. A study published in 2004 looked at discrimination and violence among young gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 27 and found that 37% had been harassed and 5% had experienced physical violence in the past six months because of their sexual orientation [3].
More resources for LGBT youth and their friends

Effects on Education and Health

Violence experienced by LGBT youth has negative effects on their education and on their health. In 2009, almost 1 in 3 LGBT students ages 13 to 21 responding to a survey reported that they had missed at least one day of school in the past month because they were concerned about their safety [2]. LGBT youth who experience more frequent harassment perform lower in school by almost half a grade point compared to their non-LGBT peers who experience less frequent or no harassment (grade-point average of 2.7 for frequently harassed students versus 3.1 for other students) [2].
Overall, the stresses experienced by LGBT youth and those who are questioning their sexual orientation or LGBTQ also put them at greater risk for mental health problems, substance use, and physical health problems [4].

What Schools Can Do

Schools that have clear policies, procedures and activities designed to prevent bullying and have supportive staff and student organizations can be effective in reducing verbal and physical harassment. These kinds of positive school climates are associated with reduced suicide risk and better mental health among LGBT students [5,6].  For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Schools, communities, parents, and youth have a role to play in building positive, supportive, and healthy environments for youth. Such environments promote acceptance and respect and help youth feel valued [7].
 
To help promote health and safety among LGBTQ youth, schools can implement the following policies and practices:

• Prohibit bullying, harassment, and violence against all students.
• Identify “safe spaces,” such as counselors’ offices, designated classrooms, or student organizations, where LGBTQ youth can receive support from administrators, teachers, or other school staff.
• Ensure that health curricula or educational materials include HIV, other STD, or pregnancy prevention information that is relevant to LGBTQ youth (such as ensuring that curricula or materials use inclusive language or terminology).
• Encourage school district and school staff to develop and publicize trainings on how to create safe and supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and encourage staff to attend these trainings.
• Facilitate access to community-based providers who have experience providing health services, including HIV/STD testing and counseling, to LGBTQ youth.
• Facilitate access to community-based providers who have experience in providing social and psychological services to LGBTQ youth.

More resources for educators and school administrators

What Parents Can Do

How parents respond to their child who is LGBTQ  can have a tremendous impact on their child’s current and future mental and physical health [1,6,7]. Supportive reactions can help youth cope with the challenges of being an LGBTQ teen. However, some parents react negatively to learning that they may have an LGBTQ daughter or son. In some cases, children are thrown out of the house or stress and conflict at home can cause some youth to run away. As a result, LGBT youth are at greater risk for homelessness than their heterosexual peers [1].
Even less severe reactions can have long-lasting negative effects. Research published in the journal Pediatrics found significantly higher rates of mental and physical health problems among LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection from their parents while they were adolescents [7]. Compared with LGBT young adults who experienced very little or no parental rejection, LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection were:

• Nearly 6 times as likely to have high levels of depression
• More than 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide
• More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs, and
• More than 3 times as likely to engage in unprotected sexual behaviors that put them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Listening to and supporting your LGBTQ child are some of the most important things parents can do. The resources provided below can help parents better understand and respond to the needs of LGBTQ adolescents and young adults.
More resources for parents

References

1. Coker TR, Austin SB, Schuster MA. The health and health care of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents. Annual Review of Public Health 2010;31:457-477.
2. Kosciw JG, Greytak EA, Diaz EM, Bartkiewicz MJ. The 2009 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools. New York: Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network; 2010. Available at: http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/000/001/1675-5.PDF .
3. Huebner DM, Rebchook GM, Kegeles SM. Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men. American Journal of Public Health 2004;94:1200-1203.
4. Russell ST, Joyner K. Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health 2001;91:1276-1281.
5. Eisenberg ME, Resnick MD. Suicidality among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth: The role of protective factors. Journal of Adolescent Health 2006;39:662-668.
6. Espelage DL, Aragon SR, Birkett M. Homophobic teasing, psychological outcomes, and sexual orientation among high school students: What influence do parents and schools have? School Psychology Review. 2008;37:202-216.8. FindYouthInfo.gov [Internet]. Bullyinfo.org Bullying Prevention and Response. [cited 2010 Nov 29]. Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs; [1 screen]. http://www.findyouthinfo.org/topic_bullying.shtml
7. Ryan C, Huebner D, Diaz RM, Sanchez J. Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics 2009;123:346-352.