LGBTQ GenSex Resource
Did you know that Natick High School LGBTQ+ students are:
Over twice as likely to report depressive symptoms
Over 3 times more likely to self-injure (i.e. cut) themselves
Over 6 times more likely to have had a suicide attempt requiring medical intervention
Did you know that Massachusetts MetroWest LGBTQ+ youth are:
Over twice as likely to have begun drinking alcohol before turning 13 years old.
Over 5 times more likely to have skipped school in the past month because of feeling unsafe.
Over 8 times more likely to have had a suicide attempt requiring medical attention.
Over 9 times more likely to have been verbally harassed or assaulted on school grounds.
Over 9 times more likely to have used heroin one or more times during their life.
Did you know that for LGBTQ+ youth in Massachusetts schools:
59% were not taught anything positive about LGBTQ people in their classrooms
74% regularly heard the word gay used in a negative way, such as “that’s so gay”
76% attended a school that did not have comprehensive anti-bullying policies, i.e. including specific protections for sexual orientation and gender identity
87% regularly heard negative remarks about gender expression
Did you know that LGBTQ+ youth whose parents were highly rejecting of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, were:
Over 8 times as likely to have committed suicide
Over 6 times as likely to have high levels of depression
Over 3 times as likely to be at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases
Over 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs
GLSEN surveys the school experiences of LGBTQ+ students, nationally and by state. Their research shows that most LGBTQ+ youth experience pervasive harassment and discrimination in their schools. However, the research also demonstrates that specific school-based supports can make a difference in providing a safer and more inclusive school environment.
Check out the latest statistics here: GLSEN’s 2019 National School Climate Survey.
The Family Acceptance Project of San Francisco State University, led this community initiative studying the effects of a family’s acceptance of their LGBTQ+ youth. Their research includes multiple, in-depth interviews with LGBTQ+ youth and their families and found that even a small amount of parental support made significant differences in the health and well-being of their LGBTQ+ child.
They identified a range of parent reactions when learning their child was LGBTQ+:
30% were rejecting (highly and moderately rejecting)
50% were ambivalent
17% were accepting
3% were celebratory
LGBTQ+ youth of even moderately rejecting parents had lower levels of depression/suicide attempts than those with highly rejecting parents, while illegal drug use and risk for HIV/STD’s was cut in half.
Family Acceptance Project research, click here for more information.