STATS & FACTS

The following is a compilation of research statistics and data, from 2015-2019, from local, regional and national studies comparing LGBTQ+ youth to their heterosexual peers.

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.