LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER AND QUESTIONING LGBTQ YOUTH

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING (LGBTQ) YOUTH NEEDS AND SERVICES

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL STUDY – JUNE, 2011 • Eight year study that surveyed 156, 000 high school students (including Delaware) • 7. 5% of Delaware students are self-reporting as LGBTQ • LGBTQ Youth are 64% more at risk for depression, suicide and substance abuse not because they are LGBTQ but because of the pressures from society • Additional stressors for LGBTQ Youth include stigma, discrimination, bullying, victimization and family rejection • Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) and anti-bullying policies can have important beneficial mental health consequences

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION NEEDED Effective state and local public health and school health policies and practices should be developed to help reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among sexual minority youth.

GROWING UP LGBT IN AMERICA HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) YOUTH SURVEY REPORT – KEY FINDINGS • Non-LGBT youth (67%) are nearly twice as likely as LGBT youth (37%) to say they are happy. • LGBT youth (29%) are more likely than non-LGBT youth (17%) to report that they do not have an adult they can talk to about personal problems. • LGBT youth (52%) are more than twice as likely as non. LGBT youth (22%) to experiment with alcohol and drugs. • 73% of LGBT youth say they are more honest about themselves online than in the real world, compared to 43% among non-LGBT youth.

GROWING UP LGBT IN AMERICA HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) Biggest Problems Among those asked to describe the most important problems facing their lives right now: • LGBT youth – Non-accepting families (26%); School/bullying (21%); Fear of being out or open (18%) • Non-LGBT youth – Classes/exams/grades (25%); College/career (14%); Financial pressures related to college or job (11%)

UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE LGBTQ YOUTH INITIATIVE • Advocate for changing Delaware’s Anti-bullying Statute • Foster the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances in middle and high schools • Develop educational programs for our community to help make LGBTQ Youth educational experience better • Increase attendance, improve grades and decrease disciplinary problems among students

UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE LGBTQ YOUTH INITIATIVE ACTIONS • Established United Way of Delaware PRIDE Council • Conducted a statewide Anti-bullying GSA Summit • Encourage establishment of GSAs in all public high schools. • Establish a 1 on 1 and GSA mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware • Develop In-Service training for middle and high school staff on LGBTQ Youth • Develop away from school programing for LGBTQ Youth

THE ABCS OF LGBTQ

Where is the LGBT Community in YOUR bulls-eye?

LGBTQQIAA SAY WHAT? ! Why so many letters? What do they all mean?

LGBQ Issues of Delaware High School Students Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

THE DATA • 2011 DE Youth Risk Behavior Survey • The sample consisted of 2, 042 high school students who identified as being heterosexual & 137 who identified as being a sexual minority. • A sexual minority was a student who described him or herself as homosexual (lesbian or gay) OR bisexual in the survey Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

DELAWARE YRBS • Questions on sexual orientation and sexual activity added to YRBS in collaboration with other agencies • Question #1: Which best describes you? – – Heterosexual (straight) Homosexual (gay or lesbian) Bisexual Not sure Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

DELAWARE YRBS • Question #2: With whom have you had sexual intercourse? – – I have never had sexual intercourse Females Males Females and males • Question #3: Have you ever given or received oral sex? – Yes – No Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY SEXUAL EXPERIENCE (WHO DID YOU HAVE SEX WITH? ) 50% 45% 43% 41% 40% 35% 32% 30% 27% 26% 24% 25% 38% 23% 24% 21% 20% 15% 13% 10% 6% 5% 1% 0% Never Had Sex Females Heterosexual Homosexual Males Bisexual Both Not Sure Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

Sexual Orientation by Age of First Sexual Experience in Sexually Active Students Heterosexual Homosexual Bisexual Not sure 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 11 and under 12 -14 years old 15 -16 years old Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware 17 and older

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY SEXUAL EXPERIENCE (TYPE OF SEX ACT) 100% 92% 90% 82% 80% 72% 70% 60% 59% 68% 50% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Ever Had Sexual Intercourse Heterosexual Homosexual Ever Given/Received Oral Sex Bisexual Not Sure Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY VIOLENT ASSAULT 35% 32% 29% 30% 25% 32% 26% 26% 25% 23% 20% 18% 15% 10% 8% 5% 5% 0% Been in a Physical Fight Heterosexual Physically Hurt by a Partner Homosexual Bisexual Forced to Have Unwanted Sex Not sure

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY SCHOOL VIOLENCE 39% 40% 35% 30% 28% 24% 25% 24% 21% 20% 0, 18 16% 15% 11% 10% 5% 8% 9% 8% 5% 8% 0, 04 2% 0% Was Threatened w/ a Weapon Felt Unsafe Heterosexual Homosexual Victim of Verbal Victim of Physical Abuse Bisexual Not sure

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 60% 50% 40% 36% 33% 30% 24% 23% 26% 26% 20% 8% 10% 5% 0% Feeling Sad or Hopeless Heterosexual Suicide Planning Homosexual Bisexual Suicide Attempt Not sure

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY SUBSTANCE USE 70% 66% 60% 50% 47% 40% 37% 41% 40% 35% 30% 20% 58% 56% 27% 26% 17% 16% 10% 18% 6% 0% Cigarette Use Alcohol Use Heterosexual Homosexual Marijuana Use Bisexual Not sure Ecstasy Use

SEXUAL ORIENTATION BY NUMBER OF SEX PARTNERS IN PAST 3 MONTHS 40% 36% 35% 32% 32% 30% 25% 20% 15% 21% 18% 19% 14% 18% 15% 13% 10% 5% 0% None One Person Heterosexual Homosexual Bisexual Two or More Not Sure Source: 2011 YRBS Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOLS THAT ENGAGE IN PRACTICES RELATED TO LGBTQ YOUTH 55. 6 a) Identify “safe spaces” (e. g. a counselor’s office, designated classroom, or student organization) where LGBTQ youth can receive support from administrators. b) Prohibit harassment based on a student’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity c) Encourage staff to attend professional development on safe and supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual. d) Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience in providing health services, including HIV/STD testing and counseling. e) Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience in providing social and psychological services to LGBTQ youth 25. 8 39. 8 96. 6 64. 5 38. 7 29. 0 26. 7 0 Middle Schools 79. 2 58. 6 48. 1 62. 1 44. 8 42. 1 59. 3 High Schools All Schools Source: 2010 School Health Profiles Report, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware 100

LGBTQ BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RISKS

FACTORS THAT INCREASE STRAIN ON LGBTQ BEHAVIORAL HEALTH • Bullying • Fear of rejection of family members • Anti-LGBTQ messages heard in places of worship and in the media • Chronic stress associated with having a stigmatized and often hidden identity

SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE PRACTICES • Creating safe spaces throughout your school. • Being open and inclusive in your practices and protocols. • Being more culturally competent and using inclusive language. • Ensuring students have access to appropriate services and supports.

CREATING “SAFE SPACES” • Assess your school to identify needs, challenges, and readiness to develop a welcoming environment. • Develop mission statements and goals that include the LGBTQ community. • Train staff and faculty in all necessary policies and practices to be inclusive and supportive of all students. • Provide opportunities for LGBTQ youth to discuss experiences in a confidential, nurturing, safe and supportive environment • Give voice to the experiences of the LGBTQ community

CREATING “SAFE SPACES” • Display images of support for LGBTQ issues within offices and public areas, such as “Safe Space” stickers, a rainbow flag, or posters that use inclusive language and images. • Discuss sexual orientation and gender identity issues with youth in a supportive manner • Do not assume that youth are heterosexual • Demonstrate an open and positive attitude about youth who are LGBTQ because this approach is likely to promote a positive therapeutic relationship. • Offer services and supports to the entire family unit.

PROTECTING LGBTQ YOUTH • Include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in nondiscrimination policies • Develop policies and practices that are inclusive of the LGBTQ community. • Maintain confidentiality and privacy of all youth disclosures to protect them from victimization, stigma, abuse, and discrimination. • Offer youth safe places to identify resources within their communities.

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES • Develop an understanding of how LGBTQ identities are perceived within the community • Provide information about LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly services and supports in the local or surrounding communities. • Provide a “safe” meeting place for LGBTQ youth to obtain needed information and interact socially. • Build relationships with other organizations that support youth who are LGBTQ.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUTH? • Support/help create a GSA at your school • Adopt GLSEN “Safe Space” programs in a middle school • Become an ally and display “Safe Space” symbols in your classrooms, offices, and hallways. • Support your trans students by adopting dress and bathroom policies that are trans inclusive. • Using inclusive language in your lessons and when talking to or about students and other faculty or staff.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING (LGBTQ) YOUTH NEEDS AND SERVICES