LGBT

YOUTH

BY: ASHLE

Y C. R

OBERTS

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WHO IS LGBT YOUTH&WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?Well in recent years the idea has been emphasized that

bullying among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, also known as LGBT youth, is not only a problem but a crisis.

WHAT’S BEING DONE TO HELP?

-Leading this movement and spreading awareness of the crisis at hand are the nonprofit organizations called the Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project. These two organizations share similar goals that include:

providing help and support for the LGBT youth

spreading awareness of the crisis’ occurring

promoting the importance of acceptance among the LGBT youth.

WHY DOES THIS PROBLEM MATTER?

The LGBT youth faces major problems that are common for children discovering who they are at a young age. Not being accepted by their parents or peers is probably one of the hardest obstacles the LGBT youth has to encounter.

Carl Siciliano reported in 2009 in the article Young, Positive, and Homeless that six percent of the homeless and runaway youth is identified as LGBT youth.

WHY DOES THIS PROBLEM MATTER?

High rates of substance abuse and risky sexual behavior is common among LGBT youth. When the LGBT youth individuals try to cope with their insecurities and resentment they tend to turn to substance abuse.

In a study in 2008 by Dr. Michael P. Marshal he reveals in the article, Gay Youth Report Higher Rates of Drug and Alcohol Use, that LGBGT youth are 190% more likely to use drugs and alcohol than their heterosexual peers.

WHY DOES THIS PROBLEM MATTER?

. In correlation with the high percentage of substance abuse LGBT youth also has a higher rate of involvement in risky sexual behavior. Which is inevitably the cause for the increasing rates of LGBT youth that become pregnant and are HIV positive.

In May 2011, David Munar states in the article Want to Stop HIV Among LGBT Youth Stop Bullying, “that LGBT youth that have been harassed or physically attacked have higher rates of unprotected sex[…]”

WHY DOES THIS PROBLEM MATTER?

A tragic consequence of all of the factors I’ve covered is the endemic rates of suicide and attempted suicide among LGBT youth.

In October 2010 in the article Two More Gay Teen Suicide Victims, it reported, “We are saddened to learn today of two more gay teens who have turned to suicide. This brings the total to 6 known suicides in September by openly gay or perceived gay, teenagers.

THERE IS HOPE AND YOU CAN HELP!

http://www.youtube.com/user/googlechrome?v=7skPnJOZYdA&feature=pyv&ad=7478932977&kw=%2Bchrome%20%2Bit%20%2Bgets%20%2Bbetter

We must do our part to put a stop to anti-gay bullying because it is leading increasing numbers of the LGBT youth to suicide. This crisis should not be overlooked anymore, bullying is not just a way of life it is a problem. To get involved with the It Gets Better Project today start off by going online to www.itgetsbetter.org and taking the It Gets Better Pledge today, like I did months ago, and together we can encourage the LGBT youth that ‘it gets better.’

REFERENCES

Marshal, Dr. Michael P. "Gay Youth Report Higher Rates of Drug and Alcohol Use." Http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/101682.php. N.p., 26 Mar. 2008. Web.

Munar, David. "Want to Stop HIV Among LGBT Youth? Stop Bullying." (3 May 2011): n. pag. 3 May 2011. Web. <http://www.aidschicago.org/events/77-signature-events/327-want-to-stop-hiv-among-lgbt-youth-stop-bullying>.

Siciliano, Carl. "Young, Positive, and Homeless." Http://www.thebody.com/content/art50765.html. N.p., Winter 2009. Web.

"Two More Gay Teen Suicide Victims." LGBTQ Nation. N.p., 1 Oct. 2010. Web. <http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2010/10/two-more-gay-teen-suicide-victims-raymond-chase-cody-barker-mark-6-deaths-in-september/>.