Why We Are Needed

The statistical information available on LGBTQ students is limited and largely dated, although a quick search on Google reveals some progress is being made. As a marginalized group, LGBTQ students have rarely been included in general surveys of the nation's student population. When they have been included, many researches consider the result suspect because of fear of coming out or being outed.

Nevertheless, the statistical information we do have is important. Here are some samples:

• Nearly 70% of LGBTQ students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment in their schools.*
• Over 90% of LGBTQ students regularly hear anti-gay comments at schools; over a third from school staff.*
• LGBTQ youth are 4 times more likely to skip school because they feel unsafe.*
• Nearly one-third of LGBTQ students drop out of high school to escape the violence, harassment, and isolation they face there - a dropout rate nearly three times the national average.*
• Bisexual and lesbian teens are twice as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to become pregnant (6% vs 3%).
• 24% of gay youth are thrown out of their homes when parents learn they are gay.*
• Up to 40% of all homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.**
• Gay students are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.***
• 75% of the nation's teachers have received no training about the needs of LGBTQ students.*

The age at which LGBTQ students are coming out is getting younger and younger. This information from 1993 is still accurate based on newer research. Studies indicate that on average youth realize they are gay between the ages of 8 and 11 but most do not come out until later. The problem is, however, that coming out sooner just makes LGBTQ students targets of harassment and bullying at a younger age and for longer periods of time.

• Boxer, A.M., Cook, J. A., & Herdt, G., (1989, August). First homosexual and heterosexual experiences reported by gay and lesbian youth in an urban community . Paper present at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, California.

• Boxer, A.M. , Levernson. R, & Peterson, A.C. (1990). Adolescent sexuality, In J. Worrell & F. Danner (Eds.), The adolescent as decision-maker (pp. 92-124). New York: Academic Press.

• Herdt, G. (1989). Introduction Gay and lesbian youth, emergent identities, and cultural scenes at home and abroad. In G. Herdt (Ed.) Gay and lesbian youth . (pp. 1-42). New York: Harrington Park Press.

• Herdt, G. & Boxer, A. (1993). Children of the horizons: How gay and lesbian teens are leading a new way our of the closet . Boston, MA: Beacon Press.

• Savin-Williams, R.C. (1990). Gay and lesbian adolescence. In F. W. Bozett & M.B. Sussman (Eds.). Homosexuality and family relations (pp. 197-216). New York: Harrington Park Press.

• Troiden, R. R. (1993). The formation of homosexual identities. In L.D. Garnets & D.C. Kimmel (Eds.). Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences (pp. 191-217). New York: Columbia University Press.

A 2006 study of 528 LGBTQ students in New York City revealed a link between anti-gay bullying and post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). According to reports, nine percent of LGBTQ students in the study meet the criteria for PSTD. Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence in November, 2006, the study revealed that on average LGBTQ students “felt different” around age 8 but most delayed coming out to parents until age 14 or 15. Nearly 80% of the young people reported verbal taunts – some starting as early as age 6. More than 70% of the verbal harassment took place at school.

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