New Report links LGBT Bullying to long-term Health and Developmental problems

A new report from the Family Acceptance Project links LGBT bullying to deeper and damaging health issues later in life.

Here's more:

It found that LGBT-targeted bullying related to gender expression or sexual orientation during school years led to increased young adult depression, suicidal thoughts, social adjustment issues and risky sexual behavior. LGBT young adults that reported high levels of anti-LGBT victimization as teens were 5.6 times more likely to report suicide attempts than those victimized less frequently. They were more than twice as likely to report being clinically depressed, and they were more than twice as likely to report having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease by young adulthood.

The report also found that young adult GBT males are targeted more frequently than their female counterparts, and that the amount of bullying a boy receives in school can help predict the health issues he will face later in life.

The report, titled “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adolescent School Victimization: Implications for Young Adult Health and Adjustment” and published in the Journal of School Health, comes as both popular culture and policy hone in on the topic. The plot of last week's episode of the ever-popular Fox hit show Glee, for example, revolved around quiet, biting homophobic bullying: an openly gay male was (spoiler alert!) crowned Prom Queen. 

This is interesting info. Explains a lot about our self-esteem, anxiety, doubt and our social issues. please check the source and the other links with it.

A Look at Gay Suicide Risk in the our Country

This is an interesting look at the trials of our troubled gay teens. Following Dr. Mark L. Hatzenbuehler's work, we can learn how the gay teens' environment contributed to the high risk for suicide attempts.

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More than 70 percent of the thousands of calls to the 24/7 Trevor Lifeline originate in the southern and central regions of the United States, where there are traditionally fewer legal protections, in- and out-of-school support services and accepting environments for LGBTQ young people. While there are wonderful programs in these areas that do excellent work, some youth in these areas receive less support and face tougher challenges in their communities and schools.


For example, 1.95 percent of the United States population resides in the state of Missouri, yet 3.37 percent of the 2010 volume to The Trevor Lifeline originated there -- illustrating a disproportionately high demand for LGBTQ crisis intervention and suicide prevention services in that state. 

Other states with disproportionately high call volume include: Nebraska, Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi to name a few. The youth in these states, along with countless others, are in need of help that just is not often accessible at the local level. 

Dr. Hatzenbuehler's research serves to highlight what we have seen for more than a decade: Non-accepting community, school and familial environments are associated with an elevated risk for suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth. Examining counties across Oregon, he finds that youth living in environments with less support for lesbian and gay people are 20 percent more likely to attempt suicide than those youth living in areas with support.

Nonetheless, the data here are drawn from a population-based sample, a relative rarity in LGBTQ youth research, which has largely depended on smaller convenience samples. This study highlights why asking sexual orientation questions on larger population-based surveys is so important; those data allow us to make larger generalizations and better target our programs to the young people most in need.

This info is a great start in applying next steps. Hopefully, something will be done in order to protect our youth.

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New Documentary: Always My Son

This was the talk of the LGBT Blogger and Journalists gathering in San Fran. this past weekend. Please view this and pass it on

Here's more info on the documentary

In Kentucky: Anti-Bullying Bill stalls in House

Why? To protect Christian Bigots

Iowa Report: LGBT students more likely to be suicidal and harassed than their Straight Peers

According to a new report, LGBT students are more likely to be suicidal and harassed than straight studens.

The first-ever College Climate Survey given to volunteers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are 25 percent more likely to have thoughts of suicide, and 44 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students said they have been harassed.

“I think it’s disturbing what some of the results from the survey were,” said Joshua Merritt, a University of Iowa senior and outreach coordinator.

Members said harassment may be the reason an estimated four in 10 gay students haven’t told anyone about their sexual orientation yet.

“It’s so surprising in this day and age when we’re still dealing with discrimination,” Boatwright said.
Founded in 2003, the Iowa Pride Network works with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight allied students to fight homophobia and transphobia in pursuit of equal treatment.

“For me, the survey isn’t about being gay, it’s about everyone being treated equally,” said Sarah Mowitz, a Des Moines Roosevelt High senior and first-year member of the Iowa Pride Network.

Please read the full report, here

Gay Student Groups increase in Utah City

This is great news to kick off the year. More gay student orgs. are growing in Utah City.

Some disapproving classmates called members of the new club “Satanists.” Another asked one of the girls involved, “Do you have a disease?”


But at three local high schools here this fall, dozens of gay students and their supporters finally convened the first Gay-Straight Alliances in the history of this conservative, largely Mormon city. It was a turning point here and for the state, where administrators, teachers and even the Legislature have tried for years to block support groups for gay youths, calling them everything from inappropriate to immoral.


The new alliances in St. George were part of a drastic rise this fall in the number of clubs statewide, reflecting new activism by gay and lesbian students, an organizing drive by a gay rights group and the intervention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has threatened to sue districts that put up arbitrary hurdles. Last January, only 9 high schools in Utah had active Gay-Straight Alliances; by last month, the number had reached 32.

That's good. Hopefully, these groups motivate and inspire the gay students to stick together and stay strong.

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Wendy Walsh talks about her Son's Suicide from Anti-Gay Bullying

Seth Walsh killed himself due to anti-gay bullying. His mother, Wendy was the one who found him. Now, with the help of ACLU, Wendy reads her son's suicide note in order to send a message about anti-gay bullying.

Glee goes All Boys pt. 3: WATCH Darren Criss and Chris Colfer sing "Baby It's Cold Outside"

WATCH Pixar's Awesome "It Gets Better" Video

Gay Teacher Wears "Out" T-Shirt at Work

Matt Tratner became a hero to gay teachers and students, by being who he really is in public... A Proud Gay Man.

Here's the story...

Defying recent efforts to demonize and penalize openly gay teachers, Matt Tratner, a beloved teacher and guidance counselor at New York’s prestigious John Bowne High School, went to work today wearing a shirt that boldly states “OUT And I’m not alone.” He then posted a photo of himself wearing the shirt on Facebook with the caption

“Yes- I am OUT at my job… Yes the students like my shirt .”

The posting immediately attracted massive support, including mine.   By the end of the day he changed his Facebook status to say

A little after 3pm today, after classes were over a few teacher came over to me to tell me what they thought of my OUT SHIRT I had worn to school today… They said that they had heard all about Tratner wearing it. They asked where they could get one so they too could wear them at school- gay and straight teachers asked to have one. I was never so proud to be OUT.

Hopefully, more teachers will follow in his footsteps. Because the more gay teachers come out and stand out, the more our LGBT teens will feel safe and not alone.

Way to go, Matt!!


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