Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Needs and Services

1. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Needs and Services

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Growing up LGBT in AmericaHuman 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.

6. Growing up LGBT in AmericaHuman 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%)

7. United Way of DelawareLGBTQ 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

8. United Way of DelawareLGBTQ 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

9. The ABCs of LGBTQ

10. Where is the LGBT Community in YOUR bulls-eye?

11. LGBTQQIAASay what?! Why so many letters? What do they all mean?

15. LGBQIssuesofDelaware HighSchool Students Source: 2011YRBS Delaware,Centerfor Drugand AlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

16. TheData • 2011DEYouth Risk Behavior Survey • The sample consistedof2,042highschool studentswhoidentifiedas beingheterosexual • & 137whoidentifiedas being asexual minority. • Asexual minoritywasa studentwho describedhimorherselfas homosexual (lesbian or gay)OR bisexualinthe survey Source: 2011YRBS Delaware,Centerfor Drugand AlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

17. SexualOrientationbySexual Experience(WhoDidYou Have SexWith?) Source: 2011YRBS Delaware,Centerfor Drugand AlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

18. SexualOrientationby Age ofFirstSexual Experience in Sexually Active Students Source: 2011YRBS Delaware,Centerfor Drugand AlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

19. SexualOrientationby SexualExperience(Type of Sex Act) Source: 2011YRBS Delaware,Centerfor Drugand AlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

20. Sexual orientation by Violent assault

21. Sexual Orientation by School Violence

22. Sexual Orientation by Behavioral Health

23. Sexual orientation by substance use

24. Sexual orientation by Safe Sex Practices

25. PercentageofSchoolsthatEngageinPracticesrelatedtoLGBTQYouth Identify “safe spaces”where LGBTQyouth can receive supportfromadministrators. Prohibitharassmentbased on a student’sperceivedor actual sexual orientationor genderidentity Encourage staff to attend professionaldevelopmenton safeandsupportive school environments forallstudents. Facilitateaccessto providersnot onschoolpropertywho have experience inproviding health services,including HIV/STD testingand counseling. Facilitateaccessto providersnot onschoolpropertywho have experience inproviding socialand psychological servicesto LGBTQyouth Source: 2010SchoolHealthProfilesReport,CenterforDrugandAlcoholStudies,University ofDelaware

26. LGBTQ Behavioral Health risks

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Needs and Services