Bullying of LGBTQIA Youth

 

You might know . . .

Young people are coming out earlier as our culture has become more accepting of LGBTQIA people.

But maybe you’ve never thought about . . .

Young LGBTQIA people are especially vulnerable to bullying and abuse. Negative stereotypes, hateful language, abusive theology, and discriminatory policies are still prevalent. These messages have a lasting and profound impact on young people, who are still in the process of determining their own identity. Churches espousing a “love the sinner, hate the sin” approach reinforce self-hatred and separation between families—the very people who ought to be supporting young people the most. Young people who don’t have the support of their families are particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and homelessness.

“The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.”

Fred Rogers

Among students who identified as LGBTQIA, 82% said they experienced bullying about sexual orientation, and almost 60% never reported what happened to them.

Teenagers who identify as LGBTQIA are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt to take their own lives than their peers are; they are 8 times more likely to take their own lives if they are not accepted by their family.

28% of youth who are LGBTQIA will stop going to school altogether because of the bullying they experience.

Source: NoBullying.com

Approximately 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as being LGBTQIA.

Source: Lambda Legal

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO
  • Ask your local school board whether they have bullying policies in place, with specific protection for LGBTQIA kids.
  • If you have children of your own, have conversations with them about bullying in school.
  • Use the Trevor Project’s Lifeguard Training (a free online video) with the kids in your school, church, sports team, or other community group.
  • Pay attention to the media you consume and how those shows and movies portray LGBTQIA people. Give the young people in your life resources that represent LGBTQIA people well.
  • Advocate for the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in your local school. Human Rights Campaign has excellent resources for starting a GSA.
  • If you are a parent of an LGBTQIA kid, look to PFLAG for helpful resources on how to support your child.

Students who identify as LGBTQIA will skip school 5 times more often than other students, due to the bullying they experience.

Source: NoBullying.com

 

REFLECTION & JOURNAL SPACE