Gays on College Campuses and the Problems They Face

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

There are usually not many reports made about same-sex violence because many were ashamed or thought their situation would not get heard. These individuals feel like their problems would be determined less serious over heterosexual abuse situations. “Lesbian and Gays are more reluctant to report abuse to legal authorities because they fear that they are showing a lack of solidarity among the gay and lesbian community. Many individuals may think there is a difference between the risk factor among heterosexual couples and same-sex couples, however there is no major difference. Also, according to Seccombe (2015) “The rate of abuse in gay and lesbian relationships is similar to or even higher than that in heterosexual relationships, around 25 to 30 percent” (p.322). As we look at the lesbian and gay community we see that they just want to fit in, so this is another reason their stories become unknown. There are many reason to think only woman get victimized, men are victimized, as well. To add, the individuals who describe themselves in the female role are victimized, based on the gender norms where woman should be unassertive and house labors instead of being in the workforce. So, therefore, there is not a major difference or any difference between the risk factors between the heterosexuals and the lesbian and gay intimate

According to Campus Pride, there are at least 102 colleges and universities in the United States that are not safe for LGBTQ students. Campus Pride is a non-profit organization created to help support the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer community that are students in colleges and universities. Their prime goal is allowing colleges and universities to have safe spaces and treat LGBTQ students as equals. They work to protect their human rights and as well teach them leadership skills. They value social justice and as well as empowerment towards all students. They also offer scholarships for the LGBTQ students in help for supporting the community. Their website also indicates safe and LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered (LGBT) youth population is one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Being gay does not lead to risky behaviors or bad decision making, rather, societal stigma and discrimination can lead LGBT youth to seek emotional outlets. Today’s society has improved immensely towards the LGBT community, although it has not always been this way. Society can affect a person in shocking ways, influencing one’s unhealthy and unsafe physical and mental behaviors. This current vulnerable population deserves a voice and the simplicity of someone listening to them in order for both sides, accepting and non-accepting, to find a common ground and settle the violence.

Society’s view of the LGBTQ population has changed dramatically over time. Until 1973, the American Psychological Association had considered homosexuality to be a mental disorder (Silvestre, Beatty, & Friedman, 2013). Today, many LGBTQ couples are getting married and raising children. Although these individuals are receiving more legal benefits, they still must struggle with the stigma that society has associated with these gender and sexual identities (Hequembourg & Dearing, 2013). This stigma has contributed to a variety of issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer or questioning individuals. Although little research has been done on LGBTQ families and substance abuse, studies have shown that there are high rates of substance abuse for individuals who are of sexual minorities (McCabe, West, Hughes, & Boyd, 2013; Senreich, 2009; Silvestre, Beatty, & Friedman, 2013). In addition to high rates of substance abuse for LGBTQ individuals, many problems exist for those in families with LGBTQ members. Youth may have a

Most LGBT youth become happy with who they are which gives them room to thrive during their adolescent years. Attending a school that has a safe and comfortable environment for every student is especially important. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some youths are more likely than their straight peers to experience bad health and life outcomes. Experiences with violence, compared to other students, come easy to LGBT individuals that can cause increased risks for unfortunate circumstances.‘Violence’ includes behaviors such as teasing, harassment, and physical assault. It is important that students at risk have access to resources and support to deal with any questions or challenges they may have or face as they mature. Surveyed LGBT students reported 10% were threatened or injured, 34% were bullied, and 28% were bullied electronically.

•26% percent of gay men and 37% of bisexual men compared to 29% of heterosexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime

One of the most serious problems many LGBTQ students face is that they experience torment and alienation not only at school, but at home.

The stigma that those in the community are viewed as “child molesters” and inherently predatory only manages to perpetuate negative stereotypes. Instead of attempting to classify and treat homosexuality as a mental disorder, what should be focused on is the effect such a stigmatization could have on the patient. In fact, LGBT+ youth are at a much higher risk of suicide, depression, and anxiety. According to a study entitled: Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Risk Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 80% more of those who experience same sex attraction and 100% more of bisexual people have attempted suicide when compared to heterosexuals. This ostracization is often looked over and instead placed on the individual's sexuality as means for causation, when in it is in fact the source. Because of this, those who are subjected to this “fundamental view that homosexuality and bisexuality indicate or are automatically associated with mental disturbance or dysfunction,” they are lead to internalize as much (Association,

GSAs would seem vital to LGBT students as harassment and teasing continue to be prevalent issues surrounding these students. In the most recent GLSEN report, 55.5 % of LGBT students included in the survey, that is approximately 4,383 participants, reported feeling unsafe at their respective school due to their sexual orientation (GLSEN, 2013). That same study found that 30.3 % of the students reported missing at least one day of school due to concerns of safety or uncomfortableness and that 90.1% , 7116 participants out of the 7898 sample, of LGBT students opted to not attend school functions and extracurricular activities. If LGBT students frequently choose to not attend school functions and extracurricular activities, the students are losing opportunities to join or attend clubs or special events that can “have a positive impact on students’ sense of belonging at school, self-esteem, and academic achievement” (GLSEN, 2013). LGBT students are seemingly withdrawing themselves from a healthy social-life due to oppressive behavior, and as their self-regard relies heavily upon these sociable occurrences, LGBT students would evidently possess lower

Those with history of marginalization experience greater rates of sexual violence. For instance, nearly one eight of lesbians and about one half of bisexual women experience sexual assault; forty percent of gay men and nearly fifty percent

Approximately 15% of adolescents identify as lesbian, gay, or bi-sexual (as cited in, Hall et al., 2014). It is imperative that school counselors are willing and able to address the complex issues associated with these LGB students (Hall et al., 2014).

Exposure to Disease - The stresses experienced by LGBT youth also put them at greater risk for depression, substance use, and sexual behaviors that place them at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted

One in ten gay men and lesbians have admitted to being a victim to a violent crime. 50% state at some point in their life, they had been insulted or verbally abused. Furthermore, sexual orientation based hate crimes have significantly increased violence and its victims often suffer greater bodily harm. This a growing concern.

many who are homosexual would feel that something was wrong with them, having low self-esteem, as a result of being different from others. the statistics portal (2016) estimate that one in 100 American women and two in every 100 American men are homosexual (Statistic Portal, 2016). The percentage of the same-sex couples in household in the United States in 2014, was 75.7 percent (Statistic portal, 2016). Even today 84.6 percent of LGBT student report being verbally harassed, 40.1 percent report being physical harassed (Scout pride, 2016)). With the increased levels of bullying other students and people be unaccepting of a teenage homosexually, at least 30 percent have attempted or thought about suicide (Scout pride,