How Discrimination Affecting LGBTQ + Youth

Years after the National LGBTQ Task Force released their report calling LGBTQ youth homelessness an epidemic, these youths are still fighting each other for limited resources. Unfortunately, LGBTQ youth still do not have access to services that respect their identities. National

In a recent podcast regarding a transgender high school student being forced to change in the nurse’s office instead of in the locker room with other students addressed the controversy regarding the treatment of members of our society who identify as LGBTQ. Throughout the podcast, multiple individuals have voiced support for the school’s decision to isolate the transgender student when changing. Do to the opinions voiced in the podcast regarding this case, I realized that the treatment of the high school student is only one example of the existing discrimination towards those who identify as LGBTQ. As such, I intend to explore the controversy of LGBTQ and our obligations that we have as members of the same society. Throughout this paper, I

Many services are available that can positively impact protective factors, however, barriers to these services exist for LGBTQ youth; particularly transgender youth (Mathematica Policy Research, 2014). The barriers to providing services to LGBTQ homeless youth are twofold. First, LGBTQ youth are not always open to accepting services for a variety of reasons. Stigma, discrimination, and victimization are factors that impact the willingness of LGBT homeless youth to utilize services, especially homeless shelters; as is prior rejection at home and school (Hunter, 2008; Whitbeck, Chen, Hoyt, Tyler & Johnson, 2004). It is important to consider that many LGBT homeless youth have previously been in the foster care system and have reported that abuse

Part of my training in becoming a counselor, I have developed and continue to develop skill to advocate for all youths. Through mindfulness training, I want be an advocate for LGBTQ youths by empowering them and providing useful skills that promote independent living. Every youth, gender conforming or non-gender conforming, deserves the right to live a success, content and fulfill life.

The first three sets of theory incorporated the levels, shifting levels of identities shaped by outside agencies for LGBT youth. Another social factor that impending on young sexual minorities are the threats of poverty. These threats cause LGBT youth to experience vulnerability and detriment to their identities. Corliss et al. research validates that statement. In their article, “High Burden of Homelessness Among Sexual-Minority Adolescents: Findings From a Representative, Massachusetts High School, Sample,” they review the prevalence of homelessness in LGBT and heterosexual adolescents (Corliss et al. 1683). Their findings include: 40% LGBT student in the Massachusetts

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.

Out of the 316 million people in the United States of America, nine million of them relate as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning collectively known as LGBTQ. This makes up about four percent of the population and while this may seem like a small number, the LGBTQ equal rights movement is as big as ever. While there are many fronts to fight in the war for equal rights, the major points I will be discussing are the history of LGBTQ fight for equal rights, marriage rights and equality, and the mistreatment of LGBTQ youth in regards to bullying in schools, homelessness, and depression/suicide.

There a number of factors that contributes to the negative experiences of the LGBT court-involved youth. The root is the lack of understanding and bias against the LGBT community. These issues seize the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in working to assist with the LGBT youth community (Majd, Marksamer & Reyes, 2009). There is a huge lack of acceptance and misconceptions about the sexual orientation and gender identities of juveniles. It is myth that youth cannot be LGBT and that they do not exist within the juvenile detention centers. There are approximately 13 percent of LGBT youth in detention facilities across the United States (Majd, Marksamer & Reyes, 2009). When professionals fail to realize the existence of LGBT youth, it leaves them ill equipped to serve them and meet their needs (Majd, Marksamer & Reyes, 2009). According to Majd, Marksamer & Reyes (2009):

Identity and accepting who we are play an important role in having and living a happy life. Many people, mostly people with less popular sexual orientations, are more likely to hide their true identity, to “fit-in” or not be bullied. As Neu said, “Who we are, who we think we are, and who others think we are can come to matter very

The BSA have discriminated against LGBTQ+ individuals by denying and/or revoking memberships to individuals who have identified as LGBT despite the years of loyalty and service to the institution (Dale, 2013). In reviewing the Boys Scouts of America’s rules and regulations, it was found that the organization incorporated faith base teaching into scouting programs (Boys Scouts of America, 2016). It is possible that these faith based teachings are the ones that hinder the organization from allowing scouts to freely express their gender orientation and identity.

The Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan (2006) once said that “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” However, despite this and all of the actions done by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) groups, gender discrimination is still visible in our country especially in the sectors of employment, education and society. It is evident in the recent years that the number of LGBTs in these sectors has been increasing and

“Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?” -Ernest J. Gaines. For the LGBT community, many people frown upon them, treating them as if they’re not human beings. It raises a concern to many - why isn’t the government doing anything about it? As I found in an article wrote by Stephen Peters, “LGBT people are included in the federal hate crimes law; but fewer than half of states have passing or expanding laws which aim to protect LGBT individuals from bullying in schools or discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations like restaurants and stores,” said MAP Executive Director Ineke Mushovic. “The reality is that LGBT Americans are still not equal under the law, and

In today’s society, it is very difficult for some teenagers to be who they truly are because of the risk of being ostracized and isolated by their peers. There are certain pressures and prejudices imposed by a predominately heterosexual society on homosexuals, and especially on homosexual teens, that can cause teenagers to suppress their preferences. These stereotypes can influence if a teen is willing to openly reveal their sexual identity and because society has become so absent- minded to the mannerisms commonly used to describe homosexuals such as "queer," "fag," and "dyke" and the offensive nature of these words/phrases, this project will help assist with opening the minds of my peers to help eliminate biases, stereotypes, and prejudices associated with being gay.

There is a tremendous amount of LGBT youth that experience homelessness in the United States, and forty percent of them identify themselves as LGBT. There are so many issues that cause homelessness in the LGBT community such as discrimination in religious communities, lack of support from families and rejection from society. But in a world where these issues are all around us, how can we solve this? It starts with every individual to just stop and maybe educate themselves on this unique youth community and the struggles they must face to bring in equality. This education can start with volunteer work, educational classes, or even support groups. The problem is the discrimination against the LGBT youth community, so many do not understand what it means to be in the LGBT individual and the obstacles they must face such as finding a job, going to school and finding a place to live, etc.