Essay on LGBTQ Youth: The Endless Strife

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

In order to change the treatment of LGBT homeless youth we need to not only change our hearts but we need to change some laws. Chris Johnson focuses on just that, he talks about the reintroduction of an outdated law and how it’s being amended to include the LGBT youths. This inclusion will prohibit discrimination at federally funded shelters and social service programs. This article supports my research because it recognizes the special needs of the LGBT youth population to be protected from discrimination by federal grantees. It shows the growth our communities have made in the past several years.

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

LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) children feel neglected by their foster families by them not supporting their decisions and not

The LGBTQ community are living a life in danger in America. Regardless of the acceptance of same-sex marriage, there are a number problems the LGBTQ community have to face, like the many obstacles to acceptance and equality. In The New York Times article, “The Challenges That Remain for L.G.B.T. People After Marriage Ruling” by Liam Stack, he goes by talking about info that can be reliable with sources that work, with quotes that match with what he needs to say, and usefully using emotional appeals to persuade his audience that the LGBTQ community are in danger. Stack sets about his work of persuading his audience about what is going on in the world is by using strong logical and ethical appeals. In his writing he points out that the LGBTQ community faces discrimination, lack of transgender rights, health care and Immigration and Criminal equity reform.

From above paragraphs we have seen that lesbian, gay, bisexual youth face discrimination and marginalization fostered by the social systems that serve them.

Between 240,000 and 400,000 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth experience at least one episode of homelessness each year in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2008). LGBT status increases risk of homelessness and impedes the youth’s attempts to exit homelessness, therefore the youth experience high rates of sex work, HIV risk, substance use, mental illness, and suicidal ideation (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014; Tyler, 2008; Walls & Bell, 2011). The recognition of the importance of the social determinants of health is linked to social justice, education, shelter, food security and self-determination (Mohajer & Ernest, 2010). Their fundamental human rights are being violated, including the right to suitable

It is estimated that between 240,000 and 400,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth experience at least one incident of homelessness each year in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, qtd in Ream and Forge). However, it is important to note that these estimates have wide margins of error because tracking statistics for marginalized communities is quite difficult. Furthermore, homeless LGBTQ+ youths also have challenges not faced by their cisgender-heterosexual (cis-het) homeless peers, including discrimination in non-LGBTQ+-specific youth homeless services and greater health disparities, including greater rates of victimization, sexual risk behaviors, substance use, mental illness, and

Slurs and derogatory terms have influenced America’s adolescents, and weak parental figures have also acted as a cause in the nonexistent correction concerning this issue. In addition, if America does not begin to recognize that 9 out 10 LGBT students are being publicly harassed, both mental and physical, then the already high suicide rate will witness another increase. Parents need to start caring for their children's well-being. The emergence of communities built around

Inside the homeless youth population, youth who are lesbian, gay, cross-sexual, transgender or addressing (LGBTQ) are at significantly expanded hazard for building up a psychological wellness disorder (Forge, 2014). Reports in discrete studies that adolescent who are According to Hirsch, homeless and LGBTQ youth are at the most astounding danger and in basic need of wellbeing and emotional wellness administrations (Forge, 2014). A connection has been recognized between family dismissal and negative emotional wellness results for youth who are LGBTQ with more than 40 percent of white and Latino lesbian, gay and bi-sexual youth endeavoring suicide at any rate once in their lifetime (Hirsch, 2014). While family dismissal is one connection to psychological

"Closeted homophobes are repeatedly fed the lie that they are shameful abominations so much so they end up believing it and parroting it to the queer people they secretly envy and love."

From above paragraphs we have learnt that lesbian, gay, bisexual youth face discrimination and marginalization fostered by the social systems that serve them. As a result a social worker should analyze prudently the use and misuse of power in the client’s life (critical consciousness) and promote engagement to foster social justice (Wagaman, 2016). As stated by Wagaman (2016), the positive wellbeing of LGB youth can be ensured through such services in accordance with their empowerment. In order to achieve that as a social worker, I should ensure the programs and interventions for young LGB people to address structural inequities as well as I should create awareness and engage them in efforts to challenge the systemic that cause or reinforce

The LGBTQ youth is facing a serious problem within their community. There are many contributing factors that make a child decide to leave there home. However, sometimes they leave involuntarily which will go in depth later in the paper. Whatever the choice may be for a youth to leave we need to study and realize the factors. There are plenty of reasons why a child might run away; however, a common issue is their sexual orientation.

Eighty six percent, that is the percent of LGBT youths who report being harassed in school because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity, this is a shocking statistic compared to the twenty seven percent of students who report being harassed in school. This isn’t the only place that members of the LGBT community face. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and around four percent of the American population is self classified as LGBT. While this may seem like a small percent, this means that nearly 12,156,000 people in the United States are LGBT. The LGBT community faces a large margin of inequality, facing discrimination not only in the workplace, but also in schools and in the healthcare system and also face

There are more than 1.6 million adolescents experiencing homelessness annually in the U.S. (Casetellanos, 2016; Rosario, et al., 2012; Schmitz & Tyler, 2014). Based on national estimates, this is roughly 5% of the population (Rosario et al., 2012). The definition of homelessness is rather ambiguous which contributes to such discretion when working with the homeless population. Often, the terms “homeless” and “runaway” are used interchangeably in research studies on homeless youth. However, running away is considered episodic whereas homelessness is a longterm circumstance (Schmitz & Tyler, 2014). For the purpose of this study, homelessness is defined in it’s broadest terms: individuals who are experiencing residential instability or vulnerability; individuals who are doubled up with friends, family, or sexual partners; individuals living in a place not meant for human habitation; and individuals living in emergency shelter or transitional housing (Castellanos, 2016; “HUD Definition of Homeless”, 2012; Rosario, et al., 2012). Lesbian, gay, and bi-sexual youth compose 15-36% of homeless youth despite composing only 1.3-3.8% of the general youth population (Rosario et al., 2012). This wide margin of error is typical amongst stigmatized groups such as the LGBTQ population because there is still a legitimized fear of disclosing one’s gender identity or sexual orientation (Ream & Forge, 2014). LGBT youth face higher risk of mental health problems, substance use, and sexual risk