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Gay and Lesbian students often
feel invisible in their schools. Their invisibility is typically reinforced
by heterosexism in their environment, which causes gay and lesbian young
people to feel invisible, unsupported and isolated. The following statistics
vividly illustrate some of the reasons educators and students should be
concerned about the experiences gay and lesbian young people have while in
school. Hopefully these statistics will give you a glimpse into the world
that gay and lesbian students must experience.
Suicide:
A 1989 study by the US Department of Health and Human
Services showed gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to
attempt suicide than heterosexual young people. 30% of the completed youth
suicides are committed by lesbian and gay youth annually and suicide is
their leading cause of death.
School Drop-Out:
28% of gay and lesbian high school students in a national study were seen to
have dropped out of school because of harassment resulting from their sexual
orientation. (Remafedi, G., Pediatrics, 326-330.
1987)
Isolation:
80% of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth report severe isolation problems.
They experience social isolation, emotional isolation and cognitive
isolation. (Hetrick. E.S., Martin. A.D., Journal
of Homosexuality 14(1/2). 25-43. 1987)
Violence:
45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians report having experienced verbal
harassment and/or physical violence as a result of heir sexual orientation
during high school. (National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force, "National Anti-Gay/Lesbian Victimization Report", 1984)
Homelessness:
26% of gay and lesbian youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts
with their families over their sexual identities.
(Remafedi. G., Pediatrics, 79, 326-330,1987)
HIV/AIDS:
Approximately 20% of all persons with AIDS are 20-29 years old; given the
long latency period between infection and the onset of the disease, many
were probably infected as teenagers. (Lehman, M.,
HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 5(l), 1993)
Student Attitudes:
97% of students in public high schools report regularly hearing homophobic
remarks from their peers. (Making Schools Safe for
Gay and Lesbian Youth: Report of Mass. Governor's Commission on Gay and
Lesbian Youth, 1993)
Staff Attitudes:
53% of students report hearing homophobic comments made by school staff.
(Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Report of Mass. Governor's
Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, 1993)
Health Issues:
68% of adolescent gay males use alcohol and 44% use other drugs; 83% of
lesbians use alcohol and 56% use other drugs.
(Hunter. J. et al. Unpublished research by the Columbia University HIV
Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, 1992)
Depression:
In a study of depression and gay youth, researchers found depression strikes
homosexual youth four to five times more severely than their non-gay peers.
(Hammelman, TL, 1990)
Fact Sheet compiled by GLSEN, New York,
NY and Youth Pride, Inc., Providence, RI |