LGBTQ Youth: At Risk of Discrimination and Suicide - Research Paper

Abstract

LGBTQ youths face different forms of discrimination in their workplaces, schools and even domestic homes. The forms of discrimination range from physical assault and bullying to the more sublime, verbal aggression. Physical, online and verbal assault makes the victims depressed and challenges their self-esteem. This can be seen in the increased trend of suicides explained by LGBTQ preferences. In fact, LGBTQ youths are two times more likely to commit suicide compared to their straight peers (Haas et, al. 17). They always feel left out of social gatherings and hence grow up to become socially isolated and introverted persons. This limits their capabilities and opportunities as human beings. This paper focuses particularly on the various forms of discrimination meted on LGBTQ youths and the effects of discrimination to their physical, mental and emotional growth. In school, LGBTQ students are exempted from normal students' activities, lack role models who identify with their sexual orientation, are ignorant about safe sexual practices due to lack of information and are prohibited from forming clubs and societies geared towards addressing their sexual and gender orientations. In order to ensure the mental and physical growth of these students, parents and teachers should focus on creating conducive environments for LGBTQ youths. School administrations should create policies protecting LGBTQ students from discrimination, facilitate the formation of clubs and societies that address their needs and allow them to publicly display their romantic relationships without fear of prejudice. The most important aspect of ensuring LGBTQ personalities feel part of society, they need to be included in communal activities without discrimination on their sexual or gender orientations.

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Introduction

In order to accurately represent and address all sexual and gender identities, the term LGBTQ; which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and queer sexual behavior replaced the gay movement in 1996 (Shankle 5). LGBTQ stands for anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender. Over time, The United States supreme court through collaborative efforts with the LGBTQ society has legalized and recognized many LGBTQ rights such as same-sex marriages, and repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't tell," policy (Bumiller, New York Times). Human rights activists are currently pushing for the Equity Act which will outlaw all forms of gender and sexual discriminations (The Equity Act). Despite the progress made, many LGBTQ youths face discrimination and harassment over their sexual preferences. This paper will highlight the various forms of discrimination waged on LGBTQ youths and how these harassments affect their mental and psychological health by analyzing data from previously conducted research on the same. Secondly, this paper will discuss the contributing role of parents and schools in adding to this discrimination and how the two parties can step up and guarantee conducive environments (both at home and in school) for LGBTQ youths.

In a review of various studies on LGBTQ persons, the "Centre for the Study of Inequality" has strongly correlated ill-health-related issues faced by LGBTQ persons with the social discriminations that they face. The research found a 95% link between discrimination and health damage (Cornell 17). Extensive research by the "Human Rights Watch categorizes the forms of discrimination to physical assault and verbal aggression. Through interviews with affected persons, the "Human Rights Watch" summarizes the effects of discrimination into physiological and physical. In order to expand knowledge on this subject, various research documents have been referenced in this paper that deal extensively with the effects of discrimination on LGBTQ youth. Collaborative discussion with psychological experts and LGBTQ activists proposes various strategies that need to be adopted at governmental, institutional and domestic levels to enhance LGBTQ tolerance in the society.

Forms of Discrimination

Physical Assault and Bullying

In 2001, a study conducted by The Human Rights Watch found that all the 140 LGBTQ students interviewed vividly remember at least one harrowing incident of physical bullying, intimidation, molestation and harassment based entirely on their sexual orientation (Human Rights Watch 28). The trend has not shifted. Although some LGBTQ youths have acknowledged increased support from their friends and peers today, recent researchers have concluded that LGBTQ youths are still vulnerable to attack and harassment from some of their peers. LGBTQ youths are still twice as likely to be verbally beset, physically molested and exempted from social groups compared to their non-LGBTQ peers.

Sandra C., the mother of a 16 year old gay boy gave an account of the pattern of bullying faced by his son in school: "My son was hauled down the hallway and locker room, called obscene names like 'fag' 'worthless' and 'gay,' then chocked and shoved into a girl's bathroom because his sixth grade peers reckoned he should be a girl." To make matters worse, the affected students are threatened not to report the matter to the school authorities or their parents. Willow K., a transgender girl vividly remembers the beating and insults hurled at her in her seventh grade and her fear of confiding in anyone. "When I went to the changing rooms, everyone beat me up. I was afraid to tell anyone because they threatened to beat me up more." (Human Rights Watch 30). They also fear that teachers wouldn't acknowledge the problem and will instead shift the blame to them. Alexander S. a transgender boy said, "When I was 8, my peers started beating me up. When I reported to the class teacher, she didn't believe me because one of the bullies was her son. A year later, I started developing suicidal thoughts because I realized the school was not going to help me in any way." When a physically assaulted gay student reported the matter to the school principal, the principal simply told him, "If you'd butch it up, this kind of thing wouldn't happen to you." (31). This discourages LGBTQ students from reporting physical assault, making them more susceptible to further assault.

Verbal Assault

Apart from physical assault and molestation, most LGBTQ students face verbal harassments which create hostile and non-conductive environments in school and at home. Fellow students use disparaging terms and slurs like 'dyke' 'faggot' and 'gay' to belittle LGBTQ students. Although verbal assault insults cause no physical bodily harm to the victims, it causes a hostile environment for LGBTQ students and creates a conducive environment for physical assault. In her winning article, "Hello," Nnemdi Ozoemena voices the concerns of two youths who are sick and tired of the discrimination faced by LGBTQ youths. They talk about "the stigma and inhumanity surrounding it" and wishfully just "hope things would change." They talk about how "relatives and classmates talk about them as if they are not human." (Ozoemena 2). No wonder, "suicide is the leading cause of death among LGBTQ youths. They are 2 to 6 times more likely to commit suicide and account for 30% of teen suicides."

Cyberbullying

Online support groups enable LGBTQ youths to create networks and interact with other LGBTQ persons. If conducted in an honest way, it is right to say that it creates an environment where LGBTQ persons can be free to express themselves to people who understand their situation and offer them the support they may not receive at home. On the other hand, the internet exposes LGBTQ youths to online harassment and cyberbullying. Recent years have seen a surge in instances of cyberbullying due to an increase in the global network coverage and access to the internet. This makes it even worse for LGBTQ persons. A bisexual girl suggested: "if you're open to anything in the internet, you are prone to attack. And if you are LGBTQ, its 10 times worse." (Human Rights Watch 30). This is because people exploit anonymous apps to attack their fellows who they know are LGBTQ. Students also use online portals to circulate obscene, discriminating pictures and videos to misgender and abash their LGBTQ compeers.

Effects of Discrimination

A 2013 GLSEN research found that LGBTQ youths suffer from depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. This increases their rate of absenteeism to school and consequently affects their academic performance adversely. This research is consistent with similar researches that have shown LGBTQ youths are at a lofty risk of suffering from poor mental health and depression due to constant rejection and denial from family members. Secondly, they are at an elevated level of engaging in drug and substance abuse and in the most adverse levels, they may contemplate suicidal thoughts (Centre for Disease control and prevention). A research by UCLA law school shows that 40% of the homeless youths are LGBTQ (William 32). This shows the extent of rejection on LGBTQ persons by their families. Compared to their non-LGBTQ counterparts, LGBTQ youths constitute the highest number of suicides every year. 43% of LGBTQ youths seriously contemplate suicidal eventualities, with 30% of them actually attempting to commit suicide (37)

Studies have also shown that isolation and rejection can be as detrimental on the mental development of LGBTQ youths just as assault, bullying and physical aggression is to their emotional stability. These microaggressions create an environment of tension and anxiety for LGBTQ youths. Describing this harrowing experience, Polly R., describes the environment as: "It's like walking through a hailstorm...its all the hail together." (Human Rights Watch). In some instances, the rejection from peers is too high that sometimes students "Just wish their friends could beat them and lash at them instead of ignoring them, ignoring their identity or walking past them as if nothing is there."(Human rights watch) Can you imagine the scenes going through the minds of these students when their mates ignore them? They don't include them in their play groups hence they grow up devoid of any form of experience on social interactions.

Role of Schools and Parents

Social pressures may sometimes be extenuating for students anywhere, irrespective of the sexual orientation or race. But the pressure netted on LGBTQ students in schools is extremely high because they lack the emotional and social support of their teachers and parents. As shown above, instead of extending a helping hand, some teachers may play an active role in this vice. They may openly discourage gay and lesbianism, bringing LGBTQ youths to increased exposure to hatred and contempt from their peers. Some teachers may also openly mock the LGBTQ youths or participate in the bullying. When a young transsexual girl from Dakota ran home because of insults hurled at her by her classmates, Lynette G., the mother saw her teacher laughing at her, thus traumatizing her even more. It hurts their personality and confidence to see their teachers taking an active role in encouraging discrimination instead of extending a helping hand.

Furthermore, students are not able to retrieve information about LGBTQ issues from school resources such as the library. Teachers and counsellors are also ill equipped with information that can be helpful to the students. They are ill informed and ignorant on this subject. LGBTQ students also have no role model figures in their teachers. LGBTQ teachers are afraid to openly state their commitment to protect students because they fear about the security of their employment.

In some states, LGBTQ youths have organized alliances and clubs for their LGBTQ students in schools. The aim of these Gay-straight Alliances (GSA) is to create awareness on sexuality and help change societal perc...