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The research has shown that families need to create a nurturing environment long before they know who their child will become.  

According to the Family Acceptance Projectâ„¢, research performed by a team of PhDs , led by Dr. Caitlin Ryan, the avereage age that youth realized they were gay was a little over 13.  Many of them knew they were gay at even younger ages - such as age 7 or 9. 

 

The behaviors that families use to react to their child's gay or transgender identity affects the young person's risk for depression, suicide, substance abuse, HIV and STDs. Click on one of the images below to read the research in greater detail:

 

 

 

San Francisco University booklet.

Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 123 No. 1 January 1, 2009

When gay teens are highly rejected by their parents, they are:

 

  • 8 times more likely to commit suicide;

  • nearly 6 times more likely to become severely depressed;

  • More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs

Higher rates of parent / caregiver rejection were significantly associated with pooer health outcomes including depression, attempted suicide, engaging in unprotected sex.

 

Latino men reported the highest number of negative family reactions to their sexual orientation in adolescence.

Journal of School Health, May 2011, Vol. 81, No. 5.

According to studies reviewed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Office of Adolescent Health and the CDC:

 

  • Parental response to their LGBT adolescent can have a tremendous impact on the child's current and future mental and physical health.

  • Supportive reaction from parents can help adolescents cope and thrive.

School bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth is linked with increased risk of STDs and HIV.

Applied Developmental Science, 15(4), 175-185, 2011

Findings suggest that schools administrators should support helping students form GSAs in schools as a potentials ource of promoting positive development for the LGBT student population. However, further anti-bullying and other trainings are needed.

Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Vol. 23,No. 4, 2010

Family acceptance of LGBT teens is associated with positive young-adult mental health - including higher self esteem and general health and lower risk of depression, suicide ideation and drug/alcohol abuse.

Durso, L.E. & Gates, G.J (2012) Serving Our Youth - Nat'l Survey of Svc Providers Working with LGBT Homeless Youth. University of California School of Law Williams Inst.

Approximately 40% of homeless youth are LGBT and almost 70% of those who responded indicated that family rejection was a major factor. More than 1/2 reported that abuse in their family was another important factor as well. 

Journal of Developmental Psychology, .2010, Vol. 46, No. 6.

The mean level of victimization experienced due ot LGBT status in school was significantly different for boys and girls - with boys experiencing greater amounts of victimization at school. However both victimized groups experienced similar negative psychological adjustment (measured in depression and life satisfaction)

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