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Working Effectively with LGBTQ Youth

Working Effectively with LGBTQ Youth. Colby Berger, Ed.M., LCSW Colby.berger@gmail.com Data herein adapted from MYRBS, Carol Goodenow, 2007. Goals. Establish common knowledge base to understand: Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (LGBTQ) youth

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Working Effectively with LGBTQ Youth

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  1. Working Effectively with LGBTQ Youth Colby Berger, Ed.M., LCSW Colby.berger@gmail.com Data herein adapted from MYRBS, Carol Goodenow, 2007

  2. Goals • Establish common knowledge base to understand: • Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (LGBTQ) youth • Impact of homophobic environments on LGBTQ youth in creating risk • How to create safer spaces & foster resilience

  3. Listening to LGBTQ Youth What themes do you hear in these youth voices? What do these youth want (from the adults in their lives, their peers, etc.)?

  4. Thinking About Gender as More than just Man/Woman Beyond the Binary

  5. Spectrums of Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation • Biological Sex: Male----------Intersex---------Female • Gender Identity: Male---------Gender Queer------Female • Gender Expression: Masculine----Androgenous----Feminine • Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual---Bisexual---Gay/Lesbian

  6. Components of Sexual Orientation • Identity – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Straight (sometimes differs public vs. private) • Behavior – Who one has sexual relationships with • Desire – Who one is attracted to

  7. Come Out, Then What? • Youth coming out as LGBT younger then ever before • In the1980’s, average age was 21 • Now the average age of self-identification is 13.4 • Discussions now gearing toward middle school Gay-Straight Alliances as kids are questioning and coming out more in middle schools • 50% gay male youth rejected by parents • Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT

  8. An Epidemic of Anti-LGBT Harassment & Violence in Schools • Verbal Harassment, Safety and Performance (GLSEN 2008; N=6000+) • 86% experience first hand verbal harassment • 74% hear “faggot” or “dyke” frequently or often • 61% feel physically unsafe at school • 33% report skipping school due to feeling unsafe • Grade point averages are approximately half a grade lower among LGBT youth (2.4 vs. 2.8)

  9. RISK FACTORS Internal conflict re: sexual orientation Not coming out to anyone Family rejection Poor family connectedness Abuse within family Previous suicide attempt(s) Pressure to conform to gender norms Lack of adult caring Unsafe school Victimization PROTECTIVE FACTORS Positive Role Model(s) Connection to GLBT peers & community Strong Self-Esteem Parental Support Family connectedness Safe School/Gay-Straight Alliance Access to GLBT resources 1 or more caring adult(s) Supportive Peers Sense of Community GLBT Risk and Protective Factors

  10. Among sexual minority youth, the ability to talk to “a teacher or other adult if you have a problem” results in: • Fewer suicide attempts • Lower rates of being threatened in school • Less dating violence • Fewer daily smokers • Less drug use • Fewer sexual partners

  11. Family Acceptance Project Highly rejected youth were: • More than 8x as likely to have attempted suicide • Nearly 6x as likely to report high levels of depression • More than 3x as likely to use illegal drugs • More than 3x as likely to be at high risk for HIV and other STDs (http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/home)

  12. Family Acceptance Project, data comparison Youth whose families were moderately rejecting: • 2x as likely to attempt suicide (vs. 8x) • Illegal drug use and risk for HIV/STD is cut in half when families are moderately (as opposed to highly) rejecting Youth from families who supported them had better overall health & mental health, higher self-esteem, less likely to be depressed, to use illegal drugs or to think about or try to commit suicide.

  13. Engaging Families is Essential! • Family rejection has serious physical & mental health outcomes for GLBT youth. • A little bit of change in how families respond to their GLBT children can make a big difference in their child’s health & well being. • Families don’t have to change their values or beliefs to provide support for GLBT child. Very religious families can support & accept their GLBT children. • Family guidance/intervention is essential to help maintain GLBT youth in their homes. To strengthen families & improve outcomes, engage families!

  14. Parental Behaviors that Promote Greatest Risk • Physical or verbal abuse related to GLBT identity • Exclude/distance youth from family & family activities • Block access to GLBT friends, activities & resources • Blame youth for GLBT discrimination they experience • Pressure youth to be more gender conforming • Tell youth that they will bring shame to the family • Make youth keep GLBT identity a secret in the family and not let them talk about it.

  15. Parental Behaviors that Promote Well Being • Talk with youth about their GLBT identity • Express affection when youth comes out • Welcome GLBT friends & partners • Participate in activities that protest homophobia • Make positive comments about GLBT issues • Believe child can have happy future as GLBT adult • Volunteer & support GLBT organizations • Connect child with GLBT events & role models • Support gender expression

  16. Anyone & Everyone Documentary film in which families share their stories about how they learned and responded to having a lesbian daughter or gay son. (www.ironzeal.com)

  17. It Gets Better! THE PLEDGE: We are the kids who have been bullied for being gay, lesbian, bi or trans. We pledge to stay open and strong. We are also the friends, family members, teachers, mentors, and allies of anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in, gay or straight. We pledge to talk to the kids in our lives to put an end to the hate, violence, and tragedy — and to offer advice on coping, strategies to make it better, and to remind kids that It Gets Better. http://www.itgetsbetterproject.com/

  18. Creating Safety: You can make a difference! Young people who have at least one trustworthy and supportive adult in their life are more likely to make healthy choices and stay in school. • Don’t assume everyone is heterosexual or that you can guess their gender identity. Assume that you are working with GLBT youth and adults whether they come out to you or not. • Say the words gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender more often.

  19. Action to Creating Safety for GLBTQ Youth • Host ongoing staff training on GLBTQ youth issues • Ensure that your employer’s policies on harassment & non-discrimination include sexual orientation and gender identity & expression • Use inclusive language: ex. partner, significant other, parents, people/folks (instead of husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, mom/dad, ladies/gentlemen) • Start a Gay-Straight Alliance or other safe space specifically for GLBTQ youth

  20. Action to Creating Safety • Use a young person’s chosen name and pronoun even if you’ve previously known him or her by a different one. • Train staff & practice how to respond when a young person comes out as GLBTQ • Interrupt homophobia (ex.“that’s so gay”) • Create opportunities where youth can talk about sexuality and gender identity free of judgment. • Post something GLBT related in a visible place in your office/work place

  21. Local & National Resources • Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) www.glsen.org - School resources for students & educators • Boston Alliance for Gay & Lesbian Youth (BAGLY)www.bagly.org - Youth group led by and for LGBTQ youth (meets Wed evenings in Boston & other chapters around MA) • Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services: www.bostonglass.org - Drop in center for LGBTQ youth • Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG): www.pgflag.org - Support groups & resources for families of LGBT people • Ambiente Joven - www.ambientejoven.org - Spanish language site for Latino/a LGBTQ youth on sexual health issues • Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition - www.masstpc.org - Offers trans resources & a youth organizing listserv • Youth Resource - www.amplifyyourvoice.org - Website created by and for LGBTQ youth on sexual health & issues of concern to LGBTQ youth • Gay & Lesbian Youth Support Project Resource Listing- www.hcsm/glys/resources.org - Comprehensive list of LGBTQ resources on: education, faith based orgs, hotlines, legal issues, policy, healthcare, homelessness, mental health, trans issues, substance abuse, GSAs etc. by Healthcare of Southeastern MA

  22. LGBT Resources (Legal) • Lambda Legal: www.lambdalegal.org • Sylvia Rivera Law Project: www.slrp.org • Focuses on transgender issues and the law • Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: www.glad.org • National Center for Lesbian Rights: www.nclrights.org

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