Supporting Research

LGBTQ+ Students’ Struggles Hidden Behind National Averages

A positive reception from a welcoming and confirming community is a vital part of crafting and accepting one’s identity. If members of underserved communities can find support and encouragement in the circles in which they interact, higher levels of self-esteem and happiness in members of these communities can be observed.¹ Conversely, if we are unable to focus on and provide support to underrepresented groups, such as students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning (LGBTQ+), this could lead to long-lasting issues such as depression and anxiety.²

This research seeks to uncover trends in high school students who identify as LGBTQ+ regarding their emotional, physical, and mental wellness from 2015 and 2017.

Data represented was analyzed from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).³ The YRBSS is a national survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) every two years, developed in the early ’90s to help monitor health behaviors and trends among 9th through 12th-grade students. Although the CDC has collected hundreds of thousands of entries of data over the past three decades, the survey did not start collecting data on Sexual Orientation, which the study references as sexual identity, until 2015 (fig. 1). They have yet to include specific questions regarding gender identity, gender expression, sexual attraction, romantic preference, or provide non-binary options.

The percentages may seem low, and the viewer of this research could question the statistical significance of the trends reported. There are, however, a few caveats to this train of thought. We can make a strong assumption that not all students who, or will, identify as a sexual minority self-reported on the survey. Additionally, this speaks to one of the problems for these potentially at-risk students. If we continue to de-emphasize their experiences, it could lead to more significant negative numbers. After all, these are not just percentages; they are young adults who need help and support from their community and beyond.

“I’m only 15 and I’m closeted still. Fuck, I hate my life. I want to come out, but I’m so completely hopeless. I really wish I had schizophrenia again now, at least with that I felt happy, even though it was all the side effects of mental disease. I’m at this point, I don’t wanna feel anything anymore.”

According to psychologist Erik Erikson, “adolescences go through a crisis of identity versus identity confusion.” During this period of psychological development, there is a “struggle to find a balance between developing a unique, individual identity while still being accepted and fitting in.”⁴ Young adults going through this period must determine who they want to be, and how they want to be perceived by others — which can be encouraged by hearing and seeing stories of those who have gone through similar experiences.

Students are juggling their studies, extra-curricular, sports, jobs, family, and more, all while understanding their self-identity and -realization. This concept of understanding is often more complicated for members of the queer community who might be still navigating their identity, which could be different from experiences or peers that have been around.⁵

“It was a struggle, I had a hard time figuring out who I was. I haven’t really been around people who have had the same experiences as I have, and if I have, they are just as troubled as me.”

When comparing feelings of sadness and hopelessness of heterosexual students and students who reported as a sexual minority, it is clear to see the disparity between the two groups. Within the same two years span, the report of LGBTQ+ students’ sadness and hopelessness (fig. 2) increased by over 20%, while heterosexual students saw a decrease of 7% and over a 25% decrease since 2011. The increase may seem irrelevant as there have been high and low points within the numbers collected for heterosexual students. However, the highest recorded spike in 2013 was 12% — and the growth from 2001 to 2013 is only 13%.

Although there is not enough historical data to establish a projection for sexual minority students, with an increase over double of that historically and with the current negative actions towards members of the LGBT community, we can hypothesize that this number will continue to grow.⁶

Being out as an adult is linked with positive psychosocial and developmental outcomes for young adults. However, there often has to be a feeling of comfort and safety for students to be open with their peers.⁷ Students who are thought to be LGBTQ+ could see an increased risk of being bullied. Since there are no laws in place to protect bullying outside of protected classes (religion, sex, gender, race), incidents are often not reported, and enforcing any regulations in the digital landscape is extremely difficult.

The study shows that students who are LGBTQ+ are being bullied on school property and digitally at higher rates than their heterosexual peers (fig 3). Over 50% of the total number of LGBTQ+ students reported were bullied in 2017, while only 30% of heterosexual students experienced bullying.

Students unable to turn to social groups to help tell and create their own story — due to fear of retaliation and bullying, feelings of sadness or unhappiness, or even suicide — turn to the internet to find similar stories to theirs. Over 62% of sexual minority young adults connected with other LGBTQIA+ individuals in a year prior. There is a higher likelihood of looking online for information regarding their sexuality than heterosexual students.⁸

We must do more than just monitor the situation, or sit back and keep track of the numbers to ensure they do not increase even more substantially. We must be proactive with the right approach. Numbers representing non-sexual minorities are improving, since this is a more prominent percentage, LGBTQ+ students are lost in the shadows.

Regardless if identifying as LGBTQ+ or as an Ally, we must share our stories with others. We must discover, create, and share resources that help foster a positive narrative for the queer community. We must continue to uncover the numbers hidden behind the averages by pushing for more inclusive and focused nationwide surveys. Most importantly, we must fight for laws and regulations that change how we support and educate our young adults who are still navigating their identities.

Ways to get involved

5 Things You Can Do Today To Support LGBTQ Youth | Human Rights Campaign
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Educate Your Community
We've created a number of EduGuides to accompany some of our best videos, films, books, and more. These are colorful…itgetsbetter.org

Get Involved - The Trevor Project
Want to get involved with The Trevor Project's life-saving work but don't know where to start? Click on these…www.thetrevorproject.org

PFLAG
Advocacy is a big part of the mission of PFLAG, with members and supporters working to achieve LGBTQ+ equality through…pflag.org