Facts - The reason we are here
- While approximately 3 to 5 percent of the total U.S. population identifies as gay or lesbian, up to 40 percent of 1.6 million youth who run away or are homeless each year identify as LGBT. In other words, LGBT youth are grossly overrepresented in the homeless youth population.
- 50 percent of LGBT teens experienced a negative reaction from their parents when they came out and 26 percent were kicked out of their homes. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Another study found that more than one-third of youth who are homeless or in the care of social services experienced a violent physical assault when they came out,5 which can lead to youth leaving a shelter or foster home because they actually feel safer on the streets. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the fact that LGBT youth live in “a society that discriminates against and stigmatizes homosexuals” makes them more vulnerable to mental health issues than heterosexual youth. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- LGBT youth face victimization everywhere: at home, at school, at their jobs, and for those who are out-of-home, their shelters and the streets. According to the National Runway Switchboard, LGBT homeless youth are seven times more likely than their heterosexual peers to be victims of a crime. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Up to 55% of transgender people attempt suicide at least one time throughout their life. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Students who describe themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered are five times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe. 28% are forced to drop out. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- The vast majority of victims of anti-lesbian/gay violence - possibly more than 80% - never report the incident, often due to fear of being "outed." New York Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project Annual Report, 1996.
- 85% of teachers oppose integrating lesbian, gay and bisexual themes in their curricula. "Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Report of the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth," 1993.
- Due to sexual orientation discrimination, lesbians earn up to 14% less than their heterosexual female peers with similar jobs, education, age and residence, according to a study by the University of Maryland. Badgett, M.V. Lee, "The Wage Effects of Sexual Orientation Discrimination," Industrial and Labor Relations Review, July 1995.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are at a three-four times higher risk for suicide than their straight peers. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- A survey of 191 employers revealed that 18% would fire, 27% would refuse to hire and 26% would refuse to promote a person they perceived to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. Schatz and O'Hanlan, "Anti-Gay Discrimination in Medicine: Results of a National Survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Physicians," San Francisco, 1994.
- 50 percent of LGBT teens experienced a negative reaction from their parents when they came out and 26 percent were kicked out of their homes. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Another study found that more than one-third of youth who are homeless or in the care of social services experienced a violent physical assault when they came out,5 which can lead to youth leaving a shelter or foster home because they actually feel safer on the streets. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the fact that LGBT youth live in “a society that discriminates against and stigmatizes homosexuals” makes them more vulnerable to mental health issues than heterosexual youth. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- LGBT youth face victimization everywhere: at home, at school, at their jobs, and for those who are out-of-home, their shelters and the streets. According to the National Runway Switchboard, LGBT homeless youth are seven times more likely than their heterosexual peers to be victims of a crime. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Up to 55% of transgender people attempt suicide at least one time throughout their life. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- Students who describe themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered are five times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe. 28% are forced to drop out. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- The vast majority of victims of anti-lesbian/gay violence - possibly more than 80% - never report the incident, often due to fear of being "outed." New York Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project Annual Report, 1996.
- 85% of teachers oppose integrating lesbian, gay and bisexual themes in their curricula. "Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Report of the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth," 1993.
- Due to sexual orientation discrimination, lesbians earn up to 14% less than their heterosexual female peers with similar jobs, education, age and residence, according to a study by the University of Maryland. Badgett, M.V. Lee, "The Wage Effects of Sexual Orientation Discrimination," Industrial and Labor Relations Review, July 1995.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are at a three-four times higher risk for suicide than their straight peers. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, www.thetaskforce.org
- A survey of 191 employers revealed that 18% would fire, 27% would refuse to hire and 26% would refuse to promote a person they perceived to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. Schatz and O'Hanlan, "Anti-Gay Discrimination in Medicine: Results of a National Survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Physicians," San Francisco, 1994.
