Youth pride

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Youth pride, an extension of the Gay pride and LGBT social movements, promotes equality amongst young members (usually above the age of consent) of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ+) community. [1] The movement exists in many countries and focuses mainly on festivals and parades, enabling many LGBTIQ+ youth to network, communicate, and celebrate their gender and sexual identities. [1]

Contents

Background

Gay and lesbian youth bear an increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, school problems, and isolation because of a "hostile and condemning environment, verbal and physical abuse, rejection and isolation from family and peers". [2] [3] Further, LGBTIQ+ youths are more likely to report psychological and physical abuse by parents or caretakers, and more sexual abuse. Suggested reasons for this disparity are that (1) LGBTIQ+ youths may be specifically targeted on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender non-conforming appearance, and (2) "risk factors associated with sexual minority status, including discrimination, invisibility, and rejection by family members...may lead to an increase in behaviors that are associated with risk for victimization, such as substance abuse, sex with multiple partners, or running away from home as a teenager." [4] A 2008 study showed a correlation between the degree of rejecting behavior by parents of LGBTIQ+ adolescents and negative health problems in the teenagers studied. [5] Crisis centers in larger cities and information sites on the Internet have arisen to help youth and adults. [6] The Trevor Helpline, a suicide prevention helpline for LGBTIQ+ youth, was established by the filmmakers following the 1998 airing on HBO of the Academy Award winning short film Trevor ; Daniel Radcliffe donated a large sum to the group and has appeared in service ads for them condemning homophobia. [7]

According to a 2007 report "of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. [8]

Overview

Youth Pride organizers point to the value in building community and supporting young people as they are more likely to get gay bashed and bullied. [9] [10] Schools that have a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) handle issues of discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ youth better than schools that do not because they help develop community and coping skills and give students a safe-space to get health and safety information. [11] [12] Sometimes the groups avoid labelling young people and instead let them identify themselves on their own terms "when they feel safe". [13]

At larger pride parades and festivals there are often LGBTIQ+ or queer youth contingents, and some festivals designate safe-spaces for young people to provide safety and security. [14] [15] [16]

List of youth pride events

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay–straight alliance</span> Student groups supporting LGBT youth

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Think Before You Speak (campaign)</span> LGBT support campaign

The Think Before You Speak campaign is a television, radio, and magazine advertising campaign launched in 2008 and developed to raise awareness of the common use of derogatory vocabulary among youth towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people. It also aims to "raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBTQ bias and behaviour in America's schools." As LGBTQ people have become more accepted in the mainstream culture, more studies have confirmed that they are one of the most targeted groups for harassment and bullying. An "analysis of 14 years of hate crime data" by the FBI found that gays and lesbians, or those perceived to be gay, "are far more likely to be victims of a violent hate crime than any other minority group in the United States". "As Americans become more accepting of LGBT people, the most extreme elements of the anti-gay movement are digging in their heels and continuing to defame gays and lesbians with falsehoods that grow more incendiary by the day," said Mark Potok, editor of the Intelligence Report. "The leaders of this movement may deny it, but it seems clear that their demonization of gays and lesbians plays a role in fomenting the violence, hatred and bullying we're seeing." Because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, nearly half of LGBTQ students have been physically assaulted at school. The campaign takes positive steps to counteract hateful and anti-gay speech that LGBTQ students experience in their daily lives in hopes to de-escalate the cycle of hate speech/harassment/bullying/physical threats and violence.

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Research has found that attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) youth are significantly higher than among the general population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education and the LGBT community</span>

Historically speaking, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people have not been given equal treatment and rights by both governmental actions and society's general opinion. Much of the intolerance for LGBT individuals come from lack of education around the LGBT community, and contributes to the stigma that results in same-sex marriage being legal in few countries (31) and persistence of discrimination, such as in the workplace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of LGBTQ topics</span>

The following outline offers an overview and guide to LGBTQ topics:

In the United States, LGBT youth of colour are marginalized adolescents in the LGBT community. Social issues include homelessness; cyberbullying; physical, verbal and sexual abuse; suicide; drug addiction; street violence; immigration surveillance; engagement in high-risk sexual activity; self-harm, and depression. The rights of LGBT youth of colour are reportedly not addressed in discussions of sexuality and race in the larger context of LGBT rights.

LGBTQ psychology is a field of psychology of surrounding the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, in the particular the diverse range of psychological perspectives and experiences of these individuals. It covers different aspects such as identity development including the coming out process, parenting and family practices and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as issues of prejudice and discrimination involving the LGBTQ community.

Due to the increased vulnerability that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth face compared to their non-LGBT peers, there are notable differences in the mental and physical health risks tied to the social interactions of LGBT youth compared to the social interactions of heterosexual youth. Youth of the LGBT community experience greater encounters with not only health risks, but also violence and bullying, due to their sexual orientation, self-identification, and lack of support from institutions in society.

People who are LGBT are significantly more likely than those who are not to experience depression, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lisa Neff, Pride by Many Other Names: Whether it's a Dyke March, Black Gay Pride, or a Youth Rally, Gay Men and Lesbians are Finding New Ways to Celebrate Their Diversity". The Advocate, June 25, 2002. 25 June 2002. pp. 50–55.
  2. ↑ Gibson, P. (1989), "Gay and Lesbian Youth Suicide", in Fenleib, Marcia R. (ed.), Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide, United States Government Printing Office, ISBN   0-16-002508-7
  3. ↑ Affairs (ASPA), Assistant Secretary for Public (2019-09-24). "LGBTQ Youth". StopBullying.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  4. ↑ Balsam, Kimberly F.; Esther D. Rothblum (June 2005). "Victimization Over the Life Span: A Comparison of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Siblings" (PDF). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 73 (3): 477–487. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.477. PMID   15982145.
  5. ↑ Ryan, Caitlin; David Huebner; Rafael M. Diaz; Jorge Sanchez (January 2009). "Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults". Pediatrics. 123 (1): 346–352. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3524. PMID   19117902. S2CID   33361972.
  6. ↑ Caruso, Kevin, "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Suicide", Suicide.org, retrieved 2007-05-04
  7. ↑ ""Daniel Radcliffe to appear in anti-homophobia ad: Daniel Radcliffe will appear in a public service announcement to condemn homophobia."". Pink News. 1 March 2010.
  8. ↑ Nicholas Ray, Colby Berger, Susan Boyle, Mary Jo Callan, Mia White, Grace McCelland, Theresa Nolan, "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness", National Gay And Lesbian Task Force, National Coalition for The Homeless, January 30, 2007.
  9. ↑ Bockenek, et al, pages 49-53.
  10. ↑ "Guide to the Youth Pride, Inc. Records". Washington D.C. 14 December 2016.
  11. ↑ Bockenek, et al, pages 110-115.
  12. ↑ "What is a GSA club?". GSA Network. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  13. ↑ Steph McKenna, "Diversity spotlight: Youth Pride Inc.", The Providence Journal, August 22, 2010.
  14. ↑ S.D.Liddick (June 2005). "A Church Divided". San Diego Magazine, June 2005. pp. 109–113.
  15. ↑ Inside Pride, San Francisco Pride Guide, pages, pages 40-42, June 2010.
  16. ↑ "Tips To Stay Safe during PRIDE". NYC Anti-Violence Project. 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  17. ↑ Ethan Jacobs, "Mitt Romney's secret gay history!", Bay Windows, March 3, 2005.
  18. ↑ "Dyer Appointed as District LGBT Director", District Chronicles, September 9, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Youth Pride Alliance – The DC Center for the LGBT Community" . Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  20. ↑ "Gingrich to speak at Gay Youth Pride Day", press release at Salon.com
  21. ↑ "Youth gay, lesbian event set for city", Rutland Herald, May 1, 2009.
  22. ↑ Steve Desroches (3 September 2002). "They Want U: A College Fair in Boston Helps Connect Gay and Lesbian Students With Schools Who Want Them On Campus". The Advocate, Sept. 3, 2002. p. 36.
  23. ↑ Smith Galtney, "All Together Now: A New Chorus for GLBT Youth Prepares a Holiday Concert in New York", page 50, Out, December 2003.
  24. ↑ Travis D. Bone, "San Diego schools observe Day of Silence: National event aims to make schools safer", Gay & Lesbian Times, April 15, 2004.
  25. ↑ "Join Us for Day of Silence on April 24, 2020 and Support LGBTQ Students!". GLSEN. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  26. ↑ Terri Blackwell, Carolyn Mathews and Melissa Winder, "Groups chant their opinions at 10 protests", White County News Telegraph, March 10, 2005.
  27. ↑ "LGBT Chicago Year in Review", Windy City Times, December 29, 2007.
  28. ↑ "Utah Pride Center hosts LGBT homeless youth event", Associated Press, 8 July 2009.
  29. ↑ "Homelessness & Housing | Youth.gov". youth.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  30. ↑ Steve La, "Hollywood Youth Pride Hopes To Help Young People In L.A.", LA Weekly, August 23, 2010.
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