FROM THE LGBTQ CENTER | Approximately one-third of all LGBTQ youth drop out of high school, which is three times the national average. Past studies have shown that LGBTQ youth face a different set of challenges when going through school compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
According to a study by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 56 percent of LGBTQ youth are “out” to their immediate family and only 25 percent are “out” to their extended family.
To shed light on differences between LGBTQ and general youth populations the following study asked youth about their views of life priorities. When the HRC asked about the “one thing in their lives that they would like to change right now,” LGBTQ youth reported:
- Understanding Tolerance/Hate (18 percent)
- My Parent Family Situation (15 percent)
- Where I Live/Who I Live With (9 percent)
This was compared to their straight and cisgender peers who reported:
- Money/Debt/Finances (20 percent)
- Appearance/Weight (9 percent)
- Improving Mental Health (8 percent)
When the youth were asked to “describe the most important problem facing their lives right now” LGBTQ youth reported:
- Unaccepting families (26 percent)
- School/Bullying Problems (21 percent)
- Fear of Being Out or Open (18 percent)
In comparison, straight and cisgender peers reported:
- Classes/Exams/Grades (25 percent)
- College/Career (14 percent)
- Financial Pressures Related to College or Job (14 percent)
In looking at the students’ answers above, for LGBTQ youth, immediate problems at home surpass any other concerns they might have. Furthermore, these much larger issues may prevent them from considering similar concerns to those of their peers, as they appear to be less focused on things in their future.
One of the biggest problems that LGBTQ students face that affect their academic success is absenteeism. According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), many LGBTQ students avoid classes or miss entire days of school, rather than face a hostile school environment. An unsafe school environment denies these students their right to an education.
Approximately 29.8 percent of students skipped at least once and 31.8 percent missed at least one entire day in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Students who experienced higher levels of victimization because of their sexual orientation were three times as likely to have missed school in the past month than those who experienced lower levels (57.9 percent vs. 19.6 percent). Additionally, students who experienced higher levels of victimization because of their gender identity were more than twice as likely to have missed school in the past month than those who experienced lower levels.
Victimization in the school environment can also lead to unsuccessful outcomes for LGBTQ youth. GLSEN reported that experiencing victimization in school hinders LGBTQ students’ academic success and educational aspirations. Students who were frequently harassed due to their sexual orientation or gender identity had lower GPAs than those who were less often harassed. Students who experienced higher levels of victimization in school due to their sexual orientation or gender identity were more than twice as likely to report that they did not plan to pursue any post-secondary education (i.e. college or trade school) than those who experienced lower level forms of harassment.
Support from Parents is Vital
Acceptance from family in adolescence is connected to young adult positive health outcomes such as higher levels of reported self-esteem, social support, and general health and is protective for negative health outcomes such as depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and attempts
Parental support has also been shown to directly impact a student’s GPA likelihood of high school graduation, and higher education degree attainment. It is vital to recognize the importance of supportive social networks for LGBTQ students, especially within their own families. Due to the fact that disclosure of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity may cause distress within the family setting and relationships with parents may become strained, it is important to support the mending of these relationships in efforts to reduce isolation, achieve goals in life, and enhance the students’ overall well-being. If families or communities fail to provide support to students with either an LGBTQ or questioning orientation, they will more likely exhibit feelings of depressed mood, be suicidal and drug users.
Local school districts such as Long Beach Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District are lending their support by means of providing Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs on campus and new programs such as the Coming Out for Safe Schools Campaign. Although school districts are showing support, as direct-service in the LGBTQ community, we emphasize the importance of the child/parent (caregiver) relationship as a fundamental necessity to see students succeed in school.
What can parents do?
According to Advocates for Youth there are 10 things that a parent can do to be supportive of their LGBTQ child:
- Engage with your child
- Go back to school
- Get to know the community
- Explore the internet
- Find out where your local Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets
- Don’t make it all there is
- Ask your child before you “come out” to others on their behalf
- Praise your LGBTQ child for coming to you to discuss an issue
- Find out what kind of support, services, and education are in place at your child’s school
- Educate yourself on local, state and national laws and policies regarding LGBTQ people
Susanna Zoeckler is the Client Services Coordinator at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. Since graduate school Susanna has developed an interest in working with the LGBTQ population and strives to be an advocate within the community. She also has a desire to bridge the various economic gaps in society through promoting higher education degree attainment, particularly with diverse oppressed populations.