A new report examines the realities facing LGBTQ youth as they reveal their sexual orientation and gender identities.
The report focuses on the growing number of children who come out before turning 13. They face more victimization and discrimination than their older peers, as well as more ideas of suicide and suicide attempts.
In recognition of National Coming Out Day (October 11), the Trevor Project, a 24/7 resource for LGBTQ young people, has released a report exploring the association between the age at which LGBTQ youth come out about their sexual orientation, and suicide risk.
The brief’s primary findings are:
- LGBTQ youth are coming out about their sexual orientation at younger ages.
- LGBTQ youth who came out before age 13 had increased odds of suicide risk.
- LGBTQ youth who came out about their sexual orientation before age 13 reported higher rates of victimization due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- LGBTQ youth who came out about their sexual orientation before age 13 and experienced victimization reported higher rates of attempting suicide compared to LGBTQ
youth who came out before age 13 but did not experience victimization. - LGBTQ youth who came out about their sexual orientation before age 13 and had high family support reported lower rates of attempting suicide in the past year.
- LGBTQ youth who came out about their sexual orientation two or more years after first thinking they might be LGBTQ had a 56% increased odds of attempting suicide
in the past year.”
Download a copy of the brief here:
<https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/October-2022-Research-Brief-Final.pdf> or
<https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/age-of-sexual-orientation-outness-and-suicide-risk-oct-2022/>
