Healthy, Happy, and Gay

Healthy, Happy, and Gay: Gay Youth and their Particular Health Issues: An analysis of Gay and Lesbian Youth and the Effects on their Personal Health.

On the subject of growing up gay in an anti-gay world, I speak with some authority. I came out of the closet at the age of seventeen, in a time and place before Ellen, before RuPaul, before the 1993 March on Washington, before I knew of or conceived that another gay person actually existed in the rest of the world. It is a very isolating experience, and led me through some dark corridors of behaviors and situations I would rather have avoided. Now that I am older and have not only found my community, but have studied the topic from an academic and anthropological point of view, I understand now that not only was I not alone, despite my desperate feelings of loneliness, but there were likely several other teens who felt exactly the same way right in my own community. Even today, after Ellen, there are some places and communities where homosexuality is denied, and teens are left alone to feel isolated, and suffer the devastating effects of these emotions on their health and general well-being. Something should be done to reach out to them, the way I was finally reached in college, through support networks and social gatherings and political efforts that gave me the sense of purpose and belonging I missed all throughout my high school years.

Sexuality is one of the main issues in a young person’s life. Teenagers who are coming into adulthood are experiencing sexual urges for the first time in their lives, and each one is struggling to make sense of these feelings and how they fit into their larger perspective of who they are. For heterosexuals, it is relatively easier to come to terms with these issues, as they are regularly addressed through the appropriate means, such as sex education. For homosexual youth, their own issues are largely ignored or condemned by society, and these teens are left to struggle with these feelings of deviance on their own. The results are well-documented if not adequately studied: suicide, HIV infection, depression, anti-social behavior, loneliness, rape or sexual abuse, and drug and alcohol addiction are all common symptoms of adolescents who question their sexuality or display outward signs of homosexuality.

Stressors related to isolation, stigma, and violence may predispose homosexual adolescents to impaired social, emotional, and physical health, resulting in depression and suicide, school problems, substance abuse, running away eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, and illegal conduct. As with all adolescents, the overall goals in the care of homosexual youth are to promote normal adolescent development, social and emotional well-being, and physical health. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is required to address medical, mental health, and psychosocial issues within the context of the adolescents' community and culture. (Stronski Huwiler & Remafedi 1998)

Homosexuality has long been a major issue in the culture wars. Some people believe and insist that homosexuality is a choice, and thereby influenced by culture and society. Others believe that it is an inherited genetic trait and should be treated with no more deference than left-handedness or color-blindness. Whichever of these opinions you favor, the fact is that homosexuality appears in every culture, and in every type of family style, regardless of upbringing or social constructs. Adult homosexuals who have isolated themselves tend to find a community of like-minded individuals and congregate in vocations and recreational activities that encourage acceptance, and so therefore have created a sub-culture of their own. Teenagers, on the other hand, rarely have the opportunity to feel like they are a member of any culture, least of all the one they are brought up in. Minority cultures tend to have less tolerance for homosexuality, and so children of these families tend to fall into the same pattern of isolation as those of the dominant culture.

To date, relatively little research has been conducted regarding gay and lesbian youth, due in part to our culture’s debate regarding the authenticity of some of these claims. Some statistics, however, have been accumulated that demonstrate the adverse effects of homosexuality and its treatment by our culture on those who are very young and dealing with this issue. The following is a collection of statistics from the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (as cited on GLSEN 2009):

• 97 % of students in public high schools report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers
• 53% of students report hearing homophobic comments made by school staff
• 80% of prospective teachers report negative attitudes toward gay and lesbian people
• Two-thirds of guidance counselors harbor negative feelings toward gay and lesbian people
• 11.5% of gay and lesbian youth report being physically attacked by family members
• 42% of homeless youth self-identify as gay/lesbian
• Homosexuals are probably the most frequent victims [of hate crimes] in the U.S.
• 45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians report having experienced verbal harassment and/or physical violence as a result of their sexual orientation during high school
• 42% of adolescent lesbians and 34% of adolescent gay males who have suffered physical attack also attempt suicide
• 30% of gay and bisexual adolescent males attempt suicide at least once
• 83% of adolescent lesbians use alcohol, 56% use other drugs, and 11% use crack and/or cocaine
• 68% of adolescent gay males use alcohol, 44% use other drugs
• 53% of students report hearing homophobic comments made by school staff.
The following statistics are from the website, “Creating Safe Schools for Lesbian and Gay Students: A resource guide for school staff.” (Youth Pride, Inc. 1997)
• 28% of gay and lesbian high school students in a national study were seen to have dropped out of school because of harassment resulting from their sexual orientation.
• Approximately 20% of all persons with AIDS are 20-29 years old; given the long latency period between infection and the onset of the disease, many were probably infected as teenagers.

There has always been a debate over statistics concerning homosexuality, but even by the most conservative estimates, there is always a likely chance that one of your students in every class will be gay, bi, or questioning. “Researchers and social scientists suggest that 1 to 3 of every 10 students is either gay or lesbian, or has an immediate family member who is. Thus, between 3 and 9 kids in every class of 30 has had some direct experience with the issues of homosexuality and homophobia.” (Youth Pride, Inc. 1997) One can surmise from these statistics that there is a statistical likelihood that adolescents who identify as homosexuals have a unique vulnerability to certain health problems that their heterosexual counterparts may experience to a lesser degree. It begs the question why hasn’t more been done to counteract this trend?

Sexuality among teenagers and the related health concerns are addressed on the list of health goals on the website “Healthy People 2010” (2009). There is evidence that while all teenagers are in need of projects to address these issues, there would be an added advantage of addressing the singular issues of homosexuality in an effort to provide comprehensive coverage and preventative measures to address the related health concerns. The following is a list of specific health goals that are in some way directly related to the issue of sexual orientation, and would greatly benefit from programs that addressed this issue:

• Increase the proportion of young adults who have received formal instruction before turning age 18 years on reproductive health issues, including all of the following topics: birth control methods, safer sex to prevent HIV, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and abstinence.
• Reduce the number of new AIDS cases among adolescent and adult men who have sex with men.
• Increase the proportion of sexually active persons who use condoms.
• Reduce the annual rate of rape or attempted rape.
• Reduce the rate of suicide attempts by adolescents.
• Reduce the proportion of persons engaging in binge drinking of alcoholic beverages.

If a community or school is serious about addressing these issues to prevent undesirable health effects stemming from issues of sexual orientation in young people, they first have to agree as a community to step back from judgment and take a positive approach to gay and lesbian youth and their support. The following is a list of steps that any responsible adult in the community can take on their own to provide a safe school environment for those who are struggling with these issues:

1. Make no assumption about sexuality. If a student has not used a pronoun when discussing a relationship, don't assume one.
2. Have something gay-related visible in your office. A sticker, a poster, a flyer, a brochure, a book, a button…
3. Support, normalize and validate students' feelings about their sexuality. Let them know that you are there for them.
4. Do not advise youth to come out to parents, family and friends as they need to come out at their own safe pace. Studies show as many as 26% of gay youth are forced to leave their home after they tell their parents.
5. Guarantee confidentiality with students. Students need to know their privacy will be respected or they will not be honest about this important issue.
6. Challenge homophobia. As a role model for your students, respond to homophobia immediately and sincerely.
7. Combat heterosexism in your classroom. Include visibly gay and lesbian role models in your classroom.
8. Learn about and refer to community organizations.
9. Encourage school administrators to adopt and enforce anti-discrimination policies for their schools or school systems which include sexual orientation.
10. Provide role models. Gay and straight students benefit from having openly gay teachers, coaches and administration. (Youth Pride, Inc. 1997)

Adolescents should be made aware that they always have avenues of support whenever they have a concern about their sexuality or any of the related health issues. Even though the locations and phone numbers for these hotlines and/or support centers might be readily available online for any young person to find, they should be made overtly aware that they exist, and they should be encouraged to explore and discover the types of resources available to them at all times. An example of a neighborhood safe spot is “The Hillcrest Youth Center”, which is an organization in San Diego that is “committed to providing a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ youth to be proud of who they are and the freedom to discover who they might become.” (2009) There are also hotlines, such as the “GLBT National Youth Talkline” sponsored by the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender) National Help Center. These are both resources that should be introduced to all teenagers, regardless of their perceived sexuality, in case any of them might not be showing signs that they are dealing with some major concerns regarding their own or a friend’s sexual identity.

As a teacher of music, I have a unique opportunity to help provide some positive role models for gay and lesbian students. Information and disclosure about famous homosexuals in music, such as Aaron Copeland, Franz Schubert, and Leonard Bernstein, can have a positive effect on gay and lesbian youth who might not be aware of specific role models. Having role models can provide a source for better self-esteem, as well as the knowledge that despite their adversity, gays and lesbians have been able to make a name for themselves and be successful.

The argument that sexual orientation can be directly linked to unhealthful behaviors is made in the “Journal of Homosexuality, by A. Damien Martin and Emery S. Hetrick, (1988). “Homosexually oriented youth are victims of a society-wide process of stigmatization that has negative social, economic, and emotional effects on its victims.” (ibid, p. 181)Their main point is that the social stigmatization of homosexuals and the resulting isolation can manifest itself in self-destructive behavior like suicide or promiscuity, as well as drawing external damaging influences such as abuse. The first and most immediate effect of social isolation is an internalization of the sexual issues. “Social isolation, with its consequent emotional and social pressure, seems to be of a paramount importance in adolescent promiscuity, especially among gay males…His obsessive concern with his sexual orientation, which results from his fear of disclosure, is transformed into an obsessive concern for sexual behavior.” (ibid, p. 171) Fear is the key emotion found in this equation, and fear of peers and socialization can be a destructive social malady that can result in “…signs of clinical depression—pervasive loss of pleasure, feelings of sadness, change of appetite, sleep disturbance, slowing of thought, lowered self-esteem with increased self-criticism and self-blame, and strongly expressed feelings of guilt and failure.” (ibid, p. 172)

They assert that the problem lies mainly with the professionals who are responsible for the social conditioning of the adolescents, namely, the teachers. “Lack of training, personal attitudes toward homosexuality, and the fear that teachers and other professionals have of addressing the issue, all affect the professional behavior of teachers and others in the educational setting.” (ibid, p. 179) As the above website has established, a positive approach that includes teenagers of all sexual orientations is one in which students of divergent sexuality can thrive and feel better about themselves, and perhaps avoid unhealthy behaviors. “Education and training about sexuality, including information about homosexuality, should be directed toward both homosexually and heterosexually oriented youngsters.” (ibid, p. 178)

Not many people are willing to concede the urgent health concerns that are directly related to sexual orientation, particularly among school aged adolescents. A conservatism that pervades the social and educational policies have been inclined to ignore the problem, lest they appear to be encouraging what they deem to be “immoral” behavior by addressing it openly. Meanwhile, they are simultaneously perpetuating the problem by the very fact that they are ignoring it. Nothing can be done to stop the emergence of gay youth from every diverse sample of the population, but something can and should be done to make sure that their own unique health issues are addressed. These are future citizens whose health and well-being effects us all, and we need to do our part as a community to make sure that they are met with a positive support system and programs that identify and address their unique needs.


References:
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, (2009) retrieved from http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html on November 16, 2009
Martin, A. Damien and Hetrick, Emery S. The Stigmatization of the Gay and Lesbian Adolescent, Journal of Homosexuality, 15: 1, May 1988, 163 — 183
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2009) Healthy People 2010, retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/default.htm on November 16, 2009
Stronski Huwiler SM, Remafedi G. (no date) Adolescent homosexuality. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9742300 on November 16. 2009
Youth Pride, Inc. (1997) Creating Safe Schools for Lesbian and Gay Students:
A resource guide for school staff. Retrieved from http://www.members.tripod.com/~twood/guide.html on November 16, 2009