Lindsey Garzajohanson, MAED, ABSNP, LEP Alvord Unified School

Transcription

Lindsey Garzajohanson, MAED, ABSNP, LEP
Alvord Unified School District School Psychologist
American Board Certified School Neuropsychologist
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Independent Research Analyst
Lgarzajohanson@gmail.com or (951) 224-4798

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual: Have a romantic
inclination toward the same sex
Transgender: Identify as the opposite sex
and may present themselves as such
Questioning: Going through the process of
figuring out whether they are gay or
straight; typically because they may have
felt same-sex attraction.
Intersex: Born with male and female traits
Asexual: Are not sexually oriented
What issues do you think each of these students
have dealt with or may deal with in the future?

Revido: 16 y-o gay Latino male
Jade: 15 y-o Asian lesbian
Cameron Joel: 16 y-o Christian MtF
Katie: 13 y-o bisexual Mormon female
Sam: 14 y-o Catholic Latina intersex
DJ: 17 y-o Caucasian male asexual
Kerry: 12 y-o Black male questioning sexuality

Surviving the Coming Out Process
Victimization
Poor Self-Worth
Rejection & Loss of Supports
Poor School Success
Running Away & Homelessness
Foster Care & Adoption
Depression
Suicidiality
Self-Medication
Mental Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Other Related Health Factors
Sexual Harassment & Work Place Discrimination

Self-acceptance
› Overcoming denial and worthlessness

Overcoming internalized fears
› Social and family stressors

Self-disclosure
› Family, friends, and community

Self-identification
› Sexual orientation, gender identity & expression

Connecting with the LGBTQIA community
› Increasing meaningful supports and involvement

Report more bullying, homophobic
victimization, unexcused absences from
school, drug use, feelings of depression,
and suicidal behaviors than either
straight or LGB students

Identifying as the opposite gender
Coping with physical changes in puberty
When and how to transition
Dating and self-disclosure
Sex and gender discrimination
Surviving the astoundingly high rates of
harassment and victimization
Enduring loss while appreciating new gains
Suppressing suicidal ideation or self-harm as
a coping mechanism

Dealing with physical differences and changes
in adolescence
Identifying intersex as a gender; or electing to
fit into a boy or girl box
Identifying sexual interest in terms of sexual
orientation or an intersex identity
Potential parental rejection of self-identified sex
and self-disclosure to others
Dealing with the consequence of sterilization
Deciding to undergo surgical altering
Sex discrimination based on conformity to
stereotypes
Identifying as asexual in adolescence
Identifying a romantic inclination, or not.
Date or not to date?
Teaching partners that intimacy for the
asexual is defined by exclusivity; not sex.
Engaging in physical intimacy via time,
touch and talk (3 T’s) with sexual partners
Antipathy associated with sexual arousal
Coping with frequent loss of relationships

8 of 10 students had been verbally harassed at
school; with 53% of students hearing
homophobic comments from school staff
4 of 10 had been physically harassed; including
assault with a weapon
6 of 10 felt unsafe at school
44% of LGBTQIAs feel unsafe because of their
gender expression
1 of 5 had been the victim of a physical assault
at school; including forced sex
LGBTQIA youth experience higher rates of
dating violence
GLBT youth hear anti-gay slurs such as “homo”,
“faggot”, “girly-boy” and “sissy” about 26 times
a day or once every 14 minutes.
They are often embarrassed or ashamed of
being bullied and may not report the abuse
4 out of 5 GLBT students say they do not know
one supportive adult at school and feel they
have nowhere to turn
43% of males and 54% of females said they had
lost at least one friend after disclosing their
sexuality; leading to feelings of worthlessness

Gay teens in U.S. schools are victims of
such intense bullying that they are
unable to receive an adequate
education.
28% of gay students will drop out of
school. This is more than 3x the national
average for straight students.

Over 25% of GLBT students reported
missing classes or days from school in the
last month because of feeling unsafe in
their school environment
31% of gay youth have been threatened
or injured at school in the last year alone
GLBT students are more apt to skip
school due to the fear, threats, and
property vandalism directed at them

Feeling alienated from peers
Feelings of guilt and shame resulting from
pressure to change and ‘choose’ differently
Worrying about how their parents will
respond
Experiencing teasing and bullying from
peers
Discrimination from clubs or sports
Experiencing rejection from friends

Higher rates of health problems among GLBT youth were
experienced due to high levels of rejection from their
parents. GLBT youth who experienced high levels of
rejection were:
› Nearly 6 times as likely to have high levels of depression;
› More than 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide;
› More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs; and
› More than 3 times as likely to engage in unprotected
sex that put them at higher risk for HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases.
› Transgender suicide attempts were 51% among those
whose families rejected them compared to 32% among
those from accepting family.
In some cases, children are thrown out of the
house or stress and conflict at home can cause
some youth to run away. As a result, LGBT
youth are at greater risk for homelessness than
their straight peers
26% of gays and lesbian youth are forced to
leave home because of conflicts with their
families over their sexual identities.
The American Center of Progress
conservatively estimates that 320,000 to
400,000 LGBTQIA youth face homelessness
each year resulting from family rejection or
running away.

40-50% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQIA; 75% are female.
1 out of 7 youth between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away.
Youth age 12 to 17 are more at risk of homelessness than adults
With children “coming out” as early as 9 or 10 years old, they are
opening themselves to the risk of being rejected by their families.
75% of homeless or runaway youth have or will drop out of
school.
46% of runaway and homeless youth reported being physically
abused, 38% reported being emotionally abused, and 17%
reported being forced into unwanted sexual activity by a family
or household member.
58.7% of LGBTQIA homeless youth have been sexually victimized
compared to 33.4% of heterosexual homeless youth; often the
result of human sex trafficking.

Homeless LGBTQIA are at higher risk of human sex
trafficking
On any given night, 2,500 children are homeless in a city the
size of San Diego.
Child sex trafficking is the world’s second largest criminal
enterprise, after drugs; 50% are youth and 80% are female.
200,000 American children are at risk for trafficking into the
sex industry each year.
120,000 homeless youth are lured or recruited within 48
hours of hitting the streets into prostitution and
pornography; half being LGBTQIAs.
A child survives only 2-4 years after being enslaved,
coerced, contaminated and drugged into involuntary
servitude.
LGBTQIA youth adopted as infants are at risk of being
returned to the system for coming-out to their parents
LGBTQIA children will likely be part of the foster care
shuffle; averaging two foster homes per year
Gay children are less likely to be adopted or fostered;
especially children of color

The general population, including the LGBTQIA
community, are more likely to adopt healthy
white babies over an older LGBTQIA youth
LGBTQIA youth are more likely to be harassed for
being parentless; internalizing abuse and feeling
unwanted

Life stressors are more likely to lead to vulnerability,
depression and anxiety; with no family to help alleviate
those burdens
LGBTQIA youth are quickly and falsely assumed to be
sexual perpetrators or as being a risk to other children
even though they are less likely to offend than nonLGBTQIA youth; minimizing their chances for placement
56% of LGBTQIA foster youth spent some time homeless
because they felt safer on the streets than in their
homes
Foster LGBTQIAs are 3x more likely to use illegal
substances or contract STDs
An underestimated 24% of females and10% of males
who age-out of the system are reported to be LGBTQIA

At any given time, 30% of high school youth
have feelings of depression.
Depression strikes gay youth 4 to 5 times
more severely than straight peers.
LGBTQIA foster youth are 6x more likely to
suffer from depression
80% of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth
reported severe isolation problems. They
experienced social isolation, emotional
isolation and cognitive isolation.

LGBTQIA youth are 2 to 3 times as likely to have attempted
suicide as their straight peers
LGBTQIA foster youth are 8x more likely to attempt suicide
than non-foster LGBTQIA
21.5% of gay youth attempted suicide within the last 12
months, compared to 4.2% of straight youth
Transgender are 40x more likely of attempting suicide than
straight and LGB peers
Suicide more prevalent among trans who had been
harassed (55%), physically assaulted (61%), or sexually
assaulted (64%) at school. 76% of trans assaulted by school
staff attempted suicide.
LGBTQIA youth are at higher risk because of distress
associated with the hatred and prejudice, and not
because of their innate sexual orientation or identity

LGBTQIA youth are more likely to engage in
unhealthy eating habits (i.e. binging,
anorexia) than hetero peers
Gay males are more likely to develop
eating and body image disorders
LGBTQIA populations have higher rates of
tobacco (2x), alcohol and drug use
For a long time, bars were the only safe
place; increasing alcoholism rates
Increased substance use is associated with
“minority stress” that leads to internalized
homophobia, depression, anxiety

LGBTQIAs contend with societal stigma and
negative experiences that contribute to an
increased vulnerability to mental illness.
Of 18 million, 720,000 are LGBTQIA (4%)
LGBTQIAs are 1½ times more likely to have MH
dx of mood, anxiety, and substance abuse
Gay men and bisexual men are more likely to
have reported major depression and panic
disorder in the last 12 mos
GBTQIA men are less likely to experience
psychotic disorders but more likely to
experience depression and bipolar disorders
Lesbians and bisexual females are more
likely to experience generalized anxiety
No higher prevalence amongst female
LGBTQIA
LGBTQIAs have higher rates of PTSD
Dual stigma of being LGBTQIA and
having a mental illness is exacerbates
existing mental health condition

Gay males are at higher risk of HIV/STDs, especially
among black (28%) and Latinos (18%); 16% white
Transgender people have a higher prevalence of
HIV/STDs (28%)
Gay males and MtFs account for 50% of people living
with HIV despite making up 2% of the general
population
In 2009, 2/3 of new HIV cases were among gay males
and MtFs

In urban areas, the prevalence of HIV among gay
males is higher than in the general population of subSaharan African communities where HIV rates have
been reported to be a public health emergency.
The higher rates result from lack of access to antiretroviral therapies, and is not the result of unsafe sex
practices
Gay males account for 63% of syphilis and 33% of
gonorrhea; with higher rates of anti-resistant gonorrhea
The prevalence of papilloma viruses associated with
anal cancers are 17x higher in gay males than in the
general population; and higher among HIV clients

Lesbians & bisexual females are more likely
to be overweight/obese, and greater rates
of breast and cervical cancers
Transgender people are less likely to have
health insurance and needed care
20% of providers today still harbor ill feelings
and will not treat LGBTQIAs
Older LGBTQIAs: <quality service, family
care, competent doctors, death benefits;
but have greater resilience

25% of gay males and 20% of gay females have
experienced physical sexual harassment or assault as
adults
In 50 studies conducted since 1992, 41% of LGBs and
78% of trans individuals reported verbal or physical
harassment, or having their work space vandalized.
40% of “out” LGBTQIAs are likely to experience
harassment compared to 10% of non-out LGBTQIAs
6 out of 10 of open bisexual females are likely to
experience sexual harassment
Only 6 of 35 percent of bisexual workers are open,
compared 52% of lesbian, 67% of gay, and 38% of
transgender workers.

Be an ally for LGBTQIA youth
Stand up to teasing and bullying
Report harassment and bullying
Reduce gender bias and stereotypes
Do not force anyone “out of the closet”
Be supportive; show kindness and empathy
Provide a safe place for LGBTQIA youth
Introduce students to LGBTQIA-friendly
teachers, curriculum and resources
› Educate yourself on LGBTQIA matters
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Reduces LGBTQIA-phobia within the
community
Helps implement anti-bullying, harassment &
discrimination policies in schools and work
Creates LGBTQIA-friendly centers and
businesses
Improves LGBTQIA foster care/adoption
services
Education reduces in HIV/STDs and progression
Improves physical well-being, reducing
potential health costs

Improves access to unbiased mental and
medical health
Improves services and rights for transgender
people
Promotes the development of an LGBTQIA
wellness model
Promotes the development of nondiscrimination policies
Improves services for elderly LGBTQIA
Increased longevity in LGBTQIA

NAMI Mental Health Issues Among GLBT
California LGBT Health
National Coalition for LGBT Health
The Fenway Institute
ACLU LGBT Project
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Center for American Progress
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center