Because of the stigma and social pressures they face, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, Inter-sex Youth (LGBTQI) face higher risk for substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices and suicide. The support of a resource caregiver (aka foster parent), adoptive parent, social worker, GAL, CASA, judge and/or teacher can mean the difference between life and death for these youth. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, Inter-sex Youth (LGBTQI) from highly rejecting families are more than 8 times as likely to try to take their own lives by the time they are young adults, compared to young people from families that are low or not at all rejecting. LGBTQI youth who are supported and accepted by their families are much more likely to believe they can have a good life and will be a happy, productive adult than those who are not accepted by their families. (Download the Family Acceptance Project below to read more about this phenomenon.)
When supporting youth, it is important to remember to value the person’s right to self-determine their sexual orientation. Do your best to learn as much as you can and keep learning. If every person is respected, our society benefits from our diversity.
Helpful links:
Supporting Your LGBTQ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents is the Child Welfare Information Gateway’s factsheet written for resource caregivers (foster parents) to help them learn about LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. The factsheet outlines specific actions that foster parents can take to create a welcoming home for all youth in their care and to promote youths’ health and well-being in the community. Also included are links to many resources for more information and support.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Click here to see Hawai`i chapters.
Click here to read “Suicide Risk and Prevention for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth”. This publication addresses the special concerns related to suicide prevention among LGBTQI youth. It summarizes the current state of knowledge about suicidality in this population, and outlines twenty-one recommendations for helping to reduce suicidal behavior among LGBTQI youth. Includes a resource appendix and an extensive bibliography.
In addition, helpful resources are also available below.
GLBT Personal Comfort Assessment Tool
Family Acceptance Project
LGBTQ Rights
LGBTQ Facts
LGBTQI Personal Comfort Assessment Tool
Strategies for LGBTQ Educational Advocacy
LGBTQ Definitions
Center for Mental Health Services ‘Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Children
