Whats The Fuss

                                          Although we have some laws granting equality for LGBT such as gay marriage, anti-discrimination laws,and                                                           equal employment opportunity this does not mean that tolerance is through the roof. For LGBT youth both                                                             coming out and staying closeted can be stressful and can lead to unfortunate events such as                                                                                 depression, homelessness, and suicide. It takes strong family as well as community base support to hold people                                                     together but for the lgbt this is a struggle to obtain.

                                           Impact Factors

 (2)                                          The family is the most important influence for many LGBT peoples but the lack of understanding and support             received results in individuals not coming out and hiding who they really. Even for those who do come out, they can end up being cut off from the family and kicked for not fitting into societal norms."Most homeless LGBT youth have been kicked out or have ran away from home, frequently cycling through the child warefare and foster care system. Many have been abused or harassed by parents, family members, child welfare workers, and foster parents, and even classmates and teachers" (3). In both scenarios whether coming out or shielding ones true identity in many cases can result in suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and successful attempts. This can be even more detrimental for the minorities within this minority.

 

Many people have multiple identities that can leave us as either part of a minority or majority group. In people of color we see their race as the primary identity they hold. Their community and support stems from this group and when one must choose identities such as race over sexuality, race wins. When interviewed on the topic a black lesbian woman says, "'The Black community, even the church is not accepting..'" With these groups already being under a microscope- much is not tolerated that would add additional backlash, "By minimizing sexuality, they affirmed that they were moral black people committed to uplifting the race" (4). Many people seeking to stay embedded in their racial communities find themselves having to keep their sexuality a secret or downplaying it in order to continue to be accepted. Once they are out they are in jeopardy of losing ties and being kicked out of their families, communities, churches, etc. "Whereas other minority children enjoy support in confronting discrimination from their parents and communities- who share their experiences- most LGBT adolescents lack a comparable built-in support networks. Consequently, LGBT youth frequently confront these issues alone or worse, lose family support when they come out as LGBT"(3a). 

 

Schools are another factor that influence mental health and development in the youth. Many of the youth experience bullying from other students, discrimination from teachers, and are taught normative heterosexuality- the idea that dictates the hetero gender norms and that repeals same sex interactions. Through this hidden curriculum and the constant visibility of heterosexuality shown whether, it be a major event such as prom or just watching boys and girls flirt, kiss, and hold hands- it reinforces societal sexual "norms". When sexuality is taught it surrounds all things heterosexual which only further makes LGBT youth feel outcasted and misunderstood "...heterosexuals are everywhere and we have to accept them. We dont have a choice, they're the mainstream. Then there is us. We have to accept them, but they do not have to accept us" (5).