Gay youth at higher risk of suicide

Gay youth at higher risk of suicide

By Marina Cameron

A University of Minnesota research team released a report on August 27 showing that gay youth are seven times more likely to kill themselves than their heterosexual counterparts. The researchers concluded that "homosexuality per se" isn't the cause.

Having reviewed relevant data and literature, the report concludes that the higher risk is more likely the result of "the issue of gender non-conformity, of appearing to be different from other people. There also is substance abuse, family dysfunction, keeping sexual orientation hidden from others, being in conflict with others about sexual orientation and coming out at a very early age."

Of the bisexual or homosexual males surveyed, 28% said they had attempted suicide, compared with 4.2% of the heterosexual males. Of the lesbian or bisexual females surveyed, 20.5% said they had attempted suicide, compared with 14.5% of the heterosexual females.

Asked if they intend to commit suicide in the future, 14.5% of the gay or bisexual males, 4.3% of the heterosexual males, 9.7% of the gay or bisexual females and 6.3% of the heterosexual females said yes.

[Based on an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.]

From GLW issue 289