Nearly one-third of LGBTQ students drop out of high school, which is three times the national average.
In a 2015 report, LGB students were 140 percent more likely than heterosexual students to skip school at least one day during the 30 days prior to the survey because of safety concerns.
Sexual minorities are three times more likely to be incarcerated, and once incarcerated they are more likely to experience mistreatment, harsh punishment, and sexual victimization.
LGBT people are targeted for violent hate crimes at a rate of two times that of Muslims or black people, four times that of Jews, and 14 times that of Latinos.
In a 2015 report, nearly one-third of LGB youth attempted suicide at least once in the prior year compared to 6 percent of heterosexual youth.
About 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT and on the streets because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. (And 26 percent of gay male youths are thrown out of the home when they come out.)
There are 13 United Nations member states where citizens can be put to death for participating in same-gender sexual acts, (five of these do not enforce it, despite its still being on the books.)
Gay teens are about six times more likely to report high levels of depression compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.
More than 4 in 10 LGBT youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT youth.
...And three hopeful ones
75 percent of LGBT youth say most of their peers do not have a problem with those who identify as LGBT.
Over 150,000 same-sex couples have married since the U.S. Supreme Court extended marriage equality nationwide. In total, over 1.1 million LGBT adults are currently married to a same-sex partner.
Americans are becoming more accepting in their views of LGBT people and homosexuality in general. Perhaps as a result of this growing acceptance, the number of people who identify as LGBT in surveys is also rising. About 10 million people, or 4.1 percent of the U.S. adult population, identified as LGBT in 2016, according to the latest estimates from Gallup.
Sources: Pointfoundation.org, Pewresearch.org, Hrc.org, Williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu, Latimes.com, Cdc.gov, pflagnyc.org and the Southern Poverty Law Center
WHAT DO ALL THOSE LETTERS STAND FOR?
Sometimes you will see or hear people use LGB, more often LGBT, and sometimes LGBTQ.
Dr. Traci Lowenthal uses the acronym LGBTQIA.
And some use the full LGBTQIAPD.
The acronym is for:
- Lesbian
- Gay
- Bisexual
- Transgender
- Queer
- Intersex
- Asexual
- Pansexual
- Deisexual
Photo by Amia June Photography
Dr. Traci Lowenthal
Clinical Psychologist & Owner of Creative Insights.
"Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Creative Insights Counseling. I am a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Creative Insights Counseling. While I work with many people, much of my training, and over 10 years of experience has focused on working with and supporting the LGBTQ community.
I have had the privilege of working with many people for whom society’s labels failed to articulate their true identity. This includes those of various sexual orientations and those in varying stages of transition with regard to gender and gender expression. I have also worked with people living with cancer and their caregivers, survivors of sexual trauma and people struggling with anxiety issues. I also truly love working with college students and have had that privilege extensively over my years as a therapist.
My approach to therapy can be described as strengths based, in that I look for what clients are doing right in their lives, while seeking to help them overcome any challenges they may be struggling with. I truly love being a psychologist because I am able to witness people regain hope, strength and contentment in their lives. I welcome the opportunity to work with you!"
Have a question for Dr. Traci Lowenthal? Dial 909-240-7833