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New statistics from a survey of 10,000 LGBT teens between the ages 13-17 revealed 92 percent encounter hostility and bullying, while 50 percent say there isn’t a single adult that they can turn to if they feel worried or sad, 44 percent are not out to families, and 26 percent fear rejection by them.
Imagine being bullied and made fun of at school all day, then going home where you still don’t feel comfortable being yourself. Not too long ago I was a teenager too, I know parents aren’t always the easiest, but if you can’t express your interests, hobbies, or crushes in the privacy of your own home then what is there?! What if your hobbies don’t match up with what girls are supposed to conventionally do? Even if you’re not LGBT, unfortunately it still often makes people suspicious of your sexual orientation because you don’t fit into a traditional gender role. What if you’re a chick who loves carpentry or basketball? If your parents aren’t supportive of who you are you may never get to pursue those things. (And you’re probably really good at those things too.)
We’re not saying that parents of LGBT youth are bad, but they clearly need to step their game up! Laughing at jokes that are at the expense of gay people, supporting politicians who have anti-gay policies, speculating about a stranger’s sexual orientation–all these things can alienate kids from their parents without parents even knowing.
Don’t call that kid a “sissy” or take your kids to a church that discriminates! Even if your son or daughter just isn’t ready to express who they are, even if as a parent you’re totally oblivious–you may never know if someone is LGBT until they tell you. Moreover, you don’t want to turn your kid into a homophobe by making one too many “gay jokes” that you might think are harmless.
Why is it so difficult for adults to just say it doesn’t matter, to be present, to care? It’s bad enough that LGBT are more likely to be miserable than non-LGBT kids–with no support system it explains why LGBT teens have a much higher suicide rate.
If you’re a LGBT teen feeling lost or alone, there’s help! The Trevor Project is amazing and has counselors on hand to talk to you at 866-488-7386 and even an online chat system.
Do you know anyone who is LBGT that is having a hard time? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!
That’s odd, because it seems *just about* everyone at my school except me, my boyfriend and his friends, and my best friend are bi or gay. No, I’m not saying that as in a “OH, LOOK, THAT KID’S SO GAY” kind of way, but a huge portion of my school admits it. My best friend’s (who’s a guy) girlfriend is bi, four of her friends (that I know of) are bi, this one kid I know is gay, my boyfriend’s neice (who is in our grade) is a lesbian, a BUNCH of these popular girls at my school are either bi or lesbians, and this one girl I used to be somewhat good friends with is bi, this one girl that moved away in, like, October is bi…. I find it hard to believe 92% of kids get bullied because of it; it’s a REALLY casual thing at my school…. Then there’s me who’s convinced most of them just say they are and act like it because it’s “popular” at my school…. -_- God, I hate those people that just fake things to be “cool”…. But, that’s a story for another time.
Sadly, it IS a fact that kids elsewhere get bullied often for it (though it definitely depends on where the school is – certain places are better known for having a low tolerance of the LGBT community). You can’t assume that it isn’t a problem just because your school is different. There are thousands of middle and high schools in America. If it turns out that a lot of those kids at your school are faking it just to be “cool” that’s unfortunate (but I guess it’s good that being gay/bi isn’t a BAD thing, but they shouldn’t be pretending to be something they’re not).
At my house I swear I’m the only person that accepts myself. But with all the negativity they point at me, it makes it hard for even ME to accept myself. My mom and sisters are never supportive of any of the hobbies. They criticize everything I do and never compliment me at all. They give me rude looks and attitudes out of nowhere, and can never let go of the past. Sure, I wasn’t the best person a while ago, but you know what neither were my sisters or my mom. They still aren’t. But no, it’s okay for them to be frustrated and and everything and I can’t. Life at home is sooooo unfair!! I can’t do anything and then both my sisters can do whatever they like. And my parents divorced when I was 6 and now my mom blames all of my dad’s problems on ME. How is that my fault?? I don’t know she just likes to make everything my fault. And she totally doesn’t understand how I’m friends with all guys. Yup, I’m not friends with many girls. Pretty much because they’re back-stabbers, two-faces, they spread rumors and use people. I’m so sick of hanging out with people like that. Guys hate that stuff, so they don’t do that stuff. THAT’S why I hang out with guys, and my mom doesn’t understand or accept it. She doesn’t accept the way I talk or act, she doesn’t accept the way I am. And she’s always like “Well I’m not like the other parents” whenever I tell her how unfair she’s being and how my other friends’ parents let them do stuff. And I’m just like yup, their parents are awesome and you suck. UGH :\
I totally relate to this. I’m 100% straight, but I don’t feel like I can express myself because my mom bullies me. I love my mommy so much, but I’m almost 18 and my privacy isn’t respected. When I have a crush on someone, it’s a big family affair and she thinks I’m bisexual because I favorite photos of girls on my Tumblr. They are pretty girls, and it’s not that I’m bisexual or like them. I like their style and I’m inspired, but my mom makes me unlike them and delete my reposts because she thinks they’re “disgusting” and “perverted”. They aren’t. I’m not into girls at all. I LOVE guys, I’m totally boycrazy and I can’t even look at photos of shirtless guys.. -.-