Homophobia and Suicide in GLBT Youth

Paper Summary:

This paper details the various stressors gay youth encounter when they 'come out' from parents, friends, school, and society in general. The paper ties these variables together and makes the argument for increased suicidal ideation in gay youth, citing the aforementioned stressors as antecedents.

From the Paper:

"Young people are particularly impressionable to the attitudes, ideologies, and norms of society, thus homosexual youth are affected by "negative attitudes and hostile reactions of our society to homosexuality" (Chauvin et al,. 2000:9). Furthermore, society offers little in ways to seek refuge from homophobia and the attitudes it places upon the oppressed youth, and many areas require minors to have permission from their parents before engaging in therapy or attending gay/lesbian programs at outreach centers. "The outcome of societal barriers along with negative responses to a homosexual orientation may facilitate a young gay or lesbian person to exhibit a low self-esteem, depression, and a generalized fear, consequently, resulting in a deteriorated and fragile identity on the part of a young homosexual person" (Chauvin et al., 2000:9-10)."

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