Marsha Ambrosius "Far Away"Marsha Ambrosius devotes the music video for her new single "Far Away" to raise awareness against bullying. Inspired by her real-life experience, the clip revolves around a gay black man who is bullied and treated as an outsider by people in his neighborhood due to his sexual orientation. At the end of her video, Marsha sends out the message below to others, along with a number you can call if you need to talk with someone.
1-800-273-TALK (8255) www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Dear Friends, Every year over 1 million people commit SUICIDE. Some were BULLIED because of their SEXUALITY. I lost a friend to SUICIDE, and I’m asking all of you to support alternative lifestyles. Don’t put up with or join in with BULLYING. It’s time we become more aware in this WORLD. Take responsibility to make a difference. So if my music can save one life, I’ve done my job. I love you all so much! Marsha |
Marsha Ambrosius music video "Far Away"
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Youth
Images from CDC website
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and those who
are questioning their sexual orientation are happy and thrive during
their adolescent years. Going to a school that has created a safe and
supportive learning environment for all students and having caring and
accepting parents are especially important. This helps all youth
achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health.
However, some LGBT youth face greater difficulties in their lives and
school environments compared to their heterosexual peers, such as
experiencing violence.
Experiences with Violence
Negative attitudes toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people put LGBT youth at increased risk for violence compared to other students (1). Violence can include behaviors such as bullying, teasing, harassment, physical assault, and suicide-related behaviors.
A 2009 survey* of more than 7,000 LGBT middle and high school students (aged 13-21) found that in the past year, because of their sexual orientation–
Unfortunately, these types of experiences with violence also occur outside of school and may continue into young adulthood. A study published in 2004 looked at discrimination and violence among young gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 27 and found that 37% had been harassed and 5% had experienced physical violence in the past six months because of their sexual orientation (3).
More resources for LGBT youth and their friends
Experiences with Violence
Negative attitudes toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people put LGBT youth at increased risk for violence compared to other students (1). Violence can include behaviors such as bullying, teasing, harassment, physical assault, and suicide-related behaviors.
A 2009 survey* of more than 7,000 LGBT middle and high school students (aged 13-21) found that in the past year, because of their sexual orientation–
- Eight in ten had been verbally harassed at school
- Four in ten had been physically harassed at school
- Six in ten felt unsafe at school, and
- One in five had been the victim of a physical assault at school (2).
Unfortunately, these types of experiences with violence also occur outside of school and may continue into young adulthood. A study published in 2004 looked at discrimination and violence among young gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 27 and found that 37% had been harassed and 5% had experienced physical violence in the past six months because of their sexual orientation (3).
More resources for LGBT youth and their friends
Effects on Education and Health
Images from CDC website
Violence experienced by LGBT
youth has negative effects on their education and on their health. In
2009, almost 1 in 3 LGBT students ages 13 to 21 responding to a survey
reported that they had missed at least one day of school in the past
month because they were concerned about their safety (2). LGBT youth
who experience more frequent harassment perform lower in school by
almost half a grade point compared to their non-LGBT peers who
experience less frequent or no harassment (grade-point average of 2.7
for frequently harassed students versus 3.1 for other students) (2).
Overall, the stresses experienced by LGBT youth and those who are questioning their sexual orientation or LGBTQ also put them at greater risk for mental health problems, substance use, and physical health problems (4).
What Schools Can Do
Schools that have clear policies, procedures and activities designed to prevent bullying and have supportive staff and student organizations can be effective in reducing verbal and physical harassment. These kinds of positive school climates are associated with reduced suicide risk and better mental health among LGBT students (5,6). For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Schools, communities, parents, and youth have a role to play in building positive, supportive, and healthy environments for youth. Such environments promote acceptance and respect and help youth feel valued (7).
To help promote health and safety among LGBTQ youth, schools can implement the following policies and practices:
More resources for educators and school administrators
Overall, the stresses experienced by LGBT youth and those who are questioning their sexual orientation or LGBTQ also put them at greater risk for mental health problems, substance use, and physical health problems (4).
What Schools Can Do
Schools that have clear policies, procedures and activities designed to prevent bullying and have supportive staff and student organizations can be effective in reducing verbal and physical harassment. These kinds of positive school climates are associated with reduced suicide risk and better mental health among LGBT students (5,6). For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Schools, communities, parents, and youth have a role to play in building positive, supportive, and healthy environments for youth. Such environments promote acceptance and respect and help youth feel valued (7).
To help promote health and safety among LGBTQ youth, schools can implement the following policies and practices:
- Prohibit bullying, harassment, and violence against all students.
- Identify “safe spaces,” such as counselors’ offices, designated classrooms, or student organizations, where LGBTQ youth can receive support from administrators, teachers, or other school staff.
- Ensure that health curricula or educational materials include HIV, other STD, or pregnancy prevention information that is relevant to LGBTQ youth (such as ensuring that curricula or materials use inclusive language or terminology).
- Encourage school district and school staff to develop and publicize trainings on how to create safe and supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and encourage staff to attend these trainings.
- Facilitate access to community-based providers who have experience providing health services, including HIV/STD testing and counseling, to LGBTQ youth.
- Facilitate access to community-based providers who have experience in providing social and psychological services to LGBTQ youth.
More resources for educators and school administrators
What Parents Can Do
Images from CDC website
How parents respond to their child who is LGBTQ can have a tremendous impact on their child’s current and future mental and physical health (1,6,7). Supportive reactions can help youth cope with the challenges of being an LGBTQ teen. However, some parents react negatively to learning that they may have an LGBTQ daughter or son. In some cases, children are thrown out of the house or stress and conflict at home can cause some youth to run away. As a result, LGBT youth are at greater risk for homelessness than their heterosexual peers (1).
Even less severe reactions can have long-lasting negative effects. Research published in the journal Pediatrics found significantly higher rates of mental and physical health problems among LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection from their parents while they were adolescents (7). Compared with LGBT young adults who experienced very little or no parental rejection, LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection were:
More resources for parents
Even less severe reactions can have long-lasting negative effects. Research published in the journal Pediatrics found significantly higher rates of mental and physical health problems among LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection from their parents while they were adolescents (7). Compared with LGBT young adults who experienced very little or no parental rejection, LGBT young adults who experienced high levels of rejection were:
- Nearly 6 times as likely to have high levels of depression
- More than 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide
- More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs, and
- More than 3 times as likely to engage in unprotected sexual behaviors that put them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
More resources for parents
The It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project has turned into a worldwide movement, inspiring over 5000 user-created videos and over 15 million views. To date, the project has received submissions from celebrities, organizations, activists, politicians and media personalities, including President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Adam Lambert, Anne Hathaway, Colin Farrell, Matthew Morrison of "Glee", Joe Jonas, Joel Madden, Ke$ha, Sarah Silverman, Tim Gunn, Ellen DeGeneres, Suze Orman, the staffs of The Gap, Google and Facebook, the Broadway community, and many more. For us, every video changes a life. It doesn’t matter who makes it. The website www.itgetsbetterproject.com is a place where young people who are lesbian, gay, bi, or trans can see how love and happiness can be a reality in their future. It’s a place where our straight allies can visit and support their friends and family members. It’s a place where people can share their stories, take the It Gets Better Project pledge, watch videos of love and support, and seek help through the Trevor Project and GLSEN.
View a few of the "It Gets Better" videos below.
To visit the "It Gets Better Project" website and watch thousands of "It Gets Better" videos, CLICK HERE
View a few of the "It Gets Better" videos below.
To visit the "It Gets Better Project" website and watch thousands of "It Gets Better" videos, CLICK HERE
President Obama: It Gets Better Video
As part of the It Gets Better Project, President Obama shares his
message of hope and support for LGBT youth who are struggling with being
bullied. President Obama is committed to ending bullying, harassment and
discrimination in all its forms in our schools and communities. That’s
why he recorded this message.
Last year, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services joined forces with four other departments to create a federal task force on bullying. In August 2010, the task force staged the first-ever National Bullying Summit, bringing together 150 top state, local, civic, and corporate leaders to begin mapping out a national plan to end bullying. The task force also launched a new website, www.bullyinginfo.org, which brings all the federal resources on bullying together in one place for the first time ever. If you’re a young person who’s been bullied or harassed by your peers, or you’re a parent or teacher who knows a young person being bullied or harassed, here are a few resources that can help you: The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LBGTQ youth by providing resources and a nationwide, 24 hour hotline. If you are considering suicide or need help, call: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). BullyingInfo.org BullyingInfo.org is a project of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) focused on providing tools and resources for youth, parents, teachers and mental health providers to prevent and address bullying. |
President Obama: It Gets Better Video
It Gets Better Project President Obama’s video is just one of thousands of videos submitted by people across the country to inspire and encourage LGBT youth who are struggling. You can watch more videos at ItGetsBetterProject.com. For even more information and resources visit or call:
Information from www.whitehouse.gov |
It Gets Better at NC State Univeristy
NC State University's It Gets Better video in support of the GLBT community. For more information, CLICK HERE
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NC State University It Gets Better Video
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Learn more about homophobia
Learn more about what you can do to stop homophobia Learn more about sexual orientation and homosexuality Learn about HIV/AIDS and other STDs If you are a parent and would like more information please visit our "Info for Parents" page View info, resources and support on homophobia in LGBT communities View Wake County's Gang Prevention Program, Project 110% |
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References
1. Coker TR, Austin SB, Schuster MA. The health and health care of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents. Annual Review of Public Health 2010;31:457-477.
2. Kosciw JG, Greytak EA, Diaz EM, Bartkiewicz MJ. The 2009 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools. New York: Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network; 2010. Available at: http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/000/001/1675-5.PDF
3. Huebner DM, Rebchook GM, Kegeles SM. Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men. American Journal of Public Health 2004;94:1200-1203.
4. Russell ST, Joyner K. Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health 2001;91:1276-1281.
5. Eisenberg ME, Resnick MD. Suicidality among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth: The role of protective factors. Journal of Adolescent Health 2006;39:662-668.
6. Espelage DL, Aragon SR, Birkett M. Homophobic teasing, psychological outcomes, and sexual orientation among high school students: What influence do parents and schools have? School Psychology Review. 2008;37:202-216.8. FindYouthInfo.gov [Internet]. Bullyinfo.org Bullying Prevention and Response. [cited 2010 Nov 29]. Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs; [1 screen]. http://www.findyouthinfo.org/topic_bullying.shtml
7. Ryan C, Huebner D, Diaz RM, Sanchez J. Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics 2009;123:346-352.
1. Coker TR, Austin SB, Schuster MA. The health and health care of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents. Annual Review of Public Health 2010;31:457-477.
2. Kosciw JG, Greytak EA, Diaz EM, Bartkiewicz MJ. The 2009 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools. New York: Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network; 2010. Available at: http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/000/001/1675-5.PDF
3. Huebner DM, Rebchook GM, Kegeles SM. Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men. American Journal of Public Health 2004;94:1200-1203.
4. Russell ST, Joyner K. Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health 2001;91:1276-1281.
5. Eisenberg ME, Resnick MD. Suicidality among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth: The role of protective factors. Journal of Adolescent Health 2006;39:662-668.
6. Espelage DL, Aragon SR, Birkett M. Homophobic teasing, psychological outcomes, and sexual orientation among high school students: What influence do parents and schools have? School Psychology Review. 2008;37:202-216.8. FindYouthInfo.gov [Internet]. Bullyinfo.org Bullying Prevention and Response. [cited 2010 Nov 29]. Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs; [1 screen]. http://www.findyouthinfo.org/topic_bullying.shtml
7. Ryan C, Huebner D, Diaz RM, Sanchez J. Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics 2009;123:346-352.
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This education awareness project is sponsored by the
LGBT Center of Raleigh. Created and designed by Luke Keeler. |
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All Info from CDC
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Page last updated: 04/01/17
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