You may be wondering why The Help Group has created a program for LGBTQ+ youth, when ours is an agency that focuses on working with young people with special needs. Research, as well as our anecdoted experience, reflect a rising number of neurodiverse young people who also identify as LGBTQ+— “Double Rainbows”.
A sense of belonging and self-acceptance are very important in the development of healthy self-esteem. When young people are not included – or, more specifically, feel rejected because of who they are – they often take in those negative messages and incorporate them into their self-identity. They may adopt a deep belief that they are unlovable, resulting in challenging mental health symptoms like depression or anxiety and may make choices to act out in destructive ways.
LGBTQ+ young people face many challenges in their schools, communities, families, and services. Often these young people are misunderstood, experience anti-gay or anti-transgender messages, have trouble finding accurate information, and are the victims of violence and bullying.
LGBQ+ youth are twice as likely to be bullied or identify as feeling sad or hopeless. They are three times as likely to be sexually assaulted or consider suicide and four and a half times more likely to attempt suicide. A study by the Administration for Children and Family Services found that 39% of LGBTQ+ youth were forced from their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A recent study by the CDC indicated that nearly two percent of high school students identify as transgender and more than one-third of them attempt suicide if they are rejected by their family. Fortunately, research also indicates that supporting transgendered youth in their chosen identity can reduce their chance of committing suicide by as much as sixty-five percent!
Research also shows that transgender youth are seventy-eight percent more likely to report experiencing serious harassment at school. Through Kaleidoscope, we work to provide affirming support to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults as well as work with parents and educators to create home and school environments where LGBTQ+ youth may feel safe and able to reach their full potential.
In LA County and nationally, 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. This number is likely because many families reject young people when they come out as being LGBTQ+. Also, some systems that are in place to protect youth have traditionally fallen short of providing the same level of support for LGBTQ+ youth. Of the juvenile justice population, 20% identify as LGBTQ. Youth forced out of their homes are at high risk for exploitation and survival crimes, such as survival sex, substance abuse, theft, and “quality of life” crimes – ones committed just to stay alive.
LGBTQ+ young people that are also on the autism spectrum, or have ADHD, learning challenges and social and emotional challenges and also identify as being LGBTQ+ are affectionately referred to as being blessed with a “double rainbow.” Understandably, though, these young people can experience even more complex challenges than some of their typical peers. Some of these challenges may be compounded by issues such as sensory sensitivity, rigid thinking, navigating related social environments, a higher risk of being bullied, and related vulnerability.
Learn More
Through the Kaleidoscope Program, we seek to help youth and young adults address their multi-faceted needs and provide a range of related services to them and their families. In support of our “Double Rainbow” population, Kaleidoscope offers culturally-affirming services designed to sensitively support LGBTQ+ children, youth, and young adults with social and learning differences, as well as their families.
Today, more than ever, we understand that embracing differences and overcoming related challenges is essential for youth and young adults to live in their fullest potential. We’re here to support this journey!
The importance of providing LGBTQ+ culturally affirming care in a safe environment is incredibly important! Research indicates that “tolerating” or even “accepting” young people is not enough. We need to affirm who they are so that they may develop positive well-being. With this support, they are then better able to flourish.
LGBTQ+ Youth Are...
…2x as likely to be bullied or feel sad or helpless
…3x as likely to be sexually assaulted or consider suicide
…4.5x more likely to attempt suicide
Transgender Youth Are...
…8x more likely to attempt suicide (if rejected by family)
…78% more likely to report serious harassment at school
…More likely to quit school due to harassment and half of those who do
become homeless
The Challenges
LGBTQ+ Youth face some challenges because of biases against them, called Anti-gay and Anti-transgender biases. They face these in many different environments, including at school, in the community, on social media, and often in their own families. To help explain this, we’ve defined some of the terms below:
Anti-gay bias – This harmful outlook includes a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are thought of as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or pansexual, as well as toward other people who hang out with them. It may include contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred or antipathy, may be based on irrational fear, and is often related to cultural and religious beliefs.
Anti-transgender bias – This harmful outlook is about hatred, discrimination or aversion to transgender or gender-variant people, people perceived to be such, or the people who hang out with persons who are transgender or gender-variant.
Systemic heterosexism – A wide-held belief system based on the biased idea that heterosexuality is the right way and only way to be. More often than you may realize, signals that members of the LGBTQ+ population do not deserve the same respect or rights as cisgender heterosexuals are given in many different environments and situations.
Internalized Homophobic or Transphobic Shame – LGBTQ+ youth often take in these systemic anti-gay and/or anti-transgender messages and adopt a deep belief that they are unlovable just by being who they are, resulting in challenging mental health symptoms, including depressed mood, anxiety, and low self-esteem, and sometimes make negative choices to try and cope with it, like using alcohol or drugs.