Abstract
Most adolescents are worried about being different and not fitting in. In this chapter, two groups that are subject to ostracism and harassment are described—LGBTQ and overweight students. Both groups have higher rates of depression, and LGBTQ students have higher rates of suicide attempts, with more than half of transgender males and nearly a third of transgender females reporting having attempted suicide in their lifetime. Included in this chapter is a description of current vocabulary about LGBTQ issues. There are conversations parents can have with both groups of students, and the chapter suggests comments to avoid making. Parents also need to self-reflect on their own biases. Overweight teens frequently are harassed, shamed, and discriminated against. Bullying of both groups is also described, along with a current college student’s story of his torturous days in high school. The need for family support is emphasized as well as the role of advocacy. For example, school systems need to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and be consistent in its implementation.
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