Gay Youth Research Articles

On literature, society, sexualities: An interview with the writer Vasudhendra

ABSTRACT This interview discusses same-sex relationships, especially gay relationships, in the writer Vasudhendra’s semi-autobiographical book, Mohanaswamy, which became India’s first book in the Kannada language to focus on gay life. Vasudhendra talks about the need for social progress in understanding LGBTQIA+ sexualities and the implicit requirement of LGBTQIA+ literature in vernacular languages in India. He elucidates on his experience in counselling gay youths, how he has navigated the difference in gay life between rural and urban areas, and the appropriate way to deal with the variance in their experiences. Though Vasudhendra’s attention is on gay narratives, he also discusses the presence of patriarchy in Indian society, the impact of law on LGBTQIA+ sexualities, the lack of queer vocabulary in Indian vernacular languages, and the need for a more inclusive gendered terminology. The interview ends with the writer’s hope to see a change in society’s perception of non-normative sexualities in India.

Cumulative Police Exposures, Police Violence Stress, and Depressive Symptoms: A Focus on Black LGBQ Youth in Baltimore City, Maryland.

The present study investigates associations between cumulative police exposures, police violence stress, and depressive symptoms among Black youth, and whether LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer) identities moderate these associations. Data come from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), a cross-sectional survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12-21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 345), administered from August 2022 to July 2023. We used multivariable ordinary least squares regression to estimate direct associations and product-term analysis to test for effect modification by sexual identities. We also calculate covariate-adjusted predicted depressive symptoms scores by cumulative police exposures and police violence stress across sexual identities. Findings indicate that LGBQ youth collectively reported higher levels of police violence stress than heterosexual youth. Still, LGBQ youth varied in their cumulative police exposures, which were significantly higher among bisexual and queer youth than lesbian or gay youth. Associations between cumulative police exposures, police violence stress, and depressive symptoms were significantly moderated by LGBQ identity, with the largest associations emerging for bisexual and queer youth. Police exposures and police violence stress also compounded to worsen depressive symptoms among the subsample of LGBQ youth. Collectively, our findings suggest that LGBQ youth-especially bisexual and queer youth-may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health harms of cumulative police exposures and police violence stress. Intersectional, public health approaches that combine prevention and treatment strategies are needed to mitigate LGBQ mental health inequities stemming from cumulative police exposures and police violence stress.

Sexual Attraction and Non-Suicidal Self-Harm: The Role of Stressors and Psychological Mediators.

Non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) is a serious concern for the well-being of youth. Stressors relate to greater NSSH risk, such as being non-heterosexual in a heteronormative society. Other stressors may include traumatic experiences. These relationships may be mediated by psychological factors (depressed mood, anxiety, anger, and self-esteem) as well as contextual factors (support from parents and peers). The purpose of this study was to examine NSHH ideation and behavior among Icelandic youth, as well as relationships with stressors and mediators. Students in Icelandic high schools (N = 8921, 50.8% female) completed an in-class survey in the year 2016. Results showed an elevated risk of NSSH ideation and behavior among bisexual and homosexual youth. Mediation analyses showed that, for girls, being bisexual related to greater NSSH ideation and behavior, and these relationships were mediated by depressed mood, anger, and self-esteem, as well as by support from parents and peers. For boys, however, both homosexual and bisexual attraction related to greater risk for NSSH ideation and behavior, which was mediated by depressed mood, anger, and self-esteem. These results suggest that NSSH risk factors vary by gender and, therefore, they may benefit from different interventions to stop and prevent this behavior. This is the first study of its kind in Iceland, where sexual minority stress may need further study within the Nordic context.

Analisis Perilaku Penyimpangan Sosial Remaja Gay Di Era Digital

The fast development of information technology, especially in handheld communication devices (smartphones) is undeniable that it is difficult to avoid massively by the public. Its existence will be a tool of personal reconstruction in society. Not only as a means of communication, but far beyond the basic functions of smartphones. The important role of technology is what brings human civilisation into the digital era. The digital era has brought various good changes as a positive impact that can be used as well as possible. Through a smartphone, users can show their activities and build their social identity, both in the real and virtual world. Deviant sexual orientation makes it difficult for gays to interact and communicate like a dominant society, it makes gays need an alternative media in order to interact and communicate with the aim of meeting their social and sexual needs. The result of this discussion is that in the digital era it is no longer a taboo for most teenagers to find out information about the whereabouts of gay men. Gay youth communication on social media is divided into two types, namely verbal and non-verbal. The existence of verbal and non-verbal communication in social media can support the realisation of meetings in real life.

‘Let Us Hold Hands’: Lived Practices of Intimacy Among Gay Youth in Urban India

This article contributes to the growing literature on youth sexualities and intimacy, by centring the lived experiences of self-identified gay youth in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. It draws on interview narratives of thirteen gay youth between the ages of 19 and 26, living in Kolkata, to unpack two inter-locking ways in which these sexual minority youth co-construct intimacy within the urban space: (a) intimacy as verbal and non-verbal disclosure and (b) embodied intimacy. The findings underline how studying gay youth’s practices of intimacy offer a unique window into sexual politics and urban life in twenty-first-century India.

Love, Simon and failure: Challenging normative discourses and femmephobia in gay youth representations

Contemporary and mainstream representations of gender and sexual minorities within pop culture provide an opportunity for marginalized narratives and stories to reach audiences otherwise excluded. As gay adolescent youth narratives become normalized within mainstream representations, ideas of coming out, the invisibilization of gay femininities, and the privileging of gender normativity within gay young adulthood percolate in film and media. This article presents an interpretive analysis of the regulation of femininity—femmephobia—within Love, Simon through depictions of Simon (the main gay adolescent character) and Ethan (Simon’s feminine gay peer). Using femme theory and “fag discourses,” this article problematizes femmephobic depictions of gay adolescence. Moreover, this article argues that Ethan's position as a “femme failure,” and thus an exemplar of femme resistance, offers opportunities for challenging femmephobic gender relations amongst gay adolescence in media and pop culture.

A latent profile analysis of perceived family reactions to youth LGBTQ identity.

Family members' reactions to youth identity disclosure are important predictors of well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth. To better understand potential variation within and across families' current reactions, this study established latent profiles of family level reaction patterns and examined predictors and outcomes associated with these patterns. In 2011-2012, LGBTQ youth (N = 447, Mage = 18.8) rated their mother's, father's, brother's, and sister's reactions to their LGBTQ identity and reported their own depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Latent profile analysis tested patterns of family members' reactions. Most participants reported either moderately positive reactions (49.2%) or very positive reactions (34.0%) from all family members, though 16.8% of youth reported negative reactions from all family members. Youth social positions and demographic factors predicted profile membership: transgender youth, youth-assigned male at birth, older age at first disclosure predicted membership in the negative family reaction profile, whereas gay youth, having a parent and/or sibling with an LGBTQ identity, coresidence with either mothers, fathers, or siblings, and more years since first disclosure predicted membership in the very positive family reaction profile. Multiracial youth and younger youth were more likely to be in the moderately positive family reaction profile. Youth in families characterized by negative reactions had higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem compared to those who reported moderately positive or very positive reactions. Findings underscore the interconnectedness of family members' reactions and suggest that interventions for LGBTQ youth with rejecting and/or less accepting family members may need to target the entire family system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

HIV infections in youth: prevalence and associated factors

Objective: to estimate the prevalence and associated factors with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in youths. Methods: cross-sectional study in two Centers for Testing and Counseling, with 279 youths from 15 to 24 years old. An anti-HIV test and a structured instrument were applied. We used bivariate analysis and logistic regression, with Bonferroni corrections, to investigate the association between the variables and the outcome. Results: the prevalence of HIV in the youth analyzed was 3.9% (Confidence interval - CI95%: 1.0-10.1). The association with the outcome of HIV was statistically significant in male youth (p=0.001), homosexuals (p<0.001), those who tested due to sexual exposure (p=0.034), perception of a high risk of acquiring HIV (p=0.002), and anal sex (p=0.004). Homosexual youth (odds ratio-OR=13.46; CI95%;1.14-15.84), with a perception of high risk of acquiring HIV (OR=18.11; CI95%: 2.28-143.69) had a higher chance of being HIV positive. Conclusion: the prevalence of HIV and associated factors in youth was ascertained. Contributions to practice: the information produced here shows evidence for those who aim to formulate policies, including health managers and workers. It can give support to the elaboration of strategies that involve perfecting preventive, coordinated actions, adjusted to behavioral contexts in the settings studied.

Dating Violence Perpetration Among Sexual Minority Youths in the US: Exploring the Effects of Masculinity Ideology

This study analyzes two waves of survey data from a prospective cohort study of secondary school students in Midwestern United States and shows that masculinity ideology contributes in varying degrees to dating violence perpetration across different gender and sexual orientation groups. Conformity to masculinity ideology not only elevates physical violence among bisexual male and lesbian youths, but also does it to a greater extent than its effect among heterosexual male youths. Gay youths, on the other than hand, report lower levels of physical violence perpetration with higher conformity to masculinity ideology. Conformity to masculinity ideology also precipitates higher levels of sexual violence perpetration among bisexual male and lesbian youths. Several policy implications for dating violence prevention are discussed.

Starting a New Presidential Year With Pride

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article From the PresidentFull AccessStarting a New Presidential Year With PridePetros Levounis, M.D., M.A.Petros LevounisSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., M.A.Published Online:25 May 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.06.6.25What a great gift it was to begin my presidential year by being with the APA family—members, staff, and loved ones—in San Francisco, our second chance to be together for the Annual Meeting since the start of the pandemic. Surely, one of the silver linings of that great tragedy is that we cherish so much more the ability to meet together in person.I am excited to be embarking on this adventure with you, and I am buoyed by the support of my predecessor, Rebecca Brendel, M.D., J.D., who laid out for us during her presidential year a Roadmap for the Future of Psychiatry. We have a lot of work to do.As a gay man, I am proud to celebrate June LGBTQ+ Pride Month with you. We have so much to be proud of—just 25 years ago, same-sex marriage was largely unthinkable. The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in December 2000. Since that time, nearly 30 countries have done so. It’s a significant milestone that made my own marriage possible. I hope that some of you had the pleasure of meeting my husband, Lukas Hassel, when we were in San Francisco.Yet despite these advances, LGBTQ+ people face old and new challenges every day. The “culture wars” have inflamed tensions and exacerbated prejudice against sexual minorities. Mental illness has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ communities. Depression and anxiety disorders are about 1.5 times higher in LGBTQ+ populations than their straight or gender-conforming counterparts. The “minority stress theory” may explain some of this: Members of sexual minorities are more likely to be the victims of discrimination and strained by the expectation or perception of discrimination and by internalized self-hatred.It will be a goal of mine to work to ensure access to psychiatric care and addiction treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their partners and loved ones. I also want to help focus attention on gay youth. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health found that nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide, and LGBTQ+ youth of color reported higher rates than their white peers.These commitments fit well into my presidential theme for this year, which is twofold. As an addiction psychiatrist, I would like to highlight the work of addiction psychiatry, to emphasize to policymakers and to the public at large that treatment for substance use disorders and the behavioral addictions works—especially medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), which includes appropriate use of psychopharmacology along with psychosocial treatments. I will be focusing especially on four addictions that are highly prevalent—vaping, opioids (often used with stimulants), alcohol, and technology. For too long we have tended to separate addiction and mental illness—as if they were not related. But addiction is a brain disease, exacerbated by psychosocial stress: Brain imaging studies graphically reveal the changes that occur when people use addictive substances; they also graphically reveal the positive changes that occur when people recover.I also want to devote this presidential year to energizing the public at large about the value and importance of psychiatric treatment and about the important role that nonprofessionals—parents, teachers, faith leaders, employers, caretakers of the elderly, anyone anywhere—can have in promoting mental health. Helping friends, acquaintances, and loved ones find the care they need can be deeply gratifying. The “first step of the first step” in helping someone in need find solutions to their problems and relief from emotional pain is often taken by a spouse, friend, or relative.The COVID-19 pandemic focused attention on mental health and illness in an unprecedented way. And there is a new and growing excitement about psychiatry: For 12 straight years the number of medical students matching into psychiatry has increased. We are now a coveted professional identity!Let’s build on this excitement.It is a great privilege to be your president, and I am looking forward to advocating for you, the profession, and our patients. I’m also looking forward to opening up a discussion with the general public about how all of us can build a mentally healthy America. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Microaggressions based on sexual orientation and the mental health of gay men youth in three Mexican Cities

Microaggressions are a form of subtle violence that young gay men experience throughout their lives, which are known for negatively affecting mental health. A qualitative study with focus groups and in-depth interviews was conducted with 26 young gay men from three geographic areas of Mexico to explore their experiences of microaggressions based on sexual orientation and their impact on mental health. Results showed that microaggressions are present in all stages of life, mainly with family, friends, school, and in public and private spaces, and have behavioral, cognitive, and emotional effects such as sadness, shame, fear, crying, and concealment. The experience of these events and their consequences continue throughout all stages of life. The results suggest the importance of creating inclusive contexts within family and educational environments where gay youth can develop free of discrimination, especially in childhood and adolescence.

Perceived Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Suicide in Lesbian and Gay Youth

Introduction: Suicide is a major public health issue. The WHO included the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations among the vulnerable groups of highest risk of suicide. This study, therefore, seeks to bring out the risk factors and preventive measures of suicide among the lesbian and gay youth. Methods: The study used descriptive study design with a quantitative method. The inclusion criteria include lesbian and gay youth between the age group of 22 and 25 years and pursuing Master’s degree. Through purposive sampling technique, 40 participants were selected. A structured interview schedule was constructed for this study. It was administered to understand the perceptions of participants on the risk factors and preventive measures. Results: The analysis revealed that majority of the participants agreed that lack of support, societal stigma, etc, are risks factors that may lead to suicide amongst the lesbian and gay youth, and majority participants also agree that certain preventive measures can be adopted to reduce the risk of suicide. Conclusions: Findings of the analysis highlighted differences in the characteristics of suicide among the lesbian and gay youth. Suicide prevention efforts and actions must be taken sensitively and culturally for the sexual minority populations.

Learning through practice: Conceptualizing the demands of queer-inclusive teaching

The scholarly conversation on preparing teachers to organize safer, more humanizing learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth generally does not intersect with conversations unfolding in the broader teacher education literature, specifically around what practice means in learning to teach. In this article, I bridge that divide by reporting on a case study designed to investigate how one kindergarten teacher enacted queer-inclusive practice. By queer-inclusive practice, I mean to capture two pedagogical goals: (1) including LGBTQ + topics in curricula and (2) moving beyond inclusion by disrupting normativity. Grounded in the assumption that teaching is uncertain and complex work, I draw on queer and anti-oppressive theories to conceptualize demands as a generative lens for investigating what teachers negotiate during enactments of queer-inclusive practice. Bringing that lens to bear in this study animated the unpredictability of what pedagogical efforts to disrupt commonsense will do to learners and learners’ desires to learn in ways that repeat what they already know. I conclude that the lens of demands frames pedagogical challenges that arise when teachers enact disruptive, justice-oriented practices as a productive problem space for teachers and teacher educators to navigate.

Associations between sexual orientation, sex education curriculum, and exposure to affirming/disaffirming LGB content in two US-based cohorts of adolescents

ABSTRACT Sexual health education experienced by lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth varies widely in relevancy and representation. However, associations among sexual orientation, type of sex education, and exposure to affirming or disaffirming content have yet to be examined. Understanding these patterns can help to address gaps in LGB-sensitive sex education. Our goal in this study was to examine the prevalence and associations among abstinence-only until marriage (AOUM) and comprehensive sex education with LGB-affirming and -disaffirming content sought/received before age 18 (from 1999 to 2014) by sexual orientation (completely heterosexual with same-sex contact, completely heterosexual with no same-sex contact, mostly heterosexual, bisexual, gay/lesbian) in a sample of 12,876 US young adults from the Growing Up Today Study. Compared to completely heterosexual referents, LGB participants who received AOUM sex education were more likely to encounter LGB-disaffirming content, and this effect was largest among sexual minority participants. Conversely, exposure to comprehensive sex education was associated with receipt of LGB-affirming information. Overall, participants commonly reported receiving AOUM sex education, which may lead to deficits and potential harm to sexual minorities.

Resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care: A scoping review

BackgroundResearch on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care has mainly focused on these youth's adversities and the resulting negative impact on their wellbeing. Little is known about the ways through which LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care are resilient to these adversities. To date, a review study on resilience in this population is lacking. ObjectiveTo map and synthesize the existing research on resilience among LGBTQIA+ children and youth in out-of-home care. Specific goals were to summarize and analyze 1) the general characteristics of the existing studies, and 2) the resilience resources found at the individual, relational, sociocultural, and ecological levels. MethodsWe carried out a scoping review examining empirical published academic literature. ResultsThe 14 studies included in this scoping review indicated that resilience studies among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care are mainly qualitative, cross-sectional, US-based, and were centered on gay youth. Studies suggested that resilience resources were mostly focused at the socio/relational level (e.g., foster family acceptance) with fewer studies at the individual (e.g., LGBTQ positive identity), and community levels (e.g., LGBTQ centers). Importantly, no studies explored the interaction of resilience resources across these different domains. ConclusionsResilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care remains understudied and the results of this scoping review point to specific research gaps. Recommendations are provided for research, practice, and policy.

Violence against homeless gay and transgender youth in Pakistan – a short report

ABSTRACT Violence against youth with diverse sexual and gender identities is an understudied area in Pakistan. This article explores how homeless gay and transgener youth (HGTY) experience multiple forms of violence and how social structural conditions produce contexts for violence against them. This study is based on qualitative interviews with fourteen HGTY, aged 16–25 years old. The interviews suggest that participants experienced multiple forms of violence simultaneously. Social structures like religion, ethnicity, and politics shaped broader cultural intolerance for sexual and/or gender diversity. Not being able to conform to social norms of gender and sexuality not only contributed to violence against participants but shaped their trajectories into homelessness and sex work. The ‘new’ identities of being homeless and being sex workers intersected with their gay and, trans identities, exacerbating their vulnerability. The findings indicate that there is an urgent need for law supportive of sexuality and gender diverse youth to mitigate experiences of violence.

Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland

BackgroundAdolescent suicidality, suicidal ideation (SUI) and self-harming behaviour (SI) are major public health issues. One group of adolescents known to be particularly prone to suicidality and mental health problems is lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. Although the social acceptance of the LGB community has increased in recent years, LGB individuals are still at risk of mental health issues and suicidal behaviour. More longitudinal research looking into the associations between sexual orientation (SO) and facets of mental health across adolescence is warranted.MethodsThis research examined associations between sexual orientation, suicidal ideation and self-injury at 15, 17 and 20 years of age in a community-based sample of 1108 Swiss adolescents (51.1% females/48.9% males). At the age of 15 years, participants provided information regarding their SUI and SI. At 17 and 20 years of age, participants also reported their SO.ResultsTwelve percent of the female participants and 4.4% of the male participants reported identifying as LGB at 17 and 20 years of age. Self-reports of bi- or same-sex attraction increased over time in both genders, with the increase being more pronounced in females. LGB adolescents of both genders showed significantly higher percentages of SUI and SI at the ages of 17 and 20 years than their heterosexual peers.ConclusionsThe findings confirm a higher risk of SUI and SI in adolescents who identify as LGB. Future studies should develop interventions targeting mental health from early adolescence with the aim of reducing disparities related to SO.

Wellbeing beyond Binaries: A Qualitative Study of Wellbeing in Bisexual+ Youth

Multi-gender attracted (bisexual+) youth experience a high risk for suicide and mental health problems, but little is known about their protective factors. This study explored the challenges and supporting factors for wellbeing in a sample of diverse bisexual+ young people through semi-structured qualitative interviews. Participants (n = 15) were aged 17–25 years and were multi-gender attracted. The sample included young people who were transgender and gender diverse, culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal, living in regional areas, and on the asexual spectrum. This research demonstrated unique challenges and protective factors for bisexual+ wellbeing compared to other sexual minority youth. In particular, the findings highlight the exclusion and stigmatization that many bisexual+ young people face, including from within the LGBTQIA+ community. These experiences were more pronounced for some bisexual+ youth, including TGD or CALD young people. Consequently, bisexual+ youth often had limited social support and a sense of belonging, which can buffer against the impact of marginalization among lesbian and gay youth. Despite these challenges, young people were resilient, empathetic and tolerant of others. Those who had access to supportive environments, visibility, and information on their diversity found these healing. Wellbeing in bisexual+ youth was impacted by a myriad of intersecting aspects of identity and experience, highlighting the importance of intersectional approaches in understanding minority experiences. The findings underscore the need for targeted and intersectional services for sexually diverse youth to address the wellbeing needs of this diverse group.

Psychological Impact on Family of Transgender and Non-Conforming (TGNC) Children in Alex Gino’s “George” (Novel)

The paper is an attempt to contemplate the youth’s emotional, mental, romantic, and sexual orientation and its psychological influence on the members of the family. In novel, there is a discussion about sexual orientation, preferences for the minority individuals are somewhat or merely focused on the same sex. Writers like Christopher Isherwood, Evelyn Waugh, James Baldwin, Mary Renault have provided us with illuminating experience in their prose style on issues related to LGPTQ. The paper has accentuated the repertoire of qualitative literary review analysis, including qualitative data on the experience of parents of TGNC children. The paper delves with the dilemma of identification of one’s own sex and sense of self worth. The study focuses on the implications for transgender, gay, bisexual and lesbian youth and their family members’ psychological health and well being. Parental rejection and acceptance is the main concern. The importance of parents in the lives of youth is unassailable beginning with the birth of the child and affecting all relationships. Family Communication is an indispensable component when we talk about accepting and disclosing our hidden existence and feelings in front of our family member, whether parents or siblings. The main objective of the paper is to conceptualise the reactions of parents to the disclosure of their child’s identity, when one has been in disguise, ranging from acceptance to rejection: What are the consequences? How are they going to react? How are they going to manage stress level? How are they going to balance and maintain equality between the child and other children? Will they be able to appreciate their child’s heroism and endurance for revealing his/her true identity?

Sexual and Gender Identity-Based Microaggressions: Differences by Sexual and Gender Identity, and Sex Assigned at Birth Among Dutch Youth.

Research describes several sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions that sexual and gender minority (SGM) people might experience. We aimed to examine the occurrence of different sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions among SGM youth and to identify differences by sexual and gender identity, and sex assigned at birth. Open-ended questions about daily experiences were coded for 16 types of sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions in two daily diary studies among Dutch SGM youth (Study 1: N = 90, M age = 17.64 SD = 1.78; Study 2: N = 393, M age = 18.36 SD = 2.65). Several types of microaggressions were identified, and there was sizable variability in the reported frequency. Overall, lesbian women and bisexual youth were less likely to report microaggressions than gay youth. Bisexual youth were less likely to report use of heterosexist or transphobic terminology than gay youth and youth assigned male at birth were less likely to report invalidation of LGBTQ identity than youth assigned female at birth. Last, gender minority youth were more likely to report familial microaggressions, invalidation of LGBTQ identity, and threatening behaviors than cisgender youth. Overall, this study provides empirical support using mixed qualitative and quantitative methods for theorized typologies of microaggressions among Dutch SGM youth.