Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Teens often homeless: study
Sunday, 29. April 2012
Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston found that a quarter of gay and lesbian students are homeless, and homeless adolescents are more likely to be themselves without the support or supervision of their parents or guardians.Overall, the study found that less than 5 % of students said they were gay, lesbian or bisexual. This low %age of students, however, accounted for 19 % of those who reported being homeless.
Previous studies of homeless street youth found that sexual minorities occur in a much higher than what we expect according to their numbers in the community in general, the study’s lead author, Heather Corliss, Division of adolescents and young adults Medicine Children’s Hospital Boston, said in a hospital news release.
Surprisingly, they found that presenteeism is the main driver of health costs for employers – for all workers, not just those who are obese.
In addition, the authors noted that their findings are limited to Massachusetts, which may underestimate the number of homeless teens gays, lesbians and bisexuals around the country. The study could also not take into account adolescents absent from school the day the survey was conducted, and adolescents who have not responded to the survey honest about their sexual orientation.
Although only 3.2 % of the students were homeless strictly heterosexual, a %age that jumped to gay adolescents, lesbian or bisexual. Homelessness was reported by 25 % of gay and lesbian students, 15 per cent of bisexual students and 12.5 % of heterosexual teenagers who admitted to same-sex partners.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology provides more information about teen gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
The high risk of homelessness among teens of sexual minorities is a serious problem that requires immediate attention, he added. These teenagers face enormous risks and all types of obstacles to succeed in school and need a big help.
Teenage gays, lesbians and bisexuals are more vulnerable to homelessness than their heterosexual peers, new study results show.