Life in the Margins: Marginalization and Mental Health among LGBTQ Youth

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

LGBTQ youth face marginalization in many different contexts of their lives, and are denied access to resources and opportunities that can help improve mental health. Access to such opportunities are critical, as research has consistently shown that LGBTQ youth face poorer mental health outcomes than do their non-LGBTQ peers. This symposium explores the relationship between marginalization and mental health by examining the prevalence and contributors of marginalization of LGBTQ youth, as well as LGBTQ youth’s access to opportunities to alleviate the negative effects of marginalization on mental health.
The first paper addresses the prevalence of homelessness among LGBTQ youth and how being denied access to stable housing is related to heightened risk of suicidality. The second paper examines the prevalence of mental health problems of LGBTQ students compared to their non-LGBTQ peers among youth who are members of their school’s Gay-Straight Alliance/Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), and posits that GSAs may provide a space to address these negative mental health outcomes. The third paper also examines the role of GSAs, and considers their effects on well-being for LGBTQ youth, specifically for LGBTQ youth of color who are marginalized for both their LGBTQ identity and their race/ethnicity. Finally, the fourth paper addresses the positive effects of LGBTQ youth participation in sports and further examines barrier to entry for transgender youth, who may be most marginalized in the very gendered environment of school sports.

Sub Unit

• Sex, Gender

Chair

• Caitlin M Clark, GLSEN

Individual Presentations

• The Relationship between Unstable Housing and Suicidality among LGBTQ Youth - Presenting Author: Amy Green, The Trevor Project; Non-Presenting Author: Myeshia N Price, The Trevor Project; Non-Presenting Author: Samuel Dorison, The Trevor Project

• Depression, anxiety, and interest in mental health resources in Gender-Sexuality Alliances - Presenting Author: Emily Finch, University of Denver; Non-Presenting Author: Paul Poteat, Boston College; Non-Presenting Author: Sarah Rosenbach, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Michael O'Brien, Boston College; Non-Presenting Author: Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Jerel P Calzo, San Diego State University

• Exploring the benefits of GSAs for student well-being across racial/ethnic groups - Presenting Author: Adrian Zongrone, GLSEN; Non-Presenting Author: Alicia Menard-Livingston

• LGBTQ Youth in Sports: Gender Identity and Mental Health - Presenting Author: Caitlin M Clark, GLSEN; Non-Presenting Author: Joseph G. Kosciw, GLSEN