The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) released the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and unsure/questioning (LGBU) high school students. This was the first year that questions about sexual orientation appeared on the YRBS.
The results indicate that some 10% of high school students identified themselves as gay, lesbian or unsure. Overall, LGBU students had a greater risk for 27 of 30 behaviors as compared to heterosexual students, emphasizing the need for interventions to address behavioral and mental health care needs of all youth. Key findings show that LGBU students are:
· Four times more likely to have attempted suicide in the past 12 months; · Almost three times more likely to be threatened or injured with a weapon at school; · More than twice as likely to be hit, slapped, or hurt by a girlfriend or boyfriend; · Three times more likely to have had forced sexual intercourse and · Four times more likely to have not attended school due to unsafe feelings.
“As we get feedback from LGBU students about the issues they face, HEALTH can partner with schools and community agencies to develop interventions to reduce the health risk behaviors that impact LGBU students,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH.
“Students who are healthy and who make wise decisions about their health risks and their behavior are better prepared to succeed in school and are more likely to graduate from high school,” said Peter McWalters, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “I am concerned that many lesbian, gay bisexual and unsure or questioning students feel unsafe at school and often miss school because they fear for their safety. RIDE staff members will continue to work with the Statewide Task Force on LGBTQQ Youth to help alleviate these persistent problems in our schools.”
To see full survey reports, along with policy and program recommendations to support LGBU youth, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/chic/statistics/yrbs.php. To find a community action group near you, call 222-8951.