A leading researcher of vulnerable and marginalized adolescents including LGBTQ students said more inclusive school climates B次元官网网址� including Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) B次元官网网址� reduced suicides and suicide attempts by 50 per cent for straight males in B.C. last year.
called it a B次元官网网址渟urprise find.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淪uicidal thoughts and attempts actually go down by half [for straight males] in schools with GSAs and inclusive LGBTQ policies across the province,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
She was initially researching population-focused health disparities for LGBTQ people. In trying to understand the disparities, she recognized that there were much higher rates of bullying, discrimination and stigma reported among LGBTQ people. In fact, the rate of discrimination experienced by students who identify as LGBTQ is three times higher than reported by heterosexual youth.
On top of suicides and suicide attempts, myriad other health conditions were notably higher for LGBTQ youth. The reduction of suicide numbers for straight males might actually be tied to inclusive actions that improve conditions and reduce the same statistic for LGBTQ students, Dr. Saewyc surmised.
B次元官网网址淎 more supportive and inclusive climate creates an overall calm, lessening stress for straight people as well as those who identify within the LGBTQ community,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
B次元官网网址淗omophobic bullying, by boys especially, is a way of policing B次元官网网址榟ow to be a guy.B次元官网网址� They use it to rag on boys who donB次元官网网址檛 fit the classic macho stereotype,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said. B次元官网网址淲hat we think might be happening is, when youB次元官网网址檝e got a climate that supports and allows a diverse way of being B次元官网网址� that itB次元官网网址檚 OK to be gay and bi and the different ways you can manifest being gendered B次元官网网址� it takes pressure off of straight boys, too.B次元官网网址�
Dr. Saewyc said straight males can approach masculinity without having their credentials as a straight male questioned.
B次元官网网址淚t creates more breathing room for everyone to be more comfortable with who they are,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
B次元官网网址淏eing called gay B次元官网网址� or if people think youB次元官网网址檙e gay, even if youB次元官网网址檙e straight B次元官网网址� has an effect on mental health,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the B次元官网网址渕inority stressB次元官网网址� that goes with being a part of a marginalized group.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e learned that some of our society gives tacit permission for some kinds of bullying or harassment. People are figuring out gender identity and fitting inB次元官网网址� everyone wants to be unique and fit in at the same time. It can be very challenging to not be a part of the group,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
B次元官网网址淧eople who donB次元官网网址檛 meet stereotypical norms end up being the target for a lot of the bullying and harassment as an B次元官网网址榦utB次元官网网址� group. Picking on people is a way for some to feel like they are a part of the B次元官网网址榠nB次元官网网址� group.B次元官网网址�
When adults in the community donB次元官网网址檛 confront the harassment and donB次元官网网址檛 model supportive and inclusive behaviour, children feel like they have tacit approval. In places where adults are speaking out against LGBTQ people, children feel like they have permission to do the same.
Further, coming out is not an option for some children because their family would not support that admission, Dr. Saewyc said. Those children face the dual dilemma of bullying and the inability to open up to their parents for support.
GSA groups work to change the climate in schools. Dr. Saewyc said when schools have GSAs in place for at least a couple of years, it changes the level of reported discrimination and brings lower levels of the health concerns that are normally the key outcomes of bullying.
B次元官网网址淗aving the GSAs run by student groups, straight students can step up and be a part of advocating for inclusion and respect,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also important to recognize and be an important bystander. If you see someone being teased or threatened because of their gender orientation, step up. For adults, we have to speak out against stigma and discrimination when we see it.B次元官网网址�
Cyberbullying is another, more recent manifestation for LGBTQ youth.
It is theoretically less harmful because there is no physical abuse, but continuous access through texting and social media means there is nowhere to hide.
B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 escape it easily. Bullies feel anonymous, and they can immobilize quick a mob of trolls to jump on a particular circumstance,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
On the other hand, young people who might not get support where they live can find supportive friends and others online.
B次元官网网址淭hose groups can encourage them or celebrate them for who they really are so they feel safer about coming out, where they might not have that in their local community,B次元官网网址� Dr. Saewyc said.
john.white@castlegarnews.com
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