The Issue of Suicide in the LGBTQ Community Essay Example
LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people are normally at high risk for various health threats compared to their straight peers. Differences in their sexual orientation account for some of the challenges LGBTQ community face, while others are related to social inequities like stigmatization and discrimination. According to the Center for Disease and Control, (2014), negative perceptions towards the LGBT people expose them to violent experiences such as bullying and suicidal-related behaviors. Specifically, bullying results to feelings of isolation, rejection, and exclusion by peers, factors that contribute to suicidal behaviors. However, Movement Advancement Project Report, (2011) maintains that individual experiencing bullying do not necessarily become suicidal but they at times, have suicidal thoughts and attempts. The most affected age group is the youth, especially in a school setting. Approximately 12-18% o
...f LGBTQ youth in school are threatened or physically assaulted. With this, I think most of the youth tend to develop suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts and suicide more times that their heterosexual counterparts.
Suicidal rates among the LGBTQ community increase with age with those in midlife years recording highest rates. Specifically, Haas, Herman, and Rodgers, (2014), suggested that approximately 45% of youth between the age of 18-44 years registered suicidal attempts while those at 55-64 years had 33%. This is equivalent to 2-6 times higher than the heterosexual individuals. In terms of gender, Movement Advancement Project report, (2011), stipulates that 80% of male die as a result of suicide while 75% of female make a suicidal attempt. Two factors remain the cause of LGBTQ suicides regardless of age; stigma both from peers and family and anti-LGBTQ hostility.
In my view, LGBTQ community has needs just like other
people and therefore they should be treated equally whether in school or at home regardless of the values, so as to reduce the increasing suicidal rates. I agree with Movement Advancement Project Report, (2011) that through emphasizing on individual and collective responsibility in supporting the LGBT people suicidal risks can be minimized. This means that people will be reminded that they have the responsibility to promote cultural values that accommodate the LGBT people as they are. Besides, the LGBTQ people contemplating suicide can be assisted by directing them to supportive resources to receive help. In my opinion, family acceptance and support not only forms a factor to reduce suicide but also nurtures the LGBT person emotionally and psychologically. Apart from that, I think that most LGBT student will tend to miss classes as they feel threatened and unsafe resulting in suicidal attempts. To avoid this, Centre for Disease Control, (2014) suggests that all the students should be encouraged to prohibit habits like bullying or harassment. Also, the school management can assist by developing training for both students and teachers on how to establish a safe and supportive environment for all students regardless of their sexual orientation.
References
- Centre for Disease Control, (2014). LGBT Youth. Available; http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm
Movement Advancement Project Report. (2011). - Talking About Suicide and it’s Population. https://www.lgbtmap.org/file/talking-about-suicide-and-lgbt-populations.pdf. Accessed on 1 July 2016
- Hass, A. P, Rodgers, P. L & Herman, J. L. (2014) Suicide Attempts among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults. American Foundation for Suicide preventions
