3 In 2014, young gay and bisexual men accounted for 8 out of 10 HIV diagnoses among youth. 3 Nearly one-third (29%) of LGB youth had attempted suicide at least once in the prior year compared to 6% of heterosexual youth. LGB youth are at greater risk for depression, suicide, substance use, and sexual behaviors that can place them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 3 While not a direct measure of school performance, absenteeism has been linked to low graduation rates, which can have lifelong consequences.Ī complex combination of factors can impact youth health outcomes. 5%) more likely to not go to school at least one day during the 30 days prior to the survey because of safety concerns, compared with heterosexual students. 4-6 According to the 2015 YRBS, LGB students were 140% (12% v. 1Įxposure to violence can have negative effects on the education and health of any young person and may account for some of the health-related disparities between LGB and heterosexual youth. A positive school climate has been associated with decreased depression, suicidal feelings, substance use, and unexcused school absences among LGB students. However, some LGB youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience negative health and life outcomes.įor youth to thrive in schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and supported. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. Having a school that creates a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and having caring and accepting parents are especially important. Most lesbian, gay, bisexual, (LGB) youth are happy and thrive during their adolescent years. As that changes and data becomes available, this content will be updated to include information regarding transgender and questioning/queer youth. Historically, YRBS and other studies have gathered data on lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth but have not included questions about transgender and questioning/queer youth.
A gay woman was a prostitute, a gay man a womanizer, a gay house a brothel. Showy,” gay has had various senses dealing with sexual conduct since the 17th century. USAGE In addition to its original and continuing senses of “merry, lively” and “bright or merry is often interchangeable with gay: a merry disposition a merry party it suggests, even more than the latter, convivial animated enjoyment. joyful suggests gladness, happiness, rejoicing: joyful over the good news. jolly indicates a good-humored, natural, expansive gaiety of mood or disposition: a jolly crowd at a party. gay suggests a lightness of heart or liveliness of mood that is openly manifested: when hearts were young and gay. gay, jolly, joyful, merry describe a happy or light-hearted mood. Vivacious, frolicsome, sportive, hilarious. gleeful, jovial, glad, joyous, happy, cheerful, sprightly, blithe, airy, light-hearted