Transgender

Trangender individuals have also been found to have high rates of suicidal ideation. In a study by Mathy (2002), transgender men and women were actually more likely to have suicidal thoughts and make suicide attempts than non-transgender heterosexual women and both non-transgender heterosexual and gay men. These findings held true for all transgender participants regardless of their sexual orientation.

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Risk Factors

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and people face many additional risk factors for suicide besides those that are typically cited for suicide in the general population, such as depression and substance abuse. Social inequality is a source of stress for many glbtq people, who are not afforded the same rights and protections as heterosexuals.

Not only are discriminatory practices against glbtq people routine both institutionally and individually, but glbtq people also frequently experience verbal and physical harassment. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in particular often face victimization at school and at home for their sexual orientation and/or gender expression. Glbtq people of color may be at greater risk than others, as they have a "double" or "triple-minority" status for their race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and, for some, gender.

In addition, "coming out" at an earlier age can put glbtq youth at increased risk for suicide, as they are more likely to be rejected by friends at an age where their support is especially valued. Internalized is another possible risk factor, as many glbtq people internalize the negative messages that they get from society and come to hate themselves.

When glbtq youth do not have support, they are at an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Access to support groups can help youth decrease the isolation that they may feel and can give them alternative ways to deal with stressors. Support from peers and family members can also be very helpful.

Obviously, not all glbtq individuals are suicidal. Quite the opposite is true. Most glbtq people find the strength to cope with the additional stressors in their lives and lead successful lives despite the discrimination that they face from society.

Interestingly, however, a study by Jesdale and Zierler (2002) actually found that in states that enacted gay rights laws, there was a decrease in adolescent suicide for Caucasian males. While a definitive causational link cannot be made, this study offers hope that by creating a more accepting climate for glbtq people, we can decrease the rate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among this population.

The ordinary sexual uncertainty and confusion confronted by all adolescents is compounded in glbtq adolescents by fears of being stigmatized and often by internalized homophobia.

The socially and politically conservative Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long been antagonistic to the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.

Homophobia was originally defined as a "dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals," but it is now sometimes used to describe any form of anti-gay bias.

Sex education programs are vulnerable to the attempts of religious radicals to hijack the sex education movement as a means of disseminating their own repressive blend of intolerance and fear.

As an academic field, sociology has only recently begun to examine sexuality, and members of the profession are divided over glbtq concerns.

Stigmas--physical or personal attributes and behaviors that discredit the individuals and groups who possess them--affect all glbtq people.

"Transgender" has become an umbrella term representing a political alliance between all gender variant people who do not conform to social norms for typical men and women and who suffer political oppression as a result.

The Trevor Project, a Los Angeles-based educational organization, operates the only national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hot line in the U.S. aimed at glbtq youth.