MO Police Look At Book-burning incident

Re:GBLTQ? For YA’s – GLBT and Questioning “Q”
Hi folks:

From my studies of YA Materials and serious issues of banning books and displays, safe places for learning, and questioning – My use of “Q” for the YA Target group is a definite “Questioning”. Statistically, as Dr. Linda B. Alexander has reported in various meetings in Hillsborough County – Suicide is the number one killer of GLBT teens. I dont’ mind the “queer” label, personally, however, for students 13+, I think that “Q” for questioning is appropriate, as they explore information and coming of age through their expression or identification through literature, informational brochures/displays, support groups, teachers, librarians, media specialists, churches, parents etc. etc. So, in reference to the Banned Book Display, it is my opinion that “Q” stands for “Questioning”, which thanks to intellectual freedom in our country is open to open debate!

Shirley Rhodes

Some addional notes:

Well, it is confusing: According to http://www.glbtq.com/literature/am_lit3_gay_post_s tonewall.html GLBTQ relates to Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Queer Culture.

And, then http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/gsa/resources.html from the Rainbow Icon Archive has additional information.

And, the Queers and Allies dictionary – http://www.gustavus.edu/orgs/queers/main/dictionar y_full.html#q and lambda explanation http://www.freewebs.com/twinriversoutright/abitofh istory.htm

And, an older research site, but relevant on YA gays – SUICIDE

LGBT youth are 2-3 times more likely to attempt suicide that heterosexual young people. It is estimated that up to 30% of the completed youth suicides are committed by LGBT youth annually. Gibson, Paul. LCSW, “Gay Male and Lesbian Suicide,” Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Youth Suicide, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1989.

Typically, adolescent females are at far greater risk (10.3% attempt suicide) as compared to males (6.2% attempt suicide). In contrast to overall rates among adolescents in community-based studies, attempted suicide was reported by 39% of a consecutive series of 138 self-identified gay and bisexual males, ages 14 through 19, presenting at a social service agency for lesbian and gay adolescents in NYC. More than one-half of attempters had tried to kill themselves more than once, and suicide attempters were more likely to have dropped out of school, to be ejected from their homes, and to have friends or relatives who attempted suicide. Gay-related stressors were significantly more common among suicide attempters as compared to nonattempters, but general life stress was not higher. Rosario, M, Hunter, J., Rotheram-Borus, M.J. Journal of Adolescent Research, (Sage Publications) Vol. 9, No. 4, Oct. 1994, pp. 498-508.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

80% of LGB youth report severe problems due to cognitive, social and emotional isolation. Hetrick, E.S., Martin, A. D. “Developmental Issues and Their Resolution for Gay and Lesbian Adolescents.” Journal of Homosexuality, 1987. 13(1/2): 25-43.

HOMELESSNESS:

26% of LGBT youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over their sexual orientation. NGLTF, “Anti-Gay/Lesbian Victimization,” New York, 1984; and Remafedi, G. “Male Homosexuality: The Adolescent’s Perspective,” Pediatrics, 79:326-330, 1987.

LGBT youth constitute up to 25% of all youth living on the streets in the U.S. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1989.

CHEMICAL ABUSE

In a study of gay male adolescents, 68% reported alcohol use and 44% reported drug use. Among young lesbians, 83% had used alcohol, 56% had used drugs, and 11% had used crack/cocaine in the three months preceding the study. Rosario, M, Hunter, J., Rotheram-Borus, M.J. Unpublished data on lesbian adolescents, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, NY State Psychiatric Institute, NY NY 10032, 1992.

HIV/AIDS

The factors that place LGBT youth at very high risk for HIV transmission include: denial of sexual identity, unsafe sex, substance abuse and having to exchange sex for money. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, NY State Psychiatric Institute, NY NY 10032, 1992 and an unpublished June 1995 paper by Joyce Hunter and Priscilla Alexander entitled “Women Who Sleep with Women.”
Additionally, while the personalizing of knowledge about AIDS is known to be crucial in successful prevention strategies, “For lesbian and gay adolescents, the barriers to personalizing knowledge about AIDS are further complicated by a host of issues not faced by their hetersexual peers,” including fear of coming out, isolation, and lack of access to resources welcoming to them specifically. Hunter, J., Schaecher, R. “AIDS Prevention for LGB Adolescents,” Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 1994, pp. 346-354.

* Most stressful aspect is coming out to others or being discovered by others because of classmates’ homophobia.
* The most frequent abusers are fellow teens.
* Outcomes associated with harassment: school related problems, runaway and homelessness, conflict with the law, substance abuse, prostitution, suicide.
* 40% of sample experienced physical violence.
* Victimization compromises mental health.
* 12% of mothers and 18% of fathers rejected their children because of their sexuality.
* 41% had experienced strong negative reactions from friends.
* Family support and self-acceptance influence victimization and mental health.
* Support from other lesbians/gay men and non-judgemental heterosexuals is critical for development and acceptance of identity.
* Family support acts as a buffer against the deleterious effects of victimization.
* Gay students are an at-risk population: they run away, are thrown out by parents, are at high risk for suicide
* High risk for unprotected sexual experimentation.
* Many of the violent incidents happened at home.

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND SEXUAL IDENTITY:

* it is becoming easier to identify as gay
* because of that, though, it is more difficult to ignore homoerotic inclinations
* age of coming out is falling
* survey of high school juniors and seniors found less than 1% with a gay, lesbian or bisexual identity, but up to 6.4% reported homosexual attractions or behavior.
* less than 30% of those engaging in homosexual acts identified as homosexual.

SELF-DEVALUATION AND STIGMATIZATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY:

* incorporating society’s negative emotions/homophobia
* passing–hiding one’s sexual identity
* self-devaluation may lead to increased risk for drug abuse, suicide, pregnancy and HIV infection

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youths in Community Settings. D’Augelli & Hershberger. American Journal of Community Psychology. Vol 21, No. 4

* 41% of gay male sample had lost at least one friend because of sexual orientation.
* 73% male/27% female. Ages 17-21
* 21% often worried so much that they couldn’t get stuff done.
* This was significantly correlated with depression.
* 42% had made a past attempt of suicide.
* Male attempters had lower self-esteem
* Over 60% reported feeling overwhelmed in last year.
* Attempters were more ‘out’, had more worries about alcoholism, lower self-esteem.

The National Network of Runaway and Youth Services, 1-202-783-7949, 1319 F St. NW Suite 401, Washington DC 20004, has statistics about LGBT youth. They state “National Network members are increasingly aware of the large numbers of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth they serve, with some agencies reporting that these adolescents represent as many as 35 percent of their clients.”

Last updated 10/4/95 by Jean Richter, [email protected]
(Source: http://www.freewebs.com/twinriversoutright/statist icsandfacts.htm)

And, updated statistics from http://www.lamda.org – Lesbigay youth facts
It is estimated that in the U.S., a teen takes their own life every 5 hours because they are gay, bisexual, transgender, or lesbian, and cannot deal with the added stresses that society puts upon them.
Several studies have found that approximately 40% of homeless “street” teens self-identify as gay/lesbian yet there are relatively few resources specifically aimed at meeting their needs.
Homeless GLBT teens face increased risk for a variety of health and emotional problems.
GLB youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than non-gay teens, according to a 1989 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study.
The same study found that 30 percent of successful teen suicides are by gay or lesbian youths.
GLBT youth are attacked at alarmingly high rates nationwide.
Queer youth are more likely to be attacked physically.
Queer youth are at increased risk for drug/alcohol problems and dropping out of school.
An estimated 40% of street kids are lesbian or gay. These youth have either run away or been thrown out of their homes. Many get involved with prostitution and other abusive behaviors as a way of surviving
Many bisexual, gay and lesbian youth drop out of school due to harassment or low self-esteem, and fear of “being found out.”
Studies have found that more than 25% of gay and lesbian youth have severe drug and alcohol problems.
Those who believe they don’t know someone who is gay are more likely than those who do to reject equal rights for, and equal treatment of, GLBT people.
Early exposure to diversity and sexuality issues helps to reduce prejudice and homophobia, including internalized homophobia which often leads to self-destructive behaviors.
Teenagers and young adults are among the leading perpetrators of anti-gay violence. NOTE: This site continues with Young and Gay? Questioning? Looking for A Safe Place?
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