Elevated Rates of Suicidal Behavior in gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

Both clinical & epidemiological literature point to elevated rates of suicidal behaviours in gay, lesbian, & bisexual youth. Some recent studies of large populations indicate that gay, lesbian, & bisexual youth can have rates of serious suicide attempts at least 4 times those of apparently heterosexual youth. There are various reasons why this figure is likely to be an underestimate. Reasons for these elevated rates of suicidal behaviours include a climate of homophobia in schools, & sometimes in family & community. (50 refs.)