For more information about sexual orientation and gender identification among young people.

• MPIPP Fact Sheet: The Mental Health Consequences of Bullying. Click here to read or download.
• Answers to Your Questions: For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality — Developed by the American Psychological Association: Click here for full brochure.
• Answers to Your Questions about Transgender Individuals and Gender Identity — Developed by the American Psychological Association: Click here for full brochure.
• Answers to Your Questions about Individuals with Intersex Conditions — Developed by the American Psychological Association: Click here for full brochure.
• Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel (Updated 2008 edition): Click here for full brochure.
  
  This general information booklet for educators was developed and endorsed by the following organizations:
  
  American Academy of Pediatrics
  American Counseling Association
  American Association of School Administrators
  American Federation of Teachers
  American Psychological Association
  American School Health Association
  Interfaith Alliance Foundation
  National Association of School Psychologists
  National Association of Social Workers
  National Education Association
  
• LGBTQ Toolbox: Developed by the American Psychological Association, the LGBTQ Toolbox is a collection of resources and documents that supplement information provided in the school staff development workshop, "Preventing Health Risks and Promoting Healthy Outcomes among LGBTQ Youth." www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/hlgbsp/toolbox.aspx
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons: This NASW research web page focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) social work research. It provides an overview of an under-researched set of social concerns and provides links to resources and a collection of publications by social work researchers. This web page of the National Association of Social Workers also contains a number of research citations. www.socialworkpolicy.org/research/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-persons.html

BULLYING

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Often, it is repeated over time. Children and youth who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), or are perceived to be so, can face unrelenting teasing and bullying by their peers. Bullying can range from derogatory comments to physical assaults. Significant research shows that some of those who experience bullying behavior by others have long-term effects, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Stop Bullying Now: This website, developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration in the federal government, has tip sheets for various audiences (parents, students, school personnel, law enforcement, mental health advisors and student advisors). The tip sheets reference mental health research specifically for LGBTQ students. www.stopbullying.gov
• SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION: This national organization has numerous resources available for school administrators, parents and young people. Go to the web page listed and click on the topic you are interested in for more information and .pdf downloads. www.safeschoolscoalition.org/blackboard-topic.html
• MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association): While trying to deal with all the challenges of being a teenager, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender (GLBT) teens additionally have to deal with harassment, threats and violence directed at them on a daily basis. FACT SHEET: "Bullying in Schools: Harassment Puts Gay Youth at Risk": Click here for a pdf of this fact sheet.
• AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY Facts for Families: Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Adolescents: Click here for the pdf file.
• Statement of the American Psychological Association's Division 44 made in response to a recent series of youth suicides by young people who were LGBTQ (or perceived to be).

SUICIDE RISK AND PREVENTION FOR LGBTQ YOUTH

• Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth — A 2008 report from The Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Written by Center staff and reviewd by experts in sexual and gender minority issues, suicide, and suicide prevention, and by youth, this publication addresses the special concerns related to suicide prevention among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Research conducted by experts in mental health, suicide prevention and other fields shows that a higher proportion of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth consider and attempt suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. Based on the higher rate of suicide attempts among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth and the relative seriousness of these attempts, the authors of this report postulate that it is likely these youth experience higher rates of suicide deaths than non-LGB youth. Less research about transgender youth is available, but these youth generally share risk factors associated with suicidal behavior (such as victimization, depression and substance abuse) with their LGB peers.
  
  Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth draws on research from the past 10 years to summarize the current state of knowledge about suicidality in LGBT youth, and outlines 21 recommendations for helping to reduce suicidal behavior in this group. These recommendations are appropriate for agencies, organizations and individuals such as school staff, health and social service providers, suicide prevention programs, and researchers, as well as funders and organizations serving LGBT youth.
  
  Recommendations re in the following areas:
  
  * Lowering risk specific to or disparately affecting LGBT youth;
  * Improving provider recognition of youth at risk;
  * Increasing outreach and access to services;
  * Increasing coping and protective factors among these youth.
  
  The paper, coauthored by Effie Malley, Marc Posner and Lloyd Potter, includes a resource appendix and an extensive bibliography. The paper may be read in pdf format by clicking here.
• An Overview of Suicide Risks among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth. Developed by the National Association of Social Workers: www.helpstartshere.org/mind-and-spirit/an-overview-of-suicide-risks-among-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-questioning-lgbtq-youth.html
• How Social Workers Help: Preventing Suicide in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. Developed by the National Association of Social Workers. Click here for pdf file.

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) student surveys and reports

2009 (released September 14, 2010):

• 2009 National School Climate Survey Sheds New Light on Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Students (164 pages .pdf): Click here for a pdf file of the survey.
• Key Findings from 2009 Study: press release available at www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2624.html?state=research&type=research
• Michigan Data: Michigan LGBT student data from 2009 GLSEN survey: Research Brief available at: Click here for a pdf file of the Michigan data.

2005 (released on October 11, 2005):

• From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America — A National Report on School Bullying (2005) — conducted by Harris Interactive (114 pages .pdf): www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/1859.html
• Executive Summary: Click here for pdf file.
• Key Findings from 2005 National Study: press release available at: www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/1859.html?state=research&type=research
• Michigan Data: From Teasing to Torment: New Survey Demonstrates Severity of Bullying and Harassment in Michigan Schools available at: www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/000/000/514-1.pdf