Oregon Healthy Teen Survey Data from Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Molly Franks, MPH Oregon Public Health Division April 2008

2 Question #1: Sexual orientation Which of the following best describes you? FemalesMalesTotal Heterosexual90.1%95.3%92.6% Gay or Lesbian1.3%1.4%1.3% Bisexual6.1%1.7%4% Not sure2.5%1.5%2% Total 100% (n=2855) 100% (n=2705) 100% (n=5560) 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

3 During your life, with whom have you had sexual contact? FemalesMales I have never had sexual contact39.9%37.8% Females3.5%56.6% Males49.5%3.4% Both males and females7%2.2% Total 100% (n=2852) 100% (n=2696) Question #2: Sexual contact 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

4 Adding them all up… Sexual Orientation/Sexual Behavior% of Total Heterosexual ID (No same-sex contact) 88.1% Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual ID (With or without same-sex contact) 5.3% Same-sex contact (Hetero or Not sure ID) 5.0% Not sure (No same sex contact) 1.6% Total 100.0% (n=5560) 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

5 Should we combine questions? Both female and male Non-concordants are between, and significantly different from, Hetero Concordants and LGB identified youth on outcomes such as: mental health, physical health, suicide attempts, forced sex, harassment. Males only – Sexual Identity by Sexual Contact No sexual contact Sexual Contact Total FemalesMales Males and Females Heterosexual38.1%58.3%2.5%1.0%100% (n=2556) Gay3.5%24.6%44.7%27.2%100% (n=27) Bisexual35.2%11.7%13.1%40.0%100% (n=43) Not sure46.6%39.1%4.5%9.8%100% (n=47)

6 *Higher values are more positive. All comparisons showed significant differences between hetero and LGBQ identified youth on within gender comparisons, p<.01 Female Male 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

7 LGBQ youth were significantly less likely to meet the PYD benchmark, p<.01 Ns are number of youth who meet the benchmark. Female Male 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

8 LGBQ youth were significantly more likely to report harassment, p<.01 Ns are number of youth who report harassment. Female Male 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

9 LGBQ youth were significantly more likely to report smoking in the past 30 days, p<.01 Ns are number of youth who report smoking. Female Male 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

10 Substance abuse in past 30 days Chi-squares for cross-tabulations between substance and sexual orientation, split by gender. Shaded pairs show significant differences, p<.05. FemalesMales HeteroLBQHeteroGBQ Binge drinking 26% (N=634) 25% (N=60) 29% (N=702) 39% (N=38) Marijuana 16% (N=403) 31% (N=68) 20% (N=440) 24% (N=27) Other drugs 7% (N=128) 17% (N=31) 9% (N=169) 29% (N=27) Prescription drugs 7% (N=155) 15% (N=32) 7% (N=160) 13% (N=16) 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

11 LGBQ youth were significantly more likely to report a suicide attempt in the past 12 months, p<.001. Ns are number of youth who report any suicide attempts Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data

12 Female Male * values are significantly different from one another, and ** values are significantly different from one another, p<.01. Ns are number of youth who report intercourse, forced sex, drug use, and being hurt Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 11 th grade data. * * * * ** * *

13 Using OHT results - key messages  Sexuality is fluid and difficult to categorize with discrete labels.  Almost 12% of Oregon 11th graders identify as LGBQ or have had same-sex sexual contact.  It appears there are significant differences among LGBQ youth, but small numbers necessitate combining the groups for analyses.

14 Key messages (continued)  Many youth who challenge heterosexual norms experience harassment and violence and are more likely to struggle with poor mental health, smoking and other drug use, and unsafe sexual behavior.  It’s important to take these problems seriously, but we shouldn’t only dwell on negative outcomes.

15 Moving forward - recommendations  Include positive, strengths-based indicators in data collection and interventions.  Expand data collection, e.g., include gender identity, focus on subgroups such as youth of color.  Combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies.  Use data to increase awareness of LGBTQ issues and motivate action in support of LGBTQ youth.  Use data to inform policy development on a state and local level.  Work with LGBTQ youth to develop and evaluate targeted programs, e.g., using “youth action research.”

16 More recommendations…  Include gender identity, sexual orientation and same-sex sexual behavior questions on intake and screening forms.  Support development of gay straight alliances.  Develop and systematically implement anti-bias curricula in schools.  Include sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-bullying policies.  Tailor drug and violence prevention programs to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth.  Develop supportive resources for parents to increase their support for their LGBTQ children.