Supporting Young LGBT People Andrew Gilliver Community Involvement Manager LGBT Foundation Name Position

Youth Chances 2014 Action research project working to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people across England. The survey features the voices of over 7000 young people aged and is the most recent and comprehensive survey of LGBT young people.

Key Findings All respondents perceive that discrimination against LGBTQ people in general is still common and this is confirmed by the higher levels of discrimination, and disadvantage that young people experience. LGBTQ young people feel substantially less accepted in their local community than their heterosexual, non-trans counterparts particularly in religious organisations and sport.

Key Findings LGBTQ young people experience significantly higher levels of verbal, physical & sexual abuse. Nearly 1 in 10 of LGBTQ young people (8%) have had to leave home for reasons relating to their sexuality or gender identity. Most young LGBTQ people feel that their time at school is affected by hostility, fear, feeling left out, lower grades, having to move schools. Most report that their school supported its pupils badly in respect of sexuality or gender identity.

Schools & S.R.E Schools also neglect areas that are known to be public health concerns. Sex and relationships education is not inclusive of LGB relationships and does not provide young people with the emotional and sexual health information they need. This is a particular concern for young gay and bisexual men who are at higher risk of STIs and HIV.

Key Findings LGBTQ young people experience less discrimination at university & work, which are rated as environments that are much more tolerant and supportive than school. LGBTQ young people report significantly higher levels of mental health problems: depression,anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts. High rates of poor mental health were found in the whole sample.

Trans young people Trans young people face the greatest levels of disadvantage and discrimination and report lower overall satisfaction with their lives. 36% of trans respondents agreed with the statement ‘In most ways my life is close to my ideal’, compared to 47% of LGBQ respondents and 51% of heterosexual non-trans respondents.

Key Findings It is clear that the needs of LGBTQ young people for support and help are great yet only a minority of areas in England have services addressing the specific needs of young LGBTQ people and there is little evidence of local service commissioning for the specific needs of LGBTQ young people.

Gay Male,30 You could only imagine having a gay child was difficult, my parents were told that I was gay before, I could even spell it. As time went on, what took place, made me not believe in God. I didn't understand how a happy kid could be tortured so much by people who prayed.’

Trans man,24 Before I transitioned, I was a very frightened and lonely person. I couldn’t hold a conversation, let alone speak in public, without panicking. I couldn’t make friends. And, worst of all, I struggled to connect with God. Transitioning changed all of that. In growing into my true, God- created and creating self, I have discovered the joy of conversation, friendship, love and connection.

Quotes I was thrown out of a church, because I was perceived as being gay. I had to explain to a 14 year old why I disagreed with his minister’s evaluation that people like me were not real Christians. I still – after being engaged to my beautiful partner for three years – cannot get married in my church.

Common Issues The most common enquires LGBT Foundation receive from or regarding young people are across all ages - you don’t have to be a youth worker or expert to support a young LGBT person. Reassurance, Positive Identity, Coming Out, Bullying, Hate Crime, Schools, Parental support. Support for Trans

Reassurance Young people seeking reassurance about their identities is quite common. Listen to the young person’s situation before providing reassurance to ensure that it is most relevant and helpful. Find out about their support networks and the beliefs of them and the people around them.

Be Positive It is very common for young people to get distressed about labels. It can be reassuring to hear that sexual orientation, gender identity and feelings are personal and about how that person feels - not others. Self-confidence, positive identity, belief and happiness is more important than the pressure to have a label.

Don’t Label Me! Visibility is really important and often a way to help young people find a place of acceptance and possibly inspiration too. The young person’s self-confidence, positive identity, belief and happiness is perhaps more important than the pressure to have a label.

Coming Out Can seem like the biggest thing in the world. Take time to learn about the young person’s situation – it may not be safe for them to come out or the right time. Enquire about support from friends, peers, teachers, youth workers, carers, parents etc. and their beliefs/likely reactions. Young people often ask for advice on how to come out.

Coming out support LGBT Foundation Coming Out guide advice/coming-out-support/ advice/coming-out-support/ Stonewall’s Coming Out FAQs ming_out.pdf ming_out.pdf

Being bullied / Hate Crime If the young person has experienced a hate crime or is being bullied, letting them know about their options for reporting and encourage them to access support. Is there a parents, carer, teacher, youth worker, professional they can report the incident to and access support from?

It Gets Better Offer reassurance that the person is doing the right thing by talking about/reporting it Bullying UK and the It Get’s Better Project may provide reassurance for young people who are being bullied.

Schools & Colleges Checklist Does the bullying policy reference homophobia, biphobia and transphobia? Have teachers had diversity training or LGBT awareness training? Do they cover LGBT people/topics in the curriculum? Are homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and statements challenged?

Checklist Do they have LGBT resources available in school? Are they aware of their local LGBT service/centre? Are there positive LGBT themed displays around school? Do the school celebrate LGBT dates in the calendar?

Parents & Carers How best to support their children, deal with and get used to their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Homophobic, biphobic or transphobic opinion may come from a place of misunderstanding or worry so be patient and reassuring, softly challenge where appropriate – they need support too.

Handy information LGBT youth groups & local LGBT organisations. Groups for parents and carers: Manchester Parents Group Manchester Merpeople - Parents of Trans children (Manchester LGBT Centre) FFLAG (National) Sarah’s Group (Allsorts Youth – Brighton) Proud 2 B (for LGBT Parents in Manchester

Trans Support Do the school know of trans young people’s rights and the schools responsibility to support young trans people? The Allsorts trans inclusion document has great advice for schools and colleges on how to support trans pupils. content/uploads/2014/02/Trans-Inclusion- Schools-Toolkit.pdf content/uploads/2014/02/Trans-Inclusion- Schools-Toolkit.pdf

Support Available The Proud Trust Formerly ‘LGBT Youth North West’ A number of reports on how best to support young people in a range of settings urces-2/research/ urces-2/research/

Greater Mancs LGBT Youth Groups You can find information on all LGBT youth groups throughout Greater Manchester and across the North West on The Proud Trust’s website young-people-2/lgbtyouthgroups

The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) supports young LGBT year olds who are made homeless or living in a hostile environment. They also work in London and Newcastle. They offer counselling, alternative living and a range of support services for LGBT young people |

Thank You Tel: ext.333 LGBT FOUNDATION: Helpline: Web: Lgbt.foundation