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"What Does Gay Mean? How to Talk With Kids About Sexual Orientation and Prejudice", a Program for Parents

Bullying of students who are or are perceived to be gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender (GLBT) may have serious mental health implications. Students who are bullied are at increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders, school failure, verbal and physical harassment, and even suicide. A climate of intolerance and disrespect harms all students - those who experience bullying, those who observe it and those who perpetrate it. The severity of the situation is reflected in the results of a survey recently released by the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). The survey found that:

78% of students report that their peers who are gay or thought to be gay are teased or bullied in their schools or communities
93% of public high school students hear homophobic remarks "at least once in a while"
51% of these students report hearing such comments daily
One of every three gay students is physically harassed; and one of six of these students will be beaten seriously enough to require medical attention
Gay students are four times more likely to be threatened with a weapon at school
Gay students are three to seven times more likely than their straight peers to attempt suicide
Three of every four students targeted by anti-gay bullies are straight

To counter a climate of disrespect and intolerance, the National Mental Health Association has developed "What Does Gay Mean? How to Talk With Kids About Sexual Orientation and Prejudice", a program for parents. A brochure by the same name has been created as a resource to help parents and other adults speak with children about sexual orientation and diversity in an age-appropriate manner and to provide adults with factual information that counters stereotypes children may encounter. The brochure and other materials are available on the web site of the National Mental Health Association http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=DE292B2D-1372-4D20-C8F3A2E5B306884B or by contacting their Resource Center at 800-969-NMHA (6642).

The goal of the program is to reduce suffering caused by anti-gay bullying.

Information about other programs designed to address the needs of gay youth, such as the Healthy Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students Project, may be found on the web site of the American Psychological Association at http://www.apa.org/ed/hlgb.html, by e-mail at healthylgbstudents@apa.org or by telephoning Dusty Porter at 202-336-5977.

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