Table
3: Studies reporting on gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth
suicide attempt incidences.
Related Factors/Reasons:
Attempted suicide incidence for for sexually abused (76%), physically abused
(72%), emotionally / psychologically abused (56%). Reasons for attempt:
confusion / difficulty with sexual orientation (29%), sadness / depression
(18%), parental abuse (16%), fear of rejection (15%), hopelessness / no
purpose (9%), 75% of PTS members had had a plan for suicide, but only 15/83
(19.5%) had attempted suicide, while 27/46 (60%) of youth not attending
PTS (Pink Triangle Services - for youth) had attempted suicide.NOTE: This
youth group, HMI and Horizon (see below) report the lowest attempted suicide
rate for GLB youth samples.
Related Factors/Reasons:
Emotional isolation for 95%. Sexually abused, 22%. Rape common, especially
in institutions. If known to be GB, "rape probable rather than possible"
in group homes / shelters. Lesbians also at risk for rape. HMI reported
having 9 youth in treatment for a suicide attempt but they had not yet
revealed their sexual orientation to therapist.
26. Herdt, Gilbert, and Boxer,
Andrew. Children of Horizon: How Gay and Lesbian Teens Are Leading a
New Way Out of the Closet. Beacon Press, Boston, Mass., 1993.
27. Magnuson, Curtis. Lesbian
and gay youth in Ottawa: the importance of community, 1992. Available
from Pink Triangle Services, Ottawa. Also available as a Master's thesis,
Carleton University, Ottawa.
28. Martin, AD., and Hetrick,
ES. The stigmatization of the gay and lesbian adolescent. Journal of
Homosexuality, 1988; 15(1/2): 163-183.
32. Roesler, T, and Deisher,
RW. Youthful Male Homosexuality. JAMA
(Journal of the American Medical
Association), 1972; 219(8): 1018-1023.