Violence Against Lesbian and Gay Male Youths

Abstract

This article documents the incidence of violent assaults toward lesbian and gay male youths and those youths' suicidal behavior. Data were obtained by reviewing charts for the first 500 youths seeking services in 1988 at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, a community-based agency serving lesbian and gay male adolescents in New York City. The adolescents, who ranged in age from 14 to 21 years, were predominantly minority (35% Black, 46% Latino) and typically were referred by peers, media, schools, and emergency shelters. Of the youths, 41% in the sample reported having suffered violence from families, peers, or strangers; 46% of that violence was gay-related. These reports of violence occurred in conjunction with a high rate of suicide attempts: 41% of the girls and 34% of the boys who experienced violent assaults reported having attempted suicide. These alarming rates indicate the need for more systematic monitoring of violence toward and suicidal behavior among lesbian and gay male youths.

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