A leading researcher of vulnerable and marginalized adolescents including LGBTQ students said more inclusive school climates 香蕉视频直播� including Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) 香蕉视频直播� reduced suicides and suicide attempts by 50 per cent for straight males in B.C. last year.

called it a 香蕉视频直播渟urprise find.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淪uicidal thoughts and attempts actually go down by half [for straight males] in schools with GSAs and inclusive LGBTQ policies across the province,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

She was initially researching population-focused health disparities for LGBTQ people. In trying to understand the disparities, she recognized that there were much higher rates of bullying, discrimination and stigma reported among LGBTQ people. In fact, the rate of discrimination experienced by students who identify as LGBTQ is three times higher than reported by heterosexual youth.

On top of suicides and suicide attempts, myriad other health conditions were notably higher for LGBTQ youth. The reduction of suicide numbers for straight males might actually be tied to inclusive actions that improve conditions and reduce the same statistic for LGBTQ students, Dr. Saewyc surmised.

香蕉视频直播淎 more supportive and inclusive climate creates an overall calm, lessening stress for straight people as well as those who identify within the LGBTQ community,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

香蕉视频直播淗omophobic bullying, by boys especially, is a way of policing 香蕉视频直播榟ow to be a guy.香蕉视频直播� They use it to rag on boys who don香蕉视频直播檛 fit the classic macho stereotype,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said. 香蕉视频直播淲hat we think might be happening is, when you香蕉视频直播檝e got a climate that supports and allows a diverse way of being 香蕉视频直播� that it香蕉视频直播檚 OK to be gay and bi and the different ways you can manifest being gendered 香蕉视频直播� it takes pressure off of straight boys, too.香蕉视频直播�

Dr. Saewyc said straight males can approach masculinity without having their credentials as a straight male questioned.

香蕉视频直播淚t creates more breathing room for everyone to be more comfortable with who they are,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

香蕉视频直播淏eing called gay 香蕉视频直播� or if people think you香蕉视频直播檙e gay, even if you香蕉视频直播檙e straight 香蕉视频直播� has an effect on mental health,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

It香蕉视频直播檚 the 香蕉视频直播渕inority stress香蕉视频直播� that goes with being a part of a marginalized group.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e learned that some of our society gives tacit permission for some kinds of bullying or harassment. People are figuring out gender identity and fitting in香蕉视频直播� everyone wants to be unique and fit in at the same time. It can be very challenging to not be a part of the group,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

香蕉视频直播淧eople who don香蕉视频直播檛 meet stereotypical norms end up being the target for a lot of the bullying and harassment as an 香蕉视频直播榦ut香蕉视频直播� group. Picking on people is a way for some to feel like they are a part of the 香蕉视频直播榠n香蕉视频直播� group.香蕉视频直播�

When adults in the community don香蕉视频直播檛 confront the harassment and don香蕉视频直播檛 model supportive and inclusive behaviour, children feel like they have tacit approval. In places where adults are speaking out against LGBTQ people, children feel like they have permission to do the same.

Further, coming out is not an option for some children because their family would not support that admission, Dr. Saewyc said. Those children face the dual dilemma of bullying and the inability to open up to their parents for support.

GSA groups work to change the climate in schools. Dr. Saewyc said when schools have GSAs in place for at least a couple of years, it changes the level of reported discrimination and brings lower levels of the health concerns that are normally the key outcomes of bullying.

香蕉视频直播淗aving the GSAs run by student groups, straight students can step up and be a part of advocating for inclusion and respect,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 also important to recognize and be an important bystander. If you see someone being teased or threatened because of their gender orientation, step up. For adults, we have to speak out against stigma and discrimination when we see it.香蕉视频直播�

Cyberbullying is another, more recent manifestation for LGBTQ youth.

It is theoretically less harmful because there is no physical abuse, but continuous access through texting and social media means there is nowhere to hide.

香蕉视频直播淵ou can香蕉视频直播檛 escape it easily. Bullies feel anonymous, and they can immobilize quick a mob of trolls to jump on a particular circumstance,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

On the other hand, young people who might not get support where they live can find supportive friends and others online.

香蕉视频直播淭hose groups can encourage them or celebrate them for who they really are so they feel safer about coming out, where they might not have that in their local community,香蕉视频直播� Dr. Saewyc said.

john.white@castlegarnews.com
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