LGBT youth who are out to their immediate family or at school report higher levels of happiness, optimism, acceptance and support, according to a new report on LGBT youth that the Human Rights Campaign released.
"Growing Up LGBT in America," released on National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), revealed (for example) that among youth who are not out at school, the most frequent obstacle they describe is that teachers or classmates will treat them differently or judge them.
"We know that LGBT youth who are out and accepted by even a handful of close friends or family are happier, and everyone has a role in creating an environment in which youth feel safe and comfortable being themselves," said Ellen Kahn, director of the HRC Family Project and a professional social worker. "Today, we should all consider what more we can be doing—from the conversations we have at the kitchen table or in the workplace, to comments made by national leaders in the media."
The full report is at www.hrc.org/youth.
