Are gay and lesbian youth at high risk for suicide?
Research studies vary greatly in their estimates of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth who die by suicide. Recent analyses of research indicates that even though adolescents who report same-sex romantic attractions or relationships are at 2 to 3 times the risk for suicide attempts, the overwhelming majority of these youth report no suicidality at all. The risk factors of discrimination, victimization, bullying, and so forth, whether gay or straight, no matter what race or ethnicity, are important to consider in suicide prevention. Further research needs to be done on the risk factors as well as the unique strengths that characterize the lives of sexual minority adolescents and young adults.