Argumentative Essay On Lgbt

How is it that problems such as bullying and suicide are so prominent in a world considered to be the most advanced it has ever been? Among today’s youth, suicide is an important and rising concern. In communities around the United States of America, this problem especially affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Bullying against such individuals is still a relevant issue despite efforts for equal rights. Support systems are an important part of stopping these reoccurring tragedies. From now on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender will be referred to as LGBT. Many alterable factors affect LGBT mental health including suicide prevention, bullying, and culture. In relation to suicide, there are many disparities between non-heterosexual youth and heterosexual youth. Suicide rates among LGBT youth are significantly higher than suicide rates for heterosexual youth (Hatzenbueler, 2011, p. 896). Suicide is an economical issue as well as a social and personal issue (“Facts”). People who attempt suicide are likely to try multiple times. The differences between straight and non-straight youth suicide rates are significant. “Studies of human sexuality have noted high rates of suicidality among homosexual youth, but the problem has not been systematically examined” (Remafedi, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991, p. 869). LGBT teens have higher rates of suicide and mental illness than heterosexual teens. In one study, the average attempt rate for heterosexual teens was 4.3% while the average suicide rate for sexual minorities was 21.5% (Hatzenbuehler, 2011, p. 896). Some may say that this is because of bullying or because of unsupportive households, and that is not a wrong idea. As one study said, “The robust pattern of results, particularly with regards to suicidality, highlights the severity and pervasiveness of disparities between SMY and heterosexual youth” (Marshal et al., 2011, p. 7). In addition to the effects of bullying and family, LGBT individuals are more likely to have a mental disorder than their heterosexual counterparts (DeAngelis, 2002). This is not to say that LGBT people are all mentally ill, but due to environmental factors the rate for LGBT depression and anxiety is higher than that of heterosexual people. Suicide and depression are also linked to coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (Remafedi, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991, p. 873). One may say that this is because of bullying and unsupportive communities. Words of unkindness and prejudice against someone who is coming into their self-identity can trigger depressive symptoms and lead to reclusiveness. Heterosexual individuals do not have to worry about being bullied about their sexual orientation because heterosexuality is the majority population of sexual orientations. One may ask, “Why is suicide awareness important?” Suicide awareness is important because one cannot prevent something if they do not know what it is. In a report released by the CDC in 2014, suicide was listed as the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults ages 15-24. The youth of today are almost more likely to die by their hand than to die by the hand of another. Awareness is important especially when associated with the LGBT community. This is because of the high percentage of suicide attempts with LGBT youth. Suicide awareness can prevent future attempts. Human beings will return to old habits. However, when those old habits cause harm to a person or the others around them, then there is a social problem. Those who have attempted suicide in the past are more than 10 times as likely to attempt again (Liu and Mustanski, 2012, p. 437). This is concerning especially with young people because with so many years left of their …show more content…
1 in 4 non-heterosexual children are predicted to be bullied per year (“Gay Bullying”, 2013). Bullying among children is already a problem in schools. Now that gay and lesbian politics have become such a large part of society, the opinions and politics of life have rubbed off on children. For someone who is already fragile in their self-identity, such as someone who is trying to find out their sexual orientation or gender identity, a bully can leave lasting psychological scars and trigger the start of depression. Examples of traits and behaviors that can initiate bullying behaviors against a person are gender non-conformity and “coming out” as LGBT (“Suicidal Ideation”, 2012, p.