As Youth Come Out Earlier, Support Can Save Lives
A Trevor Project research brief on coming out and suicide risk highlights the importance of a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youthLGBTQ+ youth are coming out at younger and younger ages, and for some of them it’s hazardous, notes the research brief, “Age of Sexual Orientation Outness and Suicide Risk,” released Monday.
But that’s not because of coming out itself — it depends on the level of support they receive.Using data from the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, the brief examines the association between LGBTQ+ youth’s age of coming out about their sexual orientation and suicide risk.Among the key findings:• LGBTQ+ youth are coming out about their sexual orientation at younger ages.
LGBTQ+ youth in the sample who were aged 13-17 came out on average at age 13, while those aged 18-24 came out on average at age 16.• Those who came out before age 13 had increased odds of suicide risk.
Fifty-six percent of LGBTQ+ youth who came out before age 13 seriously considered suicide in the past year, compared to 42 percent of those who came out later.
