Bullying and homelessness are far more likely to impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students compared to heterosexual kids, a new report shows.
Using data from the 2015 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the report published Wednesday by the city Department of Health found that 24% of LGBTQ students experienced bullying on school property, compared with 13% of non-LGBTQ youth.
And compared to non-LGBTQ youth, more LGBTQ youth left home because they had been kicked out, had run away or had been abandoned, the report says.
Roughly 11% of LGBTQ kids polled in 2015 had left home, compared to about 7% of their non-LGBTQ peers.
The report also found that about half of LGBTQ students polled had experienced depression, compared to about a quarter of their non-LGBTQ peers.
Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said the figures show that the city must take action to aid LGBT youth.
“The unfair treatment experienced by the LGBTQ community, especially young people, cannot be ignored or left unaddressed,” Bassett said.
“Stress, bullying and depression are damaging the overall health, and hindering the future, of thousands of teenagers across the city.”
City schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said Education Department officials have rolled out a number of efforts in public schools designed to support LGBT students.
Fariña hired the public schools’ first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community liaison, Jared Fox, in 2016.
In March she issued updated guidelines that require school staffers to address city transgender students using the pronouns the kids prefer.
And in May Fariña said every city school would arrange for at least one designated single-stall restroom to protect students with medical issues or gender concerns.
“Schools must provide safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all students — regardless of their sexual orientation,” Fariña said.
