“It’s like walking through a hailstorm.”

An LGBTQ+ youth description of stigma in school*

​

LGBTQ+ youth experience many life stressors. Research shows that 71% have faced poor treatment and 20% have faced physical violence. Many of these youth do not tell anyone about their gender identity or sexual orientation out of fear of rejection. This causes issues in getting support, which makes it more likely that the negative treatment will continue.

 

These youth are more likely to experience HIV risk factors because of this poor treatment.  These risk factors include things like unstable housing, poverty, access to health education and care, and issues with law enforcement.