National Day Youth Report OUT

1 BEING INTRO DUC TION

Growing Up LGBT in America—the ’s groundbreaking research among more than 10,000 LGBT–identified youth ages 13 to 17—illustrated how the deck is stacked against young people growing up , , bisexual or . Survey responses revealed that many LGBT youth are profoundly disconnected from their communities, in sometimes stark ways. Still, LGBT youth often report resilience in facing today’s challenges and optimism about tomorrow’s possibilities.

This report for National Coming Out Day explores the coming out experiences of the LGBT youth who responded to the survey—to whom they come out, in what settings, obstacles they experience, and the ways in which coming out may be related to their personal well–being, sense of safety, and their connections to family, school and community.

2 1 NOT OUT TO TALK TO OUT 2/3 About two–thirds (64%) HAVE AN ADULT SUMMARY are out to their classmates; OUT NOT OUT 1/3 61% are out at school. HAVE AN ADULT Youth who are out to their immediate family and those OUT who are out at school are more likely to report being NOT OUT happy than those who are not out in those settings. NOT OUT Youth who are out to their 41% of youth who are out to immediate family say they are immediate family are twice as likely to report OUT “pretty happy” or “very happy” while 33% of youth who are not out say the same; 40% of youth who are out at school say they having an adult in their More than half (56%) are out to are “pretty happy” or “very happy” while 33% of youth who are family they could talk to their immediate family. not out say the same. if they were sad.

63% of youth who are out to their immediate family say Youth who are out at school are more likely than those Among youth who are not they have an adult in their who are not out to be involved in LGBT groups at school out to their family, the family they could talk to if or in the community. most frequent obstacle they were sad; 31% of youth they describe is that their who are not out say the same. family is not accepting or

OUT NOT OUT OUT NOT OUT is homo/bi/transphobic. Nearly half of youth who are not out to their im- mediate family say they School LGBT groups Outside – School LGBT Groups Among youth who are not do not have an adult in out at school, the most their family they could 43% of youth who are out at school participate in LGBT groups at frequent obstacle they talk to if they were sad. school “very often” or “sometimes,” while a quarter (26%) of youth describe is that teachers or who are not out say the same. 23% of youth who are out at school classmates will treat them 47% of youth who are not participate in LGBT groups outside of school; 11% of youth who differently or judge them. out to their immediate fam- are not out at school say the same. ily say they do not have an adult in their family they could talk to if they were sad; 25% of youth who are Youth who are out to their out say the same. immediate family or at school report a higher likelihood to achieve several life goals compared to those who are not out, if asked to imagine their future while living in Importantly, 9 in 10 LGBT youth (91%) in this survey are out to their close friends. This is generally the case regardless of region, reli- their current city or town. 1/2 gion, race/ethnicity, or . Friends matter, and peers are the most important supporters in the lives of many LGBT youth. And youth who are out to their immedi- About half of LGBT youth—out and not ate family or at school are more likely About half of LGBT youth OUT NOT OUT out—experience little or no harassment than their peers to have been called —out and not out—par- at school. At the same time, youth who names involving anti–gay slurs. ticipate in online com- Friends matter, and are out at school are slightly more likely munities that address than those who are not out to experi- 57% of youth who are out to their immediate LGBT youth issues. peers are the most Youth who are out to their im- ence verbal harassment at school and families have been verbally harassed or called mediate family or out at school CUT OFF outside of school. names involving anti–gay slurs “frequently,” 53% of youth who are out important supporters report higher levels of happiness, “often,” or “sometimes;” 49% of youth who are at school say they partici- optimism, acceptance and sup- Youth who are not out are more 17% of youth who are out say they are harassed not out to their families say the same. 60% of pate in an online community in the lives of many port through multiple measures. likely to be cut off from key at school “frequently;” 12% of youth who are youth who are out at school have experienced that addresses LGBT youth Not surprisingly, they also report forms of support: adults in their not out say the same. 10% of youth who are such harassment; 46% of youth who are not issues and 49% of youth LGBT youth. higher levels of in–person partic- family or community they could out at school say they are harassed outside of out at school have experienced the same. who are not out at school ipation with LGBT organizations talk to and LGBT organizations school “frequently;” 6% of youth who are not say the same. at school and in the community. at school or elsewhere. out say the same.

2 3 AMONG THE 10,030 LGBT YOUTH, RACE/ETHNICITY REGION 7% (729) LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND, 15% (1475) IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC, 16% (1622) IN THE EAST NORTH CEN- TRAL, 6% (636) IN THE WEST NORTH 2% (160) CENTRAL, 25% (2531) IN THE DEEP AMERICAN SOUTH, 7% (697) IN BORDER STATES, FINDINGS INDIAN/NATIVE 7% (739) IN MOUNTAIN STATES, AND 3% (329) 14% (1382) AMERICAN ASIAN/ PACIFIC 16% (1601) IN PACIFIC STATES. 4 HISPANIC/ 5 OUT TO WHOM? ISLANDER LATINO/SPANISH AMERICAN/ 1% (143) CHICANO DECLINED TO ANSWER 6% (637) 7% BLACK/AFRICAN 6% (560) AMERICAN “OTHER” 7% 16% 6% 15% 16%

Immediate 56% OVERALL family Extended 25% “OUT” family 7% Close 25% 91% CHART friends 68% (6819) WHITE Classmates 64%

Your 38% 1 teachers 9 in 10 LGBT youth (91%) are out to their close friends Your clergy 5% Across all races/ethnicities, there is little difference in the percent- age of youth who are out to close friends. Generally, 9 in 10 youth At work 11% Nearly two–thirds (64%) are are out to close friends—from 89% among Asian/Pacific Islander out to their classmates; 61% At school 61% youth to 93% among Hispanic/Latino youth. are out at school Religious 8% Youth from the Mountain Among the three other institu- community In this sample, American Indian/Native American youth report the states Your tend to report the larg- tions/types of people where youth 56% 11% More than half ( ) are out to coaches highest percentages for being out in 8 of 11 categories (immedi- est percentages of being out are most likely to be out (e.g. their immediate family ate family, extended family, teachers, clergy, at work, at school, at Your doctor 16% across most categories except immediate family, classmates, at congregation, to their doctor). ”out to doctor.” school), there are greater differ- ences between regions. Hispanic/Latino youth report the highest percentages of being out Youth from Middle Atlantic GENDER SCHOOL to classmates, at school and with coaches. states consistently report the 62% of youth in the Middle smallest percentages of being Atlantic and East North Central STATUS out in most categories com- states are out to their class- RELIGIOUS Among the 10,030 LGBT youth, pared to the other 7 regions. mates; 68% of youth in the 20% (1955) chose a religious Mountain States are out to IDENTITY identity among 8 choices (Prot- Across all regions, there is little classmates. 57% (5699) 2 3 estant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, difference in the percentage 58% of youth in the Middle 14% Mormon, Orthodox, Other Chris- of youth who are out to close "OTHER" GENDER (1399) MIDDLE/JUNIOR tian, Other Not Christian) and at- Atlantic states are out at school; 6% (606) HIGH SCHOOL friends. Generally, 9 in 10 youth 67% of youth in the Mountain 80% 6 tend a congregation every week MALE are out to close friends. (7988) HIGH SCHOOL 34% (3406) or one or two times a month. States are out at school. 3% TRANSGENDER 52% of youth in the Middle 3% (319) (298) HOME SCHOOLED Across all regions, there is little Among the religious–identified difference in the percentage Atlantic states are out to their 3% LGBT youth who attend religious of youth who are out to clergy immediate family; 60% of youth Of the 10,030 LGBT youth, gender,” 59% of male youth and (345) COLLEGE, OUT OF services regularly, 19% are out in W. North Central states are out SCHOOL, OR OTHER 20% ATTEND (5–6%). 57% (5699) identify as only half (53%) of female youth CONGREGATION at their congregation and 11% to immediate family. female, 34% (3406) as male, say the same. are out to their clergy. 3% (319) as transgender, and 6% (606) as “other gender.” Nearly half of males and trans- Not surprisingly, higher per- Home–schooled youth are most gender youth (46%) are out to centages of high school youth likely to come out to immediate LGBT youth across all three 70% of urban youth say they Across the gender spec- their teachers; compared to say they are out in various family; high school youth are AREA OF residence areas (rural, subur- are out to classmates; 63% trum, LGBT youth report 41% of youth who identified settings compared to middle much more likely than middle RESIDENCE 51% (5135) ban and urban) are similarly of rural and 62% of suburban similar levels of being out in as “other gender,” and a third school youth. school youth to come out to RURAL/SUBURBAN/URBAN LIVE IN likely to be out to close friends youth say the same. SUBURBAN many settings. Differences (32%) of . immediate family. Two–thirds AREAS (91 or 92%) and immediate by gender are in the follow-  40% of high school youth say of home–schooled youth (67%) 28% (2793) family (55 or 57%). 67% of urban youth say they ing areas: More than a quarter of transgen- they are out to teachers; 26% of say they are out to immedi- 7 LIVE IN are out at school; 61% of rural URBAN/CITY der youth (29%) are out to their middle school youth say the same. ate family; 57% of high school 21% (2077) AREAS 28% of urban and rural youth and 58% of suburban youth say Two–thirds (66%) of transgen- doctors; compared to 21% of youth say the same as do 44% LIVE IN RURAL say they are out to extended the same. der youth say they are out to youth who identified as “other 64% of high school youth say of middle school students. AREAS family; 21% of suburban youth their immediate family; 60% of gender,” and just 18% of male they are out at school; 54% of say the same. youth who identified as “other youth and 14% of females. middle school youth say the same. <1% (25) DECLINED TO ANSWER

4 5 REASONS YOUTH DON’T COME OUT TO FAMILY

"Most of my extended family is "I’m scared of what homophobic. They also love using "I am not out to my they might think gay slurs and other remarks. I family because I know about me. I love them am out to a few extended family that some of them

and I want them to members though." 16% believe that being SAY THEY HAVE 19%SAY THEY ARE love me back." "RELIGIOUS" gay, lesbian, bisexual SAY THEIR FAMILY IS or transgender is a SCARED "They won’t be 30% "They are very unaccepting. An REASONS mental disorder and OF aunt of mine actually took me accepting; I don’t that the congregation REACTION, want to be hated NOT aside when I was younger to tell can ‘cure’ them." AFRAID, OR DON’T by my family. I me that ‘gays aren’t right in the KNOW HOW THEIR ACCEPTING head.’ Her goal was to scare me FAMILY WILL REACT want to be happy to go home from OR IS into being straight." "My mom has taught the children of my college, and I want family to believe that being LGBT is to spend Christmas HOMO/ disgusting and an abomination because with my family." "They would throw me out if I told of her religious beliefs." BI/TRANS- anyone in my extended family. "I am scared that So I have to keep my mouth they will shun me PHOBIC shut, otherwise I would end up "My entire extended family is blindly and not accept me penniless and homeless." religious and frequently refers to for who I am." those who are LGBT as ‘disgusting’ or ‘diseased.’”

"When I tell them I want "I’m waiting for ‘the right time,’ "Because they are to be ready for whatever whatever that means. I want to be 10% they may say or throw absolutely positive about who I am 10% very religious and SAY THEY ARE at me. Whether this and absolutely sure and confident DON’T OR CAN’T hate gays and I don’t NOT means kicking me out when I tell them." TALK WITH READY or accepting me for who THEIR FAMILY want them to hate and I am, I want to be ready. "I still feel slightly in the questioning Right now, I’m not ready stage although I am about 90% sure "I don’t really have a strong disown me. I don’t because I am not yet that I identify as . Until I feel relationship with my extended want to disappoint able to support myself." absolutely certain, I do not want to family. I don’t really see them come out to my extended family." that often either." them or lose them."

6 7 HAPPINESS, OPTIMISM ABOUT LEVELS OF THE FUTURE ACCEPTANCE OF OPTIMISM, LGBT PEOPLE

ACCEPTANCE, 3 4Among youth who are out at accepting;” among youth who are Youth who are out to fam- school, 28% say their school is not out to their immediate fami- ily or at school and those who are not out report “very accepting” of LGBT people; lies, 16% say their families are PARTICIPATION among youth who are not out at very accepting and 24% say their similar levels of optimism about achieving life goals. school, 16% say their school is families are “not at all accepting.” However, when asked to “very accepting.” & HARASSMENT NOT OUT OUT imagine if they stayed in Among youth who are out to a their same city or town, Among youth who are out at close friend, 32% say their peers youth who are out to family school, 38% say their peers are are “very accepting;” among or at school report a higher “very accepting”; among youth those not out to close friends, likelihood for several life not out at school, 19% say their 14% say their peers are “very achievements than their peers are “very accepting.” accepting.” Among youth out to a peers who are not out to Youth who are out to their immediate family or out at family or at school. close friend, 19% say their peers school report higher levels of happiness, optimism, ac- ADULTS TO Among youth who are out to their are “not very” or “not at all” ac- ceptance and support through multiple measures. Not TALK TO 58% of youth who are out to immediate families, 42% say cepting; while among youth who 47% surprisingly, they also report higher levels of in–person their family believe they can of youth who are out at their families are “very accept- are not out to a close friend, 40% participation with LGBT organizations at school and in establish a life–long partnership school believe they could get ing” of LGBT people and 7% say their peers are “not very” or the community. They also report slightly higher levels with someone they love, if they married to someone they love, if say their families are “not at all “not at all” accepting. of harassment than youth who are not out. 2 stayed in their same town; 51% they stayed in their same town; TO TALK 41% of youth who are not out TO of youth who are not out to their Youth who are not out are more likely to be cut off from key forms of family say the same. at school say the same. support: adults in their family or community they could talk to and LEVELS OF LGBT organizations at school or elsewhere. Those who are not out 58% of youth who are out 53% of youth who are out at HARASSMENT may rely especially on support online—about half of LGBT youth 2/3 at school believe they can school believe they could be hap- who are out and not out participate in online communities that ad- HAVE AN ADULT establish a life–long partner- py, if they stayed in their same & ABUSE dress LGBT youth issues. ship with someone they love, if town; 44% of youth who are not 1/3 they stayed in their same town; out at school say the same. 6 HAVE AN ADULT 49% of youth who are not out In comparing their likelihood to at school say the same. About half of the LGBT OUT be happy in general versus if they respondents said they HAPPINESS 47% of youth who are out at were to stay in their same town, were “rarely” or “never” NOT OUT school also believe they could be youth who are not out at school harassed or called names an active part of their commu- displayed a greater drop in likeli- at school. 46% of youth hood to be happy compared to who are out at school said Youth who are out to their im- Youth who are not out to nity, if they stayed in their same town; 41% of youth who are not their peers who are out. they are “rarely” or “never” mediate family are twice as their immediate family are harassed or called names out at school say the same. 1 likely as youth who are not out also more likely to say they are at school; 52% of youth to say they have an adult in their unsure if there is an adult they who are not out at school family they could talk to if they could talk to in their family if say the same. were sad—63% of youth who they were sad. Nearly a quarter LGBT GROUP OUT NOT OUT are out to their immediate fam- of youth (21%) who are not out PARTICIPATION Youth who are out at school are ily say there is an adult in their to their immediate family chose slightly more likely than youth who Those who are out to immedi- Those who are not out to family they could talk to; 31% “don’t know” when responding to are not out to report that they are Youth who are out to their ate family are more likely to immediate family are more of youth who are not out to their that question; 12% of youth who Youth who are out at school verbally harassed or called names family and those who are report being happy (very/pretty likely to report being unhappy immediate family say the same. are out to their immediate family are much more likely than those 17% 5 at school “frequently” – of out at school are more like- happy) than those who are not (pretty/very unhappy) than those say the same. who are not out to participate youth who are out compared with ly than their peers to have out—41% of those out to imme- who are out—21% of those who Nearly half (47%) in LGBT groups at school or 12% of youth who are not. been verbally harassed diate family report being happy; are not out to immediate family of youth who are Youth who are out to their and called names involving 33% of those not out to immedi- report being unhappy; 16% of close friends are much more outside of school. Youth who are out at school are anti–gay slurs. ate family report being happy. those who are out to immediate not out to their im- likely than youth who are not to also more likely to report that family report being unhappy. mediate family say say they have an adult in their 43% of youth who are out at Meanwhile, participation in they are verbally harassed or 57% of youth who are out to Those who are out at school they do not have an community who they could talk school participate in LGBT online LGBT groups varies little called names outside of school their families have experienced are more likely to report being Those who are not out at to if they were sad—62% of groups at school “very often” or between those who are out at “frequently”—10% of youth who such harassment; 49% of youth happy (very/pretty happy) than school are more likely to report adult in their fam- youth who are out to their close “sometimes,” while a quarter school and those who are not. are out compared to 6% of youth who are not out to their family those who are not—40% of being unhappy (pretty/very ily they could talk friends say there is such an (26%) of youth who are not out 53% of youth who are out at who are not. 41% of youth who have experienced such harass- those out at school report being unhappy) than those who are out to if they were sad; adult they can talk to; 42% of say the same. 23% of youth who school say they participate in are out report they are verbally ment. 60% of youth who are out happy; 33% of those not out at —21% of those who are not out a quarter (25%) of youth who are not out to close are out at school participate in an online community that ad- harassed or called names outside at school have experienced such school report being happy. at school report being unhappy; friends say the same. LGBT groups outside of school; dresses LGBT youth issues and of school “frequently,” “often,” or harassment; 46% of youth who 16% of those who are out at youth who are out 11% of youth who are not out at 49% of youth who are not out at “sometimes;” 30% of youth who are not out at school have experi- school report being unhappy. say the same. school say the same. school say the same. are not out report the same. enced such harassment.

8 9 REASONS YOUTH DON’T COME OUT AT SCHOOL

"I am out to my friends but not everyone in the school, and not teachers because I think they’re going to treat me different from everyone else."

7% SAY THEIR 9% TEACHERS "I’m scared of not being accepted and treated SAY THEY ARE differently, and I don’t know if I’m strong AFRAID AND/OR SAY THEY WILL BE enough to deal with all of the hate yet." SCHOOL 31% OF ARE VERY TREATED "I’m afraid that they won’t view me the same BULLYING CONSERVATIVE way and that our relationship will slowly DIFFERENTLY deteriorate. I’m afraid of abandonment." "I would feel threatened "As I attend a Catholic OR JUDGED by students and teachers. school, most teachers My school addresses are very homophobic bullying a lot but never and speak of LGBT bullying." in a negative light. My classmates, especially straight males, find "I don’t want to be bullied LGBTs ‘disgusting’ and more than I already am." a wrong part of society."

"I am not out because high school is harsh "I’m out to classmates but not "I am out to my "Because the majority of people at my and I would be bullied and harassed. There teachers only because they don’t friends and school are not my closest friends; they is another lesbian couple at my school, and really need to know and I fear they classmates; they are merely acquaintances. My teachers they get bullied and discriminated against will tell my parents." are very supportive play little or no role in my life therefore so much it’s not even funny. So I’m scared." about it. I have not I don’t feel the need to tell them, mainly 26%SAY THEY DID NOT SEE THE come out to the in fear that they may grade my academic NEED TO COME OUT OR "I believe it is not their business "People are cruel and I don’t want to be teachers because performance differently than they would and I don’t want it to interfere with beaten up for my sexual orientation. I know IT IS NOT I don’t think they anyone else in the class." my learning." living in fear sucks but it’s the only thing I ANYONE’S need to know." BUSINESS can do at the moment."

10 11 CALL TO ACTION

LGBTQ YOUTH FRIENDS & PARENTS TEACHERS CLERGY & ELECTED PEERS RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS LEADERS

If you are LGBT or questioning and you are Close friends matter. With 9 in 10 LGBT While these youth are heading towards great- Educators set the tone in their classrooms Congregations can be a place where LGBT 68% of LGBT youth say they hear negative considering coming out to close friends or youth out to their close friends, young er independence, parents, families & friends and influence the climate throughout a youth can feel most accepted and embraced. messages about being LGBT from elected someone in your family, it’s good to make a people are relying on close friends to be still shape and influence their feelings of school—the hallways, gyms, cafeterias, Sadly, though, because of religious-based officials; only16% hear positive messages plan. What kind of signals are you getting understanding and supportive. Be brave safety and well–being. Your words and ac- and study halls. Many LGBT youth are justly homophobic and transphobic messages, from politicians. Change your rhetoric—end from your friend or family member? Do you —be a friend. Learn more about being a tions are being watched. Do not use demean- afraid to come out at school because they clergy and religious people are often the attacks on LGBT people and instead sup- have enough information to answer the types friend and supporter through the Give a ing speech about LGBT people. Be open to fear being bullied. Make your classroom least likely group to be sought out by young port your LGBT constituents. Stand strong of questions they might have about being Damn campaign (www.wegiveadamn.org) your children’s experiences, even if you are safe and inclusive for all. Respond to bul- people. Religious leaders need to be overt for legislation that moves equality forward. LGBT? Do you know what you want to say? Do and the Gay–Straight Alliance Network unsure or uncomfortable. Stand up for your lying and name–calling. Consider ways to in their literature, their signage and in the See www.hrc.org. you have support? Is it the right time? Reac- (www.gsanetwork.org). children if they are harassed or abused due include LGBT issues and themes in your pulpit about their embrace of LGBT people. tions may vary, and you should be prepared. to their identity. Support and information is curriculum. Great resources are available at Make your congregation more open through Tips for coming out are available through the At the same time, LGBT youth are twice available at Parents, Families & Friends of Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network HRC’s resource, Living Openly in Your Place Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org). as likely as their peers to be harassed at and Gays/PFLAG (www.pflag.org), (www.glsen.org), Gay–Straight Alliance of Worship. If you’re Christian, see HRC’s school. Make your school safer by being the Family Acceptance Project (www.family- Network (www.gsanetwork.org), and HRC’s weekly preaching and devotional commen- If you need other information or support, more than a bystander—be a friend to project.sfsu.edu), and the American Academy Welcoming Schools (www.welcoming- tary, Out In Scripture, for ideas about how resources include the Trevor Project those who are bullied, tell a trusted adult, of Pediatrics (www.healthychildren.org). schools.org). to craft affirming LGBT messages from the (www.thetrevorproject.org), It Gets Better help someone being bullied get away from pulpit or other religious resources (www.hrc. (www.itgetsbetter.org), and a bad situation, and don’t be a bully. Check org/resources/category/religion-faith). the American Academy of Pediatrics out the youth section of Stop Bullying (www.healthychildren.org). (www.stopbullying.gov/kids).

12 13 METHODOLOGY Two methodologies were used to collect data for this sample.

This study includes a review of centers across the country. This online research. They are shown frequencies and cross–tabula- method of collecting inter- the terms and conditions of A key issue in interviewing tions of raw data from research views is common in exploring panel membership as well as our children both responsibly and conducted by Greenberg Quin- hard–to–reach populations, but privacy policy. Panelists must legally is appropriate paren- lan Rosner. That original data it does not represent a truly ran- agree to our Terms of Use which tal consent, which is required included 10,030 LGBT–identi- dom opt–in sample. Traditional state that panelists are limited before conducting research with fied youth and more than 500 measures of margin of error do to a single membership and can children under the age of 13. For This study includes a review of non–LGBT youth. This report an- not apply and the results here be removed if they are found in 8–12 year olds, Harris Interac- alyzed only those responses by may not be representative of this violation of this rule. tive obtains consent from their frequencies and cross–tabulations LGBT–identified youth regarding population as a whole. parents, who are HPOL panelists various questions about their All panelists recruited have com- themselves, using well–defined of raw data from research coming out experience. Below is pleted a ‘confirmed’ or ‘double’ parental permission policies. a full description of the original ONLINE PANEL opt–in (COI/DOI) process. This Panelists identified as age 18+ conducted by Greenberg Quinlan methodology. Most of the LGBT In addition, this research process requires that each reg- with an 8–12 year old child living youth were recruited through includes 510 interviews among istrant confirm his or her desire in the household are sent email Rosner. That original data included the public URL described below; respondents ages 13–17 drawn to join our panel by clicking on a invitations with a link to the the 5% of respondents to the from the Harris Poll OnlineSM link within an email that is sent child survey. The invites specify 10,030 LGBT–identified youth and Harris Poll Online who identified (HPOL.) These interviews were to the registrant’s email address that the survey is intended for as LGBT were also included in not screened for LGBT status upon registering. The content their child and explain the con- more than 500 non–LGBT youth. these findings. and comprise the “non–LGBT” of the email specifies that by tent and approximate length of This report analyzed only those population in this study. Note, clicking on the link the registrant the survey. If the parent agrees however, that five percent of is expressly stating his or her to allow their child to participate responses by LGBT–identified youth PUBLIC URL these interviews self–identified desire to take part in the panel. in the survey, they are asked to Working with the Human Rights as LGBT and were asked ques- Once they consent to join the provide the link to their child. regarding various questions about Campaign and Harris Interactive tions directed at this population. panel, members are invited to This process is also used to Service Bureau, who hosted the participate in various surveys supplement the 13–17 year old their coming out experience. web survey, Greenberg Quinlan Harris Poll OnlineSM (HPOL) is a through email invitations which panel through targeted panelists Rosner created a link that al- multimillion–member panel of include a short description of age 18+ with a 13–17 year old in lowed participants to take this cooperative online respondents. the research and indicate the the household. survey online. Participants in- Panelists have joined the Harris approximate survey length. vited to the study were screened Poll Online from over 100 differ- for (self–identified) LGBTQ ent sources. Diverse methods Our research policies for U.S.– (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- are leveraged to gain panelists based research comply with the gender or queer) status. This including: co–registration offers legal codes of conduct developed method was used to collect the on partners’ websites, targeted by the Council of American Survey overwhelming majority of LGBT emails sent by online partners Research Organizations (CASRO). interviews in this study and to their audiences, graphical According to CASRO guidelines, ultimately produced a sample of and text banner placement on the minimum age to consent to 10,030 participants ages 13–17 partners’ websites (including participate in survey research in who self–identified as lesbian, social media, news, search and the U.S. is 13 years old. gay, bisexual, transgender or community portals), trade show queer. Certain questions in the presentations, targeted postal Data collected for this survey survey were directed only to mail invitations, TV advertise- were collected by Harris Interac- self–ascribed LGBT respondents. ments and telephone recruit- tive Service Bureau (HISB) on ment of targeted populations. behalf of the Human Rights During April and May of 2012, Campaign. HISB was respon- the Human Rights Campaign ad- When respondents are recruited sible for the data collected and vertised this link through a part- into this panel, it is made very Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Client nership with The Trevor Project, clear to them that they are was responsible for the survey through its social media, as well joining a market research design, data weighting, data as through direct communica- panel and that they will be asked analysis and reporting any/all tion with dozens of LGBT youth periodically to participate in methods that apply.

14 15 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES CREATIVE: DESIGN ARMY DESIGN CREATIVE:

HRC COMING OUT Campus Pride MATERIALS www.campuspride.org A La Familia www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ Centerlink: The Community a-la-familia of LGBT Centers www.lgbtcenters.org A Resource Guide to Coming Out COLAGE [People with a Lesbian, www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or resource–guide–to–coming–out Queer Parent] www.colage.org A Resource Guide to Coming Out for African Americans Family Acceptance Project www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ familyproject.sfsu.edu resource–guide–to–coming–out– for–african–americans Family Equality Council www.familyequality.org Guia de Recursos para Salir del Closet Gay, Lesbian & Straight www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ Education Network guia–de–recursos–para–salir– www.glsen.org del–closet Gay and Lesbian Medical Transgender Visibility: Association A Guide to Being You www.glma.org www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ transgender–visibility–guide Gay Asian Pacific Support Network Living Openly in Your www.gapsn.org Place of Worship www.hrc.org/resources/entry/ Gay–Straight Alliance living–openly–in–your–place–of– Network worship www.gsanetwork.org

Coming Out as a Straight Immigration Equality Supporter: A Guide to www.immigrationequality.org Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans National Black Justice www.hrc.org/straight Coalition www.nbjc.org

ORGANIZATIONS FOR Parents, Families & Friends PARENTS, FRIENDS, of Lesbians & Gays TEACHERS, OTHERS www.pflag.org American Academy of Pediatrics Straight for Equality www.healthychildren.org www.straightforequality.org

American Veterans for The Transgender Center Equal Rights www.ntac.org www.aver.us Welcoming Schools Astraea Lesbian www.welcomingschools.org Foundation for Justice www.astraeafoundation.org

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