In The

“I live in such a narrow- minded community— it’s really hard on me. I deal with so much

ignorance on a daily At basis.” Growing up LGBT in America “It’sHRC niceSurvey Report that my Keyschool Findings is very open, I have a lot of friends who are okay and are helpful with my being bisexual.” At At More than half (56%) of LGBT youth say they are out to their immediate family; a quarter (25%) are out to their extended family.

Out to immediate family

Out to extended family At

“It’s nice that my is very open, I have a lot of friends who are okay and are helpful with my being bisexual.” LGBT youth are more than two times as likely as non-LGBT youth to say they have been verbally harassed and called names at school. Among LGBT youth, half (51%) have been verbally harassed at school, compared to 25% among non-LGBT students. In The

“I live in such a narrow- minded community— it’s really hard on me. I deal with so much ignorance on a daily basis.”

HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 1 INTRO DUC TION

better. Nevertheless, the findings of With more than 10,000 survey respon- Growing Up LGBT in America are a call dents, this is the largest known sample The deck to action for all adults who want to of LGBT youth from every region of the ensure that young people can thrive. country, from urban, suburban and rural is stacked communities, and from a wide variety The survey measured key factors that of social, cultural, ethnic, and racial The deck is stacked against young impact the daily lives of LGBT youth, backgrounds. people growing up , , bisexual, including: or in America. Official As the first in a series of reports government or indiffer- • A sense of being accepted by family, analyzing the landscape for LGBT youth, ence along with social ostracism leaves peers, and the larger community – the goal of this document is to summa- many teens disaffected and discon- in sports leagues, clubs, places of rize the major findings from a general nected in their own homes and neigh- worship, school, work, online, and more analysis of all survey responses. Over borhoods. With an increase in public the next several months, the Human awareness about anti-LGBT • Access to LGBT affirmative support Rights Campaign will be engaging in and and the strikingly high and services additional analysis that will provide number of LGBT youth who are home- a better understanding of the unique less, in foster care, or living in high-risk • Negative experiences such as verbal experiences of specific groups of youth, situations, it is critical that we get a harassment, cyber-bullying, exclu- for example those living in conserva- better understanding of the experiences, sion from activities tive states, , those of needs, and concerns of LGBT youth. different races, religious traditions, • Connection to a welcoming religious and so on. This groundbreaking research among or spiritual community more than 10,000 LGBT-identified youth HRC is thankful to The Trevor Project for ages 13-17 provides a stark picture of • Level of optimism about the future its partnership in promoting the survey, the difficulties they face. The impact on and the ability to live a happy life as along with dozens of local and state their well-being is profound, however an “out” LGBT person LGBT youth-serving organizations. these youth are quite resilient. They find safe havens among their peers, online and in their . They remain optimistic and believe things will get HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 2 Summary

The responses to this survey reveal that many LGBT youth are profoundly discon- 65% SURVEY DEMOGRAPHICS LGBT NON nected from their communities, in sometimes stark ways. At the same time, LGBT 58% youth often report resilience in facing today’s challenges and a sense of optimism about tomorrow’s possibilities.

Importantly, LGBT youth believe to a greater extent than their peers that they must 20% leave their communities to make their hopes and dreams for the future come true. 18% 12% 8% When given an opportunity to describe their most important problem or the one 6% 4% 3% 2% 2% thing in their lives they would like to change, LGBT youth and their peers have dif- 1% N/A 1% ferent experiences and priorities. LGBT youth describe the challenges they face as White Black/African Hispanic/ Asian/Pacific American Other Decline to being directly related to their identity as LGBT. American Latino/Spanish Islander Indian/Native Answer American/ American Chicano

For those asked to describe one thing Among those asked to describe the in their lives they would like to change most important problem facing their right now: lives right now:

LGBT youth identified Non-LGBT youth identified LGBT youth identified Non-LGBT youth identified Understanding/ Money/debt/finances Non-accepting Classes/exams/ 1 tolerance/hate (18%) 1 (20%) 1 families (26%) 1 grades (25%)

My parent/family Appearance/weight School/bullying College/career 2 situation (15%) 2 (9%) 2 problems (21%) 2 (14%)

Where I live/ Improving mental Fear of being out Financial pressures who I live with (9%) health (7%) or open (18%) related to college or 3 3 3 3 job (11%) HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 3

HRC believes LGBT youth will lead lives that are more safe, healthy, and fulfilling when institutional discrimination ends and the country fully embraces young people regardless of their or . HRC is dedicated to making their lives better, through federal and state-level policy work and institutional change in the workplace, healthcare settings, schools, and beyond. HRC also works to open hearts and minds to greater acceptance and appreciation of the LGBT community, and to infuse the broader culture with a sense of LGBT pride and dignity that can reach even the most isolated young people. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 4 WHAT’S NEXT?

1HRC intends to conduct further research with this 2These key findings can help all youth-serving orga- 3These data can inform the programmatic work of LGBT expansive set of data and release future in-depth nizations better understand the concerns, fears, and and direct service organizations, along with reports. Topics will likely include: “Youth of Color,” barriers facing LGBT youth and help them establish funders and supporters, enhancing our movement’s “Transgender Youth,” “Home & Family,” “Community inclusive policies and practices. work on legislation and policy, administrative and reg- & Culture,” “School & Peers,” and “Religion & Faith,” ulatory changes at the local, state, and federal level. among others. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 5

4Parents, family and friends can use these data to 5The experiences and hopes reported by LGBT youth in increase their own level of support and affirmation this poll inspire HRC to consider new ways to improve of the young LGBT people in their lives. the lives of LGBT youth immediately and in the future. HRC will engage collaboratively with local and national organizations to raise the awareness of the concerns and problems identified here and to find solutions. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 6 Personal Well-Being

Compared with their non-LGBT peers, LGBT youth in this survey report much lower FINDINGS levels of happiness, a higher incidence of alcohol and drug use, and less connec- tion to adult support during personal problems. They also are much more likely than their non-LGBT peers to say they can be more honest about themselves online than in real life. When asked to describe their most important problem or one thing they would like to change, LGBT youth describe the challenges they face as being directly related to their identity as LGBT.

1/3 NON NEED AN ADULT LGBT

TO TALK LGBT NON TO

Non-LGBT youth are nearly twice LGBT youth are more likely than LGBT youth are more than Roughly three-quarters (73%) of LGBT as likely as LGBT youth to say non-LGBT youth to report that twice as likely as non-LGBT youth say they are more honest about they are happy. they do not have an adult they youth to experiment with alco- themselves online than in the real can talk to about personal prob- hol and drugs. world, compared to 43% among non- Among non-LGBT youth, 67% report lems. LGBT youth. being happy while only 37% of LGBT Over half (52%) of LGBT youth say youth say they are happy. Among LGBT youth, about a third they have used alcohol and drugs (29%) disagreed with the statement while only 22% of non-LGBT youth “There is at least one adult I can talk say they have. to about my personal problems” while only 17% of the non-LGBT youth disagreed with it. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 7

Three-quarters (77%) of LGBT youth say they know things will get better. Nearly a quarter (23%) of LGBT youth disagree with that statement compared “This is me, this with only 8% of their peers. is how I was born Over one-half of LGBT youth (54%) say and I’m happy they have been verbally harassed and !!! called names involving anti-gay slurs with it.” such as “gay” and “fag.” !!

Among those asked to describe the most important problem facing their Biggest Problems lives right now: What is the most difficult problem facing you in your life these days?

LGBT youth identified Non-LGBT youth identified LGBT Youth Non-accepting Classes/exams/ families (26%) grades (25%) My parents/family not accepting 26% 1 1 Trouble at school/Bullying 21% Afraid to be out/open 18% Eating disorders/Self-harm// 14% School/bullying College/career General being LGBT 12% problems (21%) (14%) Trouble with classes 9% 2 2 Lonely 7% Religion leading to lack of acceptance 6% Problems in romantic relationship 6% Fear of being out Financial pressures Concerns about college/money for college 6% Confused about sexuality 5% or open (18%) related to college or Finding a partner/Accepting partner 5% 3 3 job (11%) Drama 3% Nobody to date 2% Other 4% Don’t know/Refused 1% For those asked to describe one thing in their lives they would like to change right now: Non-LGBT Youth

LGBT youth identified Non-LGBT youth identified Trouble with classes/Exams/Grades 22% College and career decisions 17% Understanding/ Money/debt/finances Financial problems/Paying for college/Getting a job 14% tolerance/hate (18%) (20%) Family stress/Pressure 10% 1 1 Life balance 8% General stress 5% Want a boyfriend/Girlfriend/Boy/Girl problems 5% My parent/family Appearance/weight Family illness/death 3% Problems with lack of friends/Social life 3% situation (15%) (9%) Bipolar/Depression/Eating disorders/ 3% 2 2 Injuries 2% I don’t have any difficult problems 2% Problems in romantic relationships 1% Drugs/Drinking 1% Where I live/ Improving mental Other 15% 3 who I live with (9%) 3 health (7%) Don’t know/ Refused 1% HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 8

“I can’t come out to anyone I know at church because they “I have been graciously will immediately received by my peers, see me as a bad but the biggest issue person.” I face is my PARENTS, “It’s very easy to look at me and tell I’m gay and it makes me feel afraid to walk around knowing there are people here in my hometown that hate me, and people like me enough to attack me.” HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 9

“I live in such a narrow- minded community it’s really hard on me. I deal with so much ignorance on a daily basis.” PARENTS, I have been called sick and perverted by them.” “I wish I could meet more gay people to talk to and get to know.” HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 10 COM MUNITY

Compared with their peers, LGBT youth in this survey report a greater sense of COMPARED isolation or separation from their community in general, and among specific com- munity activities. Fewer LGBT youth have an adult in their community to talk with if WITH THEIR they feel worried or sad, compared with their peers. When thinking of their future, LGBT youth believe to a greater extent than their peers that they must PEERS leave their community to make their hopes and dreams come true.

Nearly half of LGBT youth (47%) say they do not “fit in” in their community 4 in 10 LGBT youth (42%) say the community in which they live is 42% while only 16% of non-LGBT youth feel that way. not accepting of LGBT people. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 11

Immediate 56% In a series of questions of family Extended whether their future would 25% family likely include happiness, a Close 91% good job, a long-term partner- friends ship or marriage, children, and Classmates 64% an active role in their commu- Your 38% nities, LGBT youth often described a high degree Your clergy 5% of optimism, frequently LGBT NON At work 11% at similar levels as their peers. However, this op- At school 61% timism declined markedly At church 8% compared to their peers when Your 11% coaches asked if they could achieve OUT those dreams in the commu- Your doctor 16% nities where they currently live. The most vivid example LGBT youth are twice as likely as their 83% DECLINE IN OPTIMISM LGBT NON is that of LGBT youth peers to say they will need to move to (Percentage decline in likelihood of life achievements if youth stay in same city/town) believe they will be happy another town or part of the country to feel accepted. Among LGBT youth, 63% Establish a life- Be an eventually, but only 49% be- long partnership Get married active part say they will need to move, while 31% Have a Go to with someone Be to someone of your Raise lieve they can be happy if they of their peers report the same. good job college you love happy you love community children stay in the same city or town.

6% There is a drop among non- 8% 11% LGBT youth as well, but not 15% 14% 17% 18% 19% nearly to the same scale. 23% 25% 29% 32% 32% 34%

LGBT youth are about twice as Likelihood of Life Achievements likely as their peers to have been verbally harassed and called Overall If Stay in Same LGBT NON names outside of school (in the City or Town neighborhood or mall, etc.) as Total likely Non-LGBT LGBT Non-LGBT LGBT well as to have been physically Have a good job 95 92 72 60 Verbal Harassment assaulted outside of school. Go to college 93 91 82 74 Among LGBT youth, 18% report verbal Establish a life-long partnership 86 84 71 55 harassment while 10% of non-LGBT with someone you love youth report the same; 5% of LGBT Be happy 93 83 75 49 LGBT NON youth report physical assault com- pared with 3% of their peers. Get married to someone you love 89 77 75 45 Be an active part of your community 79 70 71 45 Physical Assault Raise children 84 68 78 49 HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 12

LGBT youth are far less likely than non-LGBT Only 18% of LGBT youth say they participate youth to attend religious services in a house of very often or sometimes in an LGBT group worship. outside of school. However, 52% of LGBT youth LGBT NON say they participate very often or sometimes GROUP ACTIVITY Among LGBT youth, 28% report attending in an online community that addresses issues church or religious services very often or some- facing LGBT youth. Attend religious services times while 58% of non-LGBT youth say the same. LGBT youth are less than half as likely as their peers to participate in a church/religious youth group, with 22% of LGBT youth saying they participate very often or sometimes while LGBT NON 47% of their peers say the same. ONLINE GROUP ACTIVITY

Participate in a religious youth group Nearly six in ten LGBT youth (57%) say that churches or places of worship in their com- “In school the people munity are not accepting of LGBT people; a I am friends with are third (35%) say their own church or place of completely OK with my worship is not accepting. sexuality, at church I haven’t brought it up.” More than 4 in 10 LGBT youth (45%) report that their state government is not accepting of LGBT people; about a third (34%) say their Less than a third (30%) of LGBT youth say they local government is not accepting. Not surpris- play sports very often or sometimes for their school or community league/club, while about ingly, many youth say they are not sure. half (49%) of non-LGBT youth say they do. Only 21% of LGBT youth say there is a place NON in their community that helps LGBT people; LGBT the same (21%) say there is a non-official place in their community where LGBT youth can go and be accepted. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 13

When asked in an open-ended question what it is like to be LGBT in their com- munities, 60% of the LGBT youth described negative experiences and 42% described positive aspects. “The people in Top-four negative experiences Most frequently cited positive aspects my community and Intolerance in the Others are very community accepting my family aren’t 1 27% 1 20% really accepting Hard not to be It is good to be of the LGBT closeted open / myself 2 20% 2 13% community and it’s Feeling out of hard for me to place or lonely 3 18% about who I am.”

Verbally harassed or abused 4 15% “I can’t come At the same time, nearly half (49%) of LGBT youth believe things are getting out to anyone I much better or somewhat better in their communities. Another 41% say things are about the same, while 9% know at church of LGBT youth report that things are getting much or somewhat worse in because they their communities. will immediately WORSE see me as a bad BETTER SAME person.” HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 14 HOME & FAMILY

While a slight majority of survey respondents feel accepted by their family, far a strong base of too many young people lack this critical support. We know that a strong base of support at home is support at home is essential for the long term positive outcomes for LGBT youth. critically important

More than half (56%) of LGBT youth About half (49%) of LGBT youth say they say they are out to their immediate have an adult in their family they could family; a quarter (25%) are out to LGBT NON turn to for help if they felt worried or their extended family. sad. Fully 79% of non-LGBT youth have Out to immediate family an adult in their family they could turn to for help.

Out to extended family

6 in 10 LGBT youth say their family is Negative Less than a third of LGBT youth (32%) accepting of LGBT people, while a third Messages chose their family among a list of (33%) say their family is not. places where they most often hear positive messages about being LGBT; nearly half (46%) chose their family among a list of places where they most Positive Messages often hear negative messages about Families Families being LGBT. Accepting Not Accepting HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 15

“My relationship with my parents has become much more tense ever since I came out.” HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 16 SCHOOL & PEERS

At the same time, most say most of their peers do not have a problem with their LGBT youth are much LGBT identity, nearly all are out to their close friends, and most are out to their classmates. LGBT youth rate schools as one of the most accepting parts of their more likely than their community outside of peers and 47% report having a Gay Straight Alliance (54% among LGBT high school students). They are as likely as their peers to peers to experience participate in afterschool activities. verbal harassment, *Part of our survey outreach was conducted through exclusion, and physical GSAs and this number may be higher as a result. attack at school.

LGBT youth are more than two times LGBT youth are twice as likely as their LGBT youth are about twice as likely as Three-quarters of LGBT youth (75%) as likely as non-LGBT youth to say they peers to say they have been physically non-LGBT youth to say they have been say that most of their peers do not have have been verbally harassed and called assaulted, kicked or shoved at school. excluded by their peers because they a problem with their identity as LGBT. names at school. Among LGBT youth, Among LGBT youth, 17% report they are different. Among LGBT youth, 48% half (51%) have been verbally harassed have been physically attacked often say they have been excluded often at school, compared to 25% among while 10% of their peers say the same. while 26% of their peers say the same. non-LGBT students. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 17

“I want to be able to go to school without being called a Participate About a third (36%) of LGBT youth par- faggot or a dyke bitch. I don’t ticipate often in an LGBT club in school, such as a Gay Straight Alliance, while want to hide in the shadows Do Not about my sexuality because Participate most (64%) do not. my safety is on the line.”

sometimes often frequently LGBT % sometimes often frequently NON %

23 23 23

19 14 14 13 13 17 8 10 4 10 8 6 5 4 2 3 3 17 3 15 5 12 5 9 2 3 2 You have been verbally You have been verbally You have been excluded You have been harassed You have been physically harassed and called names harassed and called by your peers because online, sometimes called assaulted, punched, involving anti-gay slurs names at school you are different cyber-bullying kicked or shoved at such as “gay” or “fag”. school

9 in 10 LGBT youth (91%) say they are out to their close friends and two- thirds (64%) are out to their class- mates. About a third (38%) are out “A lot of kids at my school to their teachers. In general, nearly think it’s sick and nasty and two-thirds (61%) say they are out at Two-thirds out at school will give me looks when I school. hold hands with my friend, and call us fags and lesbos.

LGBT youth are as likely as their peers I am proud of who I am and to participate in afterschool activities, I don’t intend on changing, such as drama, debate, band or aca- demic clubs. Among LGBT youth, 63% I just wish I wasn’t viewed say they participate often while 63% of differently.” their peers say the same. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 18 CUL TURE

92% 78% 9 in 10 LGBT youth (92%) say they hear Three-quarters (78%) of LGBT youth negative messages about being LGBT. say they hear positive messages.

School, peers, and the Internet led the list of places where LGBT youth say they The Internet, their peers, and movies/TV/radio led the list of places where LGBT most often hear negative messages about being LGBT: 74% chose school, 69% youth say they most often hear positive messages about being LGBT: 88% chose chose their peers, and 70% chose the Internet. Religious leaders (68%), elected the Internet, 69% chose their peers, and 59% chose movies/TV/radio. School leaders (60%), family (46%), movies/TV/radio (42%) and community leaders (41%) and family (32%) followed with positive messages, and elected leaders (20%) followed as places where LGBT youth often hear negative messages. (16%), community leaders (8%), and religious leaders (4%) trailed far behind.

School Internet Peers Religious Elected Family Movies/ Community Internet Peers Movies/ School Family Elected Community Religious Leaders Leaders TV/Radio Leaders TV/Radio Leaders Leaders Leaders HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 19

LGBT youth

are bombarded with negative messages about being At the LGBT. same time, most are also likely to hear positive messages. The Internet and their peers are of both major sources good and bad messages for LGBT youth. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 20

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. Its work has particular resonance for young people who continue to live in a world where societal continues to weigh on them and “that’s so gay” is a common schoolyard epithet. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 21

Through HRC’s visibility and outreach, HRC is often a first point- of-contact for many youth. HRC’s website offers blogs, videos, and other resources on federal & state advocacy, hate crimes, health, marriage, parenting, religion & faith, straight supporters, transgender issues, workplace, youth & campus. Online and by phone, HRC often refers young people to national, regional, and local resources that meet their individual needs. www.hrc.org HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 22

HRc’S CURRENT YOUTH-RELATED WORK

new initiative to explore faith-focused legislation that would ban bullying and ally financed adoption and foster care, COMMUNITY approaches to family acceptance of discrimination of LGBT youth in public and would ensure that LGBT youth in LGBT youth with faith institutions that settings outside of schools. This would care do not experience discrimination. The HRC Foundation works to improve primarily serve Latinos, African Ameri- include community agencies such as the LGBT cultural competence of com- cans, and white evangelicals. Using parks and recreation facilities and clubs, The HRC Foundation’s All Children – All munity institutions, including youth- focus groups and engagement with reli- public libraries, foster care agencies, Families initiative works with public and serving organizations and healthcare gious groups, along with groundbreaking and any other youth-serving public private adoption and foster care agen- providers, and to engage all faith tradi- research from the Family Acceptance agency. There are currently few or no cies to improve their practices regarding tions in a dialogue on fairness. Project, the initiative hopes to identify legal protections for youth using those LGBT prospective parents. This would ways faith institutions can support fami- community resources. expand the number of caring, qualified HRC’s All Children – All Families initia- to raise happy, healthy youth. adults who are able to parent youth in tive is expanding its training curriculum Each year, HRC blankets the country to foster care, including the disproportion- in response to requests from youth- HRC sponsored On the Road to Equal- support 150+ of LGBT pride and youth ate number of LGBT youth in care. serving agencies that want to improve ity – a 12-week bus tour that visited pride events, which frequently reach their competence in serving LGBT youth. 18 cities in 13 states and Washington, LGBT youth. HRC also collaborates with and show- This includes after-school programs, D.C. The bus tour brought an affirming cases the work of leaders in the field of mental health agencies, and counseling message of LGBT dignity and equality to family acceptance, including the Family centers, as well as foster care agencies communities around the country, with HOME & FAMILY Acceptance Project and Gender Spec- that manage group homes for youth. a special emphasis on the Midwest trum, identifying new ways to encourage HRC seeks to increase the number of and South where there are limited legal To address the disproportionate number families to affirm and embrace LGBT safe, supportive, and affirming agencies protections for LGBT people and living of LGBT youth who are homeless, HRC youth and prevent some of the chal- for LGBT youth in communities across openly and honestly can be difficult. advocates for federal action to prevent lenges identified here. the country. It is working in collabora- Exhibits featured information for LGBT homelessness, improve funding for tion with other organizations, including people about families, health, civil homeless youth programs, and expand the Welfare League of America, to rights, community, faith, and the work- existing programs to make them more SCHOOL & PEERS complement the work they are doing. place. HRC also offered workshops and inclusive of LGBT youth. HRC supports educational seminars on religion and legislation, the Reconnecting Youth to In Washington, D.C. and in state capitals, Whether through an emergency or a faith, schools and bullying, workplace Prevent Homelessness Act, which would HRC fights for safe schools legislation routine check-up, hospitals and health- and healthcare equality. require that the Secretary of Health and that protects LGBT young people from care providers serve all families and Human Services establish a demonstra- discrimination and bullying. Many states individuals. The HRC Healthcare Equality For a decade, HRC Foundation’s Corpo- tion project to develop programs that are have already adopted inclusive legisla- Index (HEI) engages health providers to rate Equality Index has sought to trans- focused on improving family relation- tion, but there remains work to be done implement non-discrimination policies form the workplace for LGBT employees ships and reducing homelessness for to implement those laws through train- and commit to be inclusive and affirming by promoting policies of fairness and LGBT youth. ing and increasing the cultural compe- of LGBT patients of all ages. This is espe- equality in the country’s leading corpo- tence of education personnel. cially important for young LGBT people, rations. Identifying best practices for HRC is also working with federal agen- who may not be out to their families but protection, recruitment, and retention of cies, including the Department of Health On the federal level, HRC advocates for need to come out to their health provid- LGBT employees, the CEI has encour- and Human Services, to improve existing better protections for LGBT students, ers to get proper care. The HEI targets aged companies to improve and excel. programs that serve youth in foster care, with a current focus on non-discrimina- children’s hospitals to improve the In doing so, the CEI has raised the bar on including those aging out of the system tion and anti-bullying/harassment poli- landscape for all youth-serving medical how corporate America treats its LGBT and becoming independent, to ensure cies. Additionally, HRC seeks to improve providers. HRC works toward creating employees, including LGBT youth, influ- they are inclusive of LGBT youth and that the way current laws are implemented culturally-competent care as a common encing an improvement in workplace vulnerable LGBT youth do not get placed for LGBT youth. practice in the field. climate even beyond the hundreds of into hostile foster homes. companies that participate in the CEI. The Student Non-Discrimination Act To help combat LGBT youth home- HRC is building awareness and support would prohibit schools from discriminat- lessness and family rejection, HRC’s Through its efforts to improve state among federal legislators of the Every ing against LGBT students and provide Religion & Faith Program is launching a laws and regulations, HRC is exploring Child Deserves a Family Act, a bill that students and parents federal protection would prohibit discrimination in feder- from harassment and discrimination. HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 23

The Safe Schools Improvement Act importance of LGBT openness. Coming would promote school safety through CULTURE out has a powerful impact beyond the a comprehensive focus on bullying or individual. As the number of Americans harassment with specific inclusion of The HRC team works to de-stigmatize who say they know someone who is sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT issues and promote positive LGBT has increased, so has public sup- School districts in states that receive messages and images for LGBT people, port for fairness and equality. Through specific federal funds would be required including youth. HRC’s “Call It Out” National Day, its blog, and to adopt codes of conduct specifically project brings attention to and combats other online resources, HRC promotes prohibiting bullying and harassment, and wherever stories with affirming messages that including on the basis of race, color, it occurs and promotes respect and civil are especially important for LGBT youth national origin, sex, disability, sexual discourse. Whether it is from a local who may otherwise be isolated in their orientation, gender identity and religion. school board member, a religious orga- communities. nization, national ‘advocacy groups’ or HRC works with federal agencies, elected officials, anti-gay vitriol creates including the Justice Department and a toxic environment that can make LGBT the Department of Education, to ensure people – particularly youth – think they that—wherever possible given current are not worthy of the same legal rights laws – federal regulations regarding and love that all Americans deserve. safety and nondiscrimination are applied There remain additional opportunities to to protect vulnerable LGBT youth. build greater acceptance particularly in the world of sports where HRC is part- In state capitals across the country, HRC nering with groups like the Ben Cohen is advancing anti-bullying and non-dis- Stand-Up Foundation and Athlete Ally. crimination legislation for K-12 schools. Some states have moved forward with Marriage equality can improve the lives improved laws and more states are of LGBT young people in two key ways. It considering efforts to limit the threat alters their perceptions of what is pos- of cyber bullying. Further, some states sible in the future, beyond current family that have other positive LGBT-related life and school, and for those youth who laws still do not address bullying and have same-sex parents themselves, discrimination in the schools. the ability for their family to receive full legal recognition can be an important The Welcoming Schools project of the milestone toward greater community HRC Foundation is an LGBT-inclusive connection. In addition to its extensive approach to addressing family diversity, legislative and field work on marriage gender stereotyping, bullying and name- equality bills or ballot measures, HRC calling in K-5 schools. With a focus on launched the online media campaign family diversity, it actively values families “Americans for Marriage Equality.” This headed by LGBT parents. Its attention to video campaign features prominent gender stereotyping and name-calling Americans – including athletes, film can help create safer school cultures for and music celebrities, political and civil all students and creates a more balanced rights leaders, and business lead- and accurate understanding of LGBT ers – many of whom are admired and people as students enter the challenging respected by youth. HRC has created a resource bank of materials to years of middle school. While the program help individual LGBT people, including youth first was designed for K-5 elementary schools, For more than a decade, HRC has coming to terms with their identity. Popularly- some K-8 schools have used Welcoming sponsored and promoted National downloaded and requested materials include: Schools and have adapted the program Resource Guide to Coming Out Coming Out Day, generating media Resource Guide to Coming Out for African Americans for older grades. attention and public discussion on the Transgender Visibility: A Guide to Being You HRC Youth Survey Key Findings 24

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

Harris Poll OnlineSM (HPOL) is a Our interviewing policies for U.S.-based Public URL multimillion-member panel of coopera- research comply with the legal codes Working with the Human Rights Cam- tive online respondents. Panelists have of conduct developed by the Council of paign and Harris Interactive Service joined the Harris Poll Online from over American Survey Research Organiza- Bureau, who hosted the Web survey, 100 different sources. Diverse methods tions (CASRO). According to CASRO Greenberg Quinlan Rosner created a are leveraged to gain panelists includ- guidelines, the minimum age to consent link that allowed participants to take ing: co-registration offers on partners’ to participate in survey research in the this survey online. Participants invited websites, targeted emails sent by U.S. is 13 years old. to the study through this source were online partners to their audiences, screened for (self-identified) LGBTQ graphical and text banner placement A key issue in interviewing children both (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or on partners’ websites (including social responsibly and legally is appropriate ) status. This method was used media, news, search, and community parental consent, which is required to collect the overwhelming major- portals), trade show presentations, before conducting research with chil- ity of LGBT interviews in this study targeted postal mail invitations, TV dren under the age of 13. For 8-12 year and ultimately produced a sample of advertisements, and telephone recruit- olds, Harris Interactive obtains consent 10,030 participants ages 13-17 who ment of targeted populations. from their parents, who are HPOL panel- self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, ists themselves, using well-defined transgender or queer. Certain questions When respondents are recruited into parental permission policies. Panelists in the survey were directed only to self- this panel, it is made very clear to them identified as age 18+ with an 8-12 year ascribed LGBT respondents. that they are joining a market research old child living in the household are panel and that they will be asked sent email invitations with a link to the The Human Rights Campaign adver- periodically to participate in online child survey. The invites specify that tised this link through social media, research. They are shown the terms and the survey is intended for their child as well as through direct communica- conditions of panel membership as well and explain the content and approxi- tion with LGBT youth centers across as our privacy policy. Panelists must mate length of the survey. If the parent the country. This method of collecting agree to our Terms of Use which state agrees to allow their child to partici- interviews is common in exploring hard that panelists are limited to a single pate in the survey, they are asked to to reach populations, but it does not membership and can be removed if they provide the link to their child. This represent a truly random opt-in sample. are found in violation of this rule. process is also used to supplement the Traditional measures of margin of error 13-17 year old panel through targeted do not apply and the results here may All panelists recruited have completed panelists age 18+ with a 13-17 year old not be representative of this population a ‘confirmed’ or ‘double’ opt-in (COI/ in the household. as a whole. DOI) process. This process requires that each registrant confirm his or her Data collected for this survey were desire to join our panel by clicking on collected by Harris Interactive Service Online Panel a link within an email that is sent to Bureau (“HISB”) on behalf of the Human In addition, this research includes the registrant’s email address upon Rights Campaign. HISB was responsible 510 interviews among respondents registering. The content of the email for the data collected and Greenberg ages 13-17 drawn from the Harris Poll specifies that by clicking on the link the Quinlan Rosner Client was responsible OnlineSM (HPOL .) These interviews registrant is expressly stating his or her for the survey design, data weighting, were not screened for LGBT status and desire to take part in the panel. Once data analysis and reporting any/all comprise the “straight” population in they consent to join the panel, mem- methods that apply. this study. Note however that five per- bers are invited to participate in various cent of these interviews self-identified surveys through email invitations which

as LGBT and were asked questions include a short description of the A rmy D esign directed at this population. research and indicate the approximate survey length. : C reative the survey

Q.1 (SAMPLE 1) Some of the 5) None of the above, I am out 1) Definitely fit in ____ 25 Churches and places of questions we will be asking in this of school 2) Somewhat fit in worship survey may seem quite personal. 6) Home schooled 3) Somewhat do not fit in ____ 26 Your own church or place of However, please be assured that 7) Other 4) Definitely do not fit in worship your responses will remain strictly 8) (Decline to answer) 5) (Decline to answer) ____ 27 Your school confidential. The responses from all Q.6 Because we want everyone Q.14 How often you participate in ____ 28 Your peers or people your age participants will be combined and represented in this survey, the next the following activities? ____ 29 Your family analysis will be conducted only on few questions are for statistical 1=Very often ____ 30 Your local city/town the information grouped together. purposes only. Do you identify your 2=Sometimes government If you have any questions about sexual orientation as: 3=Not very often ____ 31 Your state government our confidentiality policies, please 1) Heterosexual/straight 4=Never ____ 32 Your doctor feel free to contact our Survey Help 2) Gay 5= (Decline to answer) ____ 33 Local businesses 3) Lesbian Desk. Your participation and input is (RANDOMIZE) Q.34 (IF LGBTQ) In your own words, 4) Bisexual crucial to the success of this study. ____ 14 Attend church or religious please describe what it is like for you 6) Queer If you feel uncomfortable answering services in a house of worship. to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans- 7) I prefer to identify myself ____ 15 Participate in a church or a sensitive question, please select AS: (SPECIFY) gender in your community. Please be religious youth group. “Decline to answer” and then move 8) Decline to answer as specific as possible. ____ 16 Play sports for your school on to the next question. Q.7 Do you consider yourself male, 1) ?? (SAMPLE 2) or community league or club Q.35 Some of the questions , transgender or other gender In the last year, how often does ____ 17 Participate in afterschool we will be asking in this survey may (e.g. genderqueer or androgynous)? the following happen to you? activities, such as drama, debate, seem quite personal. However, please (Punch 2-7 on LGBTQ OR punch 3-4 1=Frequently band or academic clubs 2=Often be assured that your responses will on gender are coded as “LGBTQ”; the ____ 18 Participate in a service or- 3=Sometimes remain strictly confidential. This rest are coded as non-LGBTQ) (TER- ganizations, such as the Boy Scouts, 4=Rarely research is sponsored by the Human MINATE NON-LGBTQ IN SAMPLE 1) Girl Scouts, YMCA or Key Club 5=Never Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s 1) Male 6= (Decline to answer) leading civil rights groups for lesbian, 2) Female ____ 19 Participate in lesbian, gay, (RANDOMIZE) gay, bisexual and transgender people 3) Transgender bisexual or transgender organiza- ____ 35 You are have been excluded and is designed to allow HRC to bet- 4) I prefer to identify my gen- tions in your school, such as the Gay by your peers because you are dif- ter understand issues facing young Der as: (SPECIFY) Straight Alliance. ferent. lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgen- 5) (Decline to answer) ____ 20 Work at a paying job ____ 36 You have been verbally ha- der people. The responses from all Q.8 Most people are born either ____ 21 (LGBTQ) Participate in rassed and called names at school. participants will be combined and male or female, but often feel or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender ____ 37 You have been verbally analysis will be conducted only on behave in a way that is different organizations outside of your school, harassed and called names outside the information grouped together. from what society believes is male or such as a gay youth center. of school, for example in your neigh- If you have any questions about female behavior. On the scale below, ____ 22 (LGBTQ) Participate in an borhood, or at the mall. our confidentiality policies, please please indicate either how male or online community that addresses the ____ 38 You have been physically as- feel free to contact our Survey Help female you feel. issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual saulted, punched, kicked or shoved Desk. Your participation and input is 1) 0-10 and transgender youth at school. crucial to the success of this study. Q.9 (IF TRANSGENDER IN GENDER) Q.23 Would you say your community, ____ 39 You have been physically as- If you feel uncomfortable answering Would you say that you transi- that is, the place where you live, is saulted, punched, kicked or shoved a sensitive question, please select tioned...? generally accepting or unaccepting outside of school, for example in your “Decline to answer” and then move 1) From male to female of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- neighborhood, or at the mall. on to the next question. 2) From female to male gender people? ____ 40 You have been harassed on- SAMPLE 1 Ages 13-17, generated 3) Neither 1) Very accepting line, sometimes called cyber-bullying from panel 4) Other (SPECIFY) 2) Somewhat accepting ____ 41 You have been verbally SAMPLE 2 Ages 13-17, LGBTQ 5) Decline to answer 3) Somewhat unaccepting screened, generated by link Q.10 Generally speaking, how would 4) Very unaccepting harassed and called names involving 1) Dial Region 1 you say things are these days in your 5) Don’t know anti-gay slurs such as “gay” or “fag” 2) Dial Region 2 life - would you say you are very 6) (Decline to answer) Q.42 (LGBTQ SAMPLE) (IF FRE- 3) Dial Region 3 happy, pretty happy, pretty unhappy Q.24 Do you believe things are QUENTLY OR OFTEN FOR ANY ITEMS 4 )Dial Region 4 or very unhappy? getting better or worse in your IN FREQ1) Do you believe these 5) Dial Region 5 1) Very happy community in terms of accepting things happen to you because of 6) Logoff 2) Pretty happy lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- your sexual orientation or gender Q.2 In what year were you born? 3) Somewhere in between der people? identity? Please enter as a four-digit number, 4) Pretty unhappy 1) Getting much better 1) Yes e.g., 1963. (For sample 1 and sample 5) Very unhappy 2) Getting somewhat better 2) No 2, accept only ages 13-17) 6) (Decline to answer) 3) About the same 4) (Decline to answer) 2) Enter number Q.11 (SPLIT A) What is the most 4) Getting somewhat worse Q.43 If you felt worried or sad, is Q.3 In what state or territory do you difficult problem facing you in your 5) Getting much worse there an adult in your family you currently reside? life these days? Please be as specific 6) (Decline to answer) could turn to for help? (DROP DOWN LIST OF STATES) as possible. Q.25 When it comes to accepting 1) Yes 1) Enter Response 1) ?? lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- 2) No Q.4 What is your zip code? Please Q.12 (SPLIT B) In your own words, der people, how would you rate the 3) Don’t know enter only the first five digits. if you could change one thing about following people or institutions in 4) (Decline to answer) 4) Enter Zip your life right now what would it be, your community? Q.44 If you felt worried or sad, is Q.5 (If ages 13-17) Do you currently and why? Please be as specific as 1=Very accepting there an adult in your community or attend? possible. 2=Somewhat accepting school, but outside of your family, 2) Middle school or junior 1) ?? 3=Not very accepting you could turn to for help? HIGH school Q.13 Thinking in terms of your com- 4=Not at all accepting 1) Yes 3) High school munity, the place where you live, do 5=Don’t know/does not apply 2) No 4) University, college or com- you feel that you? 6= (Decline to answer) 3) Don’t know munity college (RANDOMIZE) 4) (Decline to answer) Q.45 Please answer the following ____ 60 Raise children 3) On the Internet 1) Yes questions to the best of your ability. ____ 61 Have a good job 4) From elected leaders or 2) No 1=Yes ____ 62 Be happy politicians 3) Prefer not to say 2=No ____ 63 Go to college 5) From your family Q.92 What is your religion? 3=Don’t know ____ 64 Be an active part of your 6) From leaders in your com- 1) Protestant (such as Baptist, 4= (Decline to answer) community munity methodist, Presbyterian, (RANDOMIZE) 7) From your peers or people Lutheran, Episcopal) Q.65 Please indicate whether you ____ 45 Is there a club at your school YouR own age 2) Roman Catholic agree or disagree with the following that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual 8) From religious leaders 3) Jewish statements. Remember, everything 4) Muslim/Islam or transgender students, such as the 9) Other (SPECIFY) in this survey is kept completely 5) Mormon Gay Straight Alliance? 10) (Decline to answer) confidential. 6) Orthodox Church (Greek, ____ 46 (LGBTQ) Is there a place Q.75 (IF HOMESCHOOLED IN 1=Strongly agree Russian, etc.) in your community, such as a com- SCHOOL) Do you attend school at 2=Somewhat agree 7) Other Christian religion munity center, that helps lesbian, 3=Somewhat disagree home because of your identity as a 8) Other religion gay, bisexual or transgender young 4=Strongly disagree lesbian, gay, bisexual or trandgender (not Christian) people? 5=(Decline to answer) person? 9) No preference ____ 47 (LGBTQ) Is there a non- ____ 65 I know things will get better. 1) Yes 10) Atheist/Agnostic official place or hang-out in your ____ 66 I will need to move to 2) No 11) Decline to answer community where young lesbian, gay, another city/ town or another part of 3) (Decline to answer) Q.93 (ASKED ONLY OF THOSE bisexual or transgender students can the country to really feel accepted Q.76 (IF LGBTQ) Have you come out RESPONDENTS WHO HAVE A go and be accepted? ____ 67 I have experimented with to the following people or institu- PROTESTANT OR OTHER CHRISTIAN ____ 48 (SPLIT A) Are there laws in alcohol and drugs. tions? RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE IN RELIG). your state that protect lesbian, gay, ____ 68 (LGBTQ) Most of my peers do 1=Yes When it comes to your religious bisexual or transgender from dis- not have a problem with my identity 2=No identity, would you say you are a crimination in the work place? as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans- 3=(Does not apply) fundamentalist, evangelical, charis- ____ 49 (SPLIT B) Are there laws in gender person. ____ 76 Immediate family matic, Pentecostal, mainline, liberal your city or town that protect lesbian, ____ 69 I am more honest about who ____ 77 Extended family Protestant, or do none of these de- gay, bisexual or transgender from I am on-line than in the real world. ____ 78 Close friends scribe you? discrimination in the work place? ____ 70 There is at least one adult ____ 79 Classmates 1) Fundamentalist ____ 50 Is there a specific church or I can talk to about your personal ____ 80 Your teachers 2) Evangelical synagogue in your community that problems. ____ 81 To your clergy 3) Charismatic provides welcome environment for ____ 82 At work 4) Pentecostal Q.71 (SPLIT C) Do you ever hear any lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender ____ 83 At school 5) Mainline people? positive messages about being gay, ____ 84 At church 6) Liberal lesbian, bisexual or transgender? 7) None Q.51 If any of the items listed below ____ 85 Your coaches 1) Yes 8) Other (SPECIFY) are on your list of hopes and dreams ____ 86 Your doctor 2) No 9) Don’t know for the future, how likely do you think Q.87 (SPLIT A) (IF NO ON FAMILY OR 3) (Decline to answer) 10) (Decline to answer) it is that these will happen? Q.72 (SPLITC) (IF YES ON POSMSG). EXTENDED FAMILY IN OUT3) Please Q.94 (IF RELIG=PROTESTANT/CATH- 1=Very likely Where do you most often hear describe in your own words why OLIC/MORMON/ORTHODOX/OTHER 2=Somewhat likely positive messages about being gay, are you are not out to your family or CHRISTIAN/OTHER/DK) Would you 3=Somewhat unlikely lesbian, bisexual or transgender? extended family: consider yourself a born-again 4=Very unlikely Please check all that apply? (ACCEPT 1) Enter Response 5=Already happened Christian? UP TO SEVEN RESPONSES) Q.88 (SPLIT B) (IF NO ON CLASS- 6=Not on my list 1) Yes 1) At school MATES, TEACHERS OR AT SCHOOL IN 7=(Decline to answer) 2) No 2) In movies, television shows OUT3) Please describe in your own (RANDOMIZE) 3) (Decline to answer) or on the radio words why are you are not out to ____ 51 Get married to someone Q.95 How often do you attend reli- 3) On the Internet classmates, teachers or at school? : gious services? you love 4) From elected leaders or 1) Enter Response 1) Every week ____ 52 Establish a life-long part- politicians Q.89 (IF LGBTQ) Would you feel safe 2) Once or twice a month nership with someone you love 5) From your family revealing your identify as a lesbian, 3) Several times a year ____ 53 Raise children 6) From leaders in your gay, bisexual or transgender person 4) Hardly ever ____ 54 Have a good job community by wearing a t-shirt, button, or put- 5) Never ____ 55 Be happy 7) From your peers or people ting a rainbow sticker or equal sign 6) Prefer not to say ____ 56 Go to college Your own age sticker on your locker or bike? Q.96 And you would you describe the ____ 57 Be an active part of your 8) From religious leaders 1) Yes area in which you live? community 9) Other (SPECIFY) 2) No 1) Rural Q.58 Thinking about these issues 10) (Decline to answer) 3) (Decline to answer) 2) Suburban Q.73 (SPLIT D) Do you ever hear any again, if you live in the same city or Q.90 To ensure that everyone is 3) Urban or city negative messages about being gay, town where you live now for the rest represented equally, what is your 4) (Decline to answer) lesbian, bisexual or transgender? of your life, how likely do you think it race/ethnicity? Q.97 Do you currently live with? 1) Yes is that these will happen? 1) White 1) Parent or Parents (not foster) 2) No 1=Very likely 2) Black/African American 2) Extended Family 3) (Decline to answer) 2=Somewhat likely 3) Hispanic/Latino/Spanish 3) Foster Parent/Parents 3=Somewhat unlikely Q.74 (SPLIT D) (IF YES ON NEGMSG). Amerian/Chicano 4) No fixed address 4=Very unlikely Where do you most often hear 4) Asian/Pacific Islander 5) Other (SPECIFY) 5=Already happened negative messages about being gay, 5) American Indian/Native 6) (Decline to answer) 6=Not on my list lesbian, bisexual or transgender? American 7= (Decline to answer) Please check all that apply? (ACCEPT 6) Other (RANDOMIZE) UP TO SEVEN RESPONSES) 7) Decline to Answer ____ 58 Get married to someone you love 1) At school Q.91 [SKIP IF HISPANIC IN RACE] Do ____ 59 Establish a life-long partner- 2) In movies, television shows you consider yourself an Hispanic, La- ship with someone you love or on the radio tino or a Spanish-speaking American?