New Brochure Available to Help LGBTQ Teens “Being Out, Being Safe”
CHICAGO (May 22, 2007) – Being a teenager isn’t easy. Being a teenager who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) can be increasingly challenging.
A new brochure developed by the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS), “Being Out, Being Safe,” is now available to help LGBTQ teens deal with issues such as hiding their sexuality, lack of family support, understanding and accepting their sexual and gender identity, or dealing with teasing and bullying.
“Research shows that LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to exhibit the symptoms of major depression than heterosexual youth – which may lead to a runaway episode,” said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. “This new brochure will educate and help all LGBTQ youth get the assistance they need to be safe.”
"Being Out, Being Safe,” explains the realities facing LGBTQ teens, tips for youth and adults on how to become an ally of LGBTQ youth, resources where LGBTQ teens can find additional services and support, and staggering statistics such as:
- LGBTQ youth are five times more likely to have suicidal ideations and over six times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth, according to General Psychiatry.
- 58.7 percent of homeless and runaway LGBTQ youth have been sexually victimized, while 33.4 percent of homeless and runaway heterosexual youth have been sexually victimized, according to The Journal of Sex Research.
More than 10,000 brochures have been printed and can be ordered free of charge by clicking through the “Educational & Promotional Materials” tab at www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
The National Runaway Switchboard, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Recognized as the oldest hotline of its kind in the world, NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually – more than 3 million calls since the organization’s inception. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 10,000 youth have been reunited with their families through NRS’ Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. The NRS crisis hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY. For more information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
