Interesting Facts
1. The first documented U.S. gay rights organization, The Society for Human Rights (SHR) was founded in 1924 by Henry Gerber, a German immigrant. America's first lesbian rights organization, The Daughters of Bilitis, was formed in San Francisco on September 21, 1955.
2. Approximately 5-10% of the general population is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
3. The three major metropolitan cities with the highest LGBT concentration are San Francisco (15.4%), Seattle (12.9%), and Atlanta (12.8%).
4. In June 2011, California became the first state to pass a bill requiring public schools to teach the historical accomplishments of gay men and lesbians.
5. On February 12, 2004, the first same-sex marriage in the United States happened in San Francisco, California. Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon became the first gay couple to marry and receive official recognition after being together for 50 years. It is important to recognize that prior to European colonization, same sex unions occurred.
6. Sao Paulo, Brazil holds the Guinness World Record for the number of attendees at a pride event, with three to five million people attending the event every year.
7. Every color in the LGBTQIA+ flag has a meaning:
- Red: Life
- Orange: Healing
- Yellow: Sunlight
- Green: Nature
- Blue: Harmony
- Violet: Spirit
Tough Truths
(Results of the Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2019 Report)
1. 39% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months, with more than 50% of transgender and non-binary youth having seriously considered.
2. 71% of LGBTQ youth reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks in the past year.
3. Less than half of LGBTQ respondents were out to an adult at school, with youth less likely to disclose their gender identity than sexual orientation.
4. 2 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that someone tried to convince them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Youth who have undergone conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide as those who did not.
5. 71% of LGBTQ youth in the study reported discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
6. 58% of transgender and non-binary youth reported being discouraged from using a bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity.
7. 76% of LGBTQ youth felt that the recent political climate impacted their mental health or sense of self.
8. 87% of LGBTQ youth said that it was important to them to reach out to a crisis intervention organization that focuses on LGBTQ youth. 98% said a safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth would be valuable to them.