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. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 2022 Report)
1. 73% of LGBTQ youth reported feeling symptoms of anxiety, while 58% reported experiencing symptoms of depression.
2. 73% of LGBTQ youth reported that they have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime.
3. 45% of LGBTQ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide.
4. 36% of LGBTQ youth reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
5. 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. The most common reasons were:
- Fear of discussing mental health issues (48%)
- Concerns with obtaining parent/caregiver permission (45%)
- Fear of not being taken seriously (43%)
6. 91% of transgender and non-binary youth worry about transgender people being denied access to the bathroom, and 83% are worried about access to sports due to state or local laws
A Couple of Bright Spots
1. LGBTQ youth who live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide compared to those who do not.
- 37% identified home as an LGBTQ-affirming space
- 55% identified school as an LGBTQ-affirming space
2. The five most common ways that LGBTQ youth reported feeling supported by their parents or caregivers are:
- Been welcoming to their LGBTQ friends or partners (62%)
- Talked with them respectfully about their LGBTQ identity (48%)
- Used their name and pronouns correctly (47%)
- Supported their gender expression (45%)
- Educated themselves about LGBTQ people and issues (35%)
3. 89% of LGBTQ youth reported that seeing LGBTQ representation in TV/movies made them feel good about being LGBTQ.