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GLB Youth Suicide Problems  in EnglandScotland / Ireland

Contents:

A 1989 British GLB Youth Suicide Problem Summary of Studies.

Some Recent Commentaries / Reports: GLB Individuals at High Risk for Suicide Problems. - Suicide Problems as Result of Anti-Gay Bullying. - In Prisons. - Homophobia and Mental Health. - Suicide Problems Ongoing?

Suicide Problems Experienced by GLB Adolescent and Other Adolescents Abused in Schools and Elsewhere Because They are Known or Believed to be Homosexual. A Collection of Related Information.

What is the "ABUSE" situation for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people in in smaller cities and towns in the UK? Excerpts from an Investigative Report by ABC on the Autralian Situation. Would the situation not be quite similar in the UK? Why have such investigative reports not been done in UK?

GLB Suicide Problems Likely In Ireland.

GLB Suicide Problems In Scotland?

A 1989 British GLB Youth Suicide Problem Summary.

From: Plummer K (1989). Lesbian and gay youth in England. In: Herdt G, Ed.. Gay and Lesbian Youth. Harrington Park Press, New York. Also published in The Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 17 (3/4), 195-223.  (A PubMed abstract link with a document delivery service.)

Ken Plummer describes a situation likely associated with youth suicide problems in England: "The kind of behaviour we are seeing against kids, who may not even be gay, just different (and therefore labelled) is savage and unrelenting. It is more what we might expect of a jail system than the supposed safe haven we expect schools to be for our kids. It is not a safe place for kids who are perceived to be gay. School culture is virulently anti-gay.". (SMH 5/4/97) A remarkable similar situation exists in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries.

References:

London Gay Teenage Group (1983, December). Experience and participation: A response by the London Gay Teenage Group.  Related information may also be located in Trenchard L (1984). Something to tell you... The experiences and needs of young lesbians and gay men in London. London Gay Teenage Group. The Mental Health Foundation Briefing No 1 - Suicide and deliberate self-harm Reports that "The London Gay Teenage Project (1984) found that 19% of their sample of 415 respondents had attempted suicide."
Bye SL (1984).An investigation into the lives of socially and geographically isolated teenagers. Unpublished B.A. Project, Sociology Department, University of Essex.
Note 24: "An important group established by Rose Roberson to deal with parents inquiries, but which also receives calls from and counsels many young people."

Some Recent Commentaries / Reports: GLB Individuals at High Risk for Suicide Problems.

Rates and predictors of mental illness in gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women: Results from a survey based in England and Wales (Pub Med 2004 Abstract): "Of the 1285 gay, lesbian and bisexual respondents who took part, 556 (43%) had mental disorder as defined by the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS - R). Out of the whole sample, 361 (31%) had attempted suicide. This was associated with markers of discrimination such as recent physical attack (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3) and school bullying (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0)..."

Study: Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales (Abstract) (PubMed Abstract): "Gay men and lesbians were more likely than heterosexuals to have consulted a mental health professional in the past, deliberately harmed themselves and used recreational drugs. Lesbians were more likely to have experienced verbal and physical intimidation and to consume more alcohol than heterosexual women." - New Study Indicates Gays and Lesbians Prone To Psychological Symptoms and Substance Abuse - But School Harassment Rates Not Higher for Gay Males.

Ignoring the evidence dictating the practice: sexual orientation, suicidality and the dichotomy of the mental health nurse (Pub Med 2004 Abstract): "Until recently in England, Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1988), forbidding the promotion of homosexuality, further reinforced negativity towards this group of people. This compounded the negative mental health consequences for those developing a gay sexual orientation in a climate of heterosexism. Current health care policy in England concerns itself with the rising number of suicides among young people but fails to acknowledge the importance of the research findings relating to gay people by integrating them into the development of mental health policy. This paper reviews the literature relating to homosexual people and suicidality, and addresses the seriousness of a policy rhetoric which results from ignoring the evidence while dictating mental health nursing practice."

'Suicide wish' of gay bullying victims (07/18/00, BBC): "A large proportion of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils who are bullied by their classmates try to commit suicide, according to research.  A study suggests that half of them contemplate killing or harming themselves, and four in 10 actually harm themselves at least once... The research also indicates that 17% - nearly one in five - display symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder later in life... The findings by Dr Ian Rivers, of the College of Ripon and York St John, were being presented to The British Psychological Society's Lesbian and Gay Section Conference at the University of Surrey on Tuesday. "

At the time of his suicide Fashanu was wanted by police after fleeing America, where he had a coaching job, in the wake of charges that he performed a sexual act on a 17-year-old boy N/A. - Peter Tatchell says it was homophobia that ultimately destroyed the career and life of football star Justin Fashanu. - Darren Steele (N/A) had suffered a five-year ordeal of taunting and beating from fellow pupils at de Ferrers High in Burton because he was thought to be gay, purely because of his love of cookery and drama classes. Darren left a suicide note naming those he blamed for his death, and this resulted in the arrest of 11 pupils, although the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute them. Choirboy hanged himself after years of bullying. More related items: 1, 2, 3. - Let's talk about sexuality N/A: The Samaritans and the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard have been building bridges to improve services available to the despairing and suicidal. - Student who died under train told family he was gay: "A gifted Cambridge University student was killed under a Tube train hours after revealing his homosexuality to his parents, an inquest was told yesterday...."

Suicide problems after becoming part of gay community: No Way Out N/A - "Last year, six friends of mine tried to kill themselves. All men in their twenties, all intelligent, attractive, popular, and seemingly happy; and all, to a greater or lesser extent, identifying as gay. I started the year never having known anyone who’d attempted suicide. By christmas it felt like my world had been struck by an epidemic:" Three cases are described.  "The Project for Advice, Counselling and Education (PACE) recognize that gay suicide is not a problem restricted to the pre-coming-out years of adolescence. "It’s an ongoing problem", one counselor told me. Many gay men don't find the support they need on the gay scene." It's a telling indictment of gay society that. Far from providing a solution to the homophobia of conventional life, the gay scene, and it's me-generation hedonism, makes gay people feel more isolated and alienated. - Warning over gay community's suicide rate.

Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association News Release - 5 October 1999: - "Take the case of Simon Harvey, son of George Harvey who runs a so-called counselling service for gays in East Anglia. Simon killed himself because he couldn't reconcile his homosexuality with the stance taken by his evangelical Christian father. More recently, a young man in Rotherham killed himself after listening to the American evangelist Pat Robertson condemning homosexual relationships - a tragedy brought to light by the coroner at the inquest. - Victims of gay bashing suicide link.

Study: Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales (Abstract) (PubMed Abstract): "Gay men and lesbians were more likely than heterosexuals to have consulted a mental health professional in the past, deliberately harmed themselves and used recreational drugs. Lesbians were more likely to have experienced verbal and physical intimidation and to consume more alcohol than heterosexual women." - New Study Indicates Gays and Lesbians Prone To Psychological Symptoms and Substance Abuse - But School Harassment Rates Not Higher for Gay Males. - Gay star reveals suicide attempt (2006): "Gay actor Stephen Fry will reveal his struggle with depression and suicide contemplation in a new BBC documentary highlighting the condition later this year."

The cultural context of youth suicide: Identity, gender, and sexuality (Research in Progress: (PDF Download - Word Download): "There is growing international evidence that young people struggling with issues of sexuality and gender identity face increased likelihood of attempting suicide. This has been raised repeatedly as an issue in the U.K. though not yet researched in detail. The proposed study will explore the cultural context of youth suicide in England and Wales, with a focus on the significance of gender identity and sexuality."

On October 6, 1998, in a news item titled "UK 'Teachers bully gay pupils'" BBC News reported that some teachers abuse boys known (or believed) to be gay, thus creating and/or exacerbating problems - including suicide problems - for these adolescent. Anecdotal suicide-related information is given. (Alternate article link.) - A 1996 double lesbian youth suicide. 

Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association News Release - 5 October 1999: - "Take the case of Simon Harvey, son of George Harvey who runs a so-called counselling service for gays in East Anglia. Simon killed himself because he couldn't reconcile his homosexuality with the stance taken by his evangelical Christian father. More recently, a young man in Rotherham killed himself after listening to the American evangelist Pat Robertson condemning homosexual relationships - a tragedy brought to light by the coroner at the inquest.

Straight Talk:  One of the top four causes of young people committing suicide is conflict due to sexual orientation (according to the Department of Health booklet  Sometimes I Think I Can't Go On Anymore published in 1995). If young gay men and lesbian women were to receive supportive education, and their peers were encouraged to become more understanding of homosexuality, many of the suicides committed by young people will be avoided.

The UK Childline N/A states: "Groups particularly at risk of suicide include unemployed or homeless young people, young gay men and lesbians and young people who have problems with drugs."

Let's talk about sexuality N/A: The Samaritans and the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard have been building bridges to improve services available to the despairing and suicidal.

Suicide and deliberate self-harm N/A: The Fundamental Facts from The UK Mental Health Foundation. Includes some information on gay and lesbian suicide problems.

Gay Health Issues N/A: In 1992 The Department of Health set a target to reduce the suicide rate among the general pollution by 15 per cent by the year 2000.. A group called 'Esteem' is currently researching attempted suicide rates among the lesbian, gay and bisexual young people as it is believed that the rates are alarmingly high.

The Community News" May 1999 N/A: "Young gay men have the highest percentage of attempted suicide. A recent study (Toner et al 1999) found that 54.1 % of their sample of gay men had made at least one suicide attempt. Indeed their sample was 30 times more likely to attempt suicide than the generic population." (From the "AIDS Education Unit N/A: HIV health promotion in Barnet and surrounding areas..." web site, London).

 
Suicide Is Everyone's Concern: A Thematic Review by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons N/A.

Gay prisoners N/A: "5.19 Young people who are gay can be seen as particularly vulnerable to the risk of suicide or self-harm. This is not because of their sexual orientation as such, but due to their isolation, fear of being misunderstood or abused, and lack of people to trust and talk to. Again we stress the importance of increasing understanding and tolerance of diversity.

Discrimination Hurts: New Research Reveals the Damaging Impact fo Homopnobia on Mental Health N/A. "More than half of mental health workers have helped gay men and lesbians left emotionally scarred by discrimination because of their sexual identity, according to a national survey by the Health Education Authority for World Mental Health Day... Fifty three per cent of those surveyed said they had helped patients who had been discriminated against because of their sexuality, accounting for nine per cent of the patients of psychiatrists, 13 per cent of Community Psychiatric Nurse cases and a third of primary care specialist cases." ... A spokesperson for PACE said: 'We are pleased that this campaign recognises that the discrimination and homophobia faced by lesbians and gay men can have detrimental effects on their mental health.'

Suicide problems after becoming part of gay community:No Way Out (Alternate Link)- "The shocking statistics for suicide amongst gay teenagers have traditionally been attributed to the pressures of coming out in a hetero-defined society. Murray Healy discovers an alarming new trend amongst twenty-somethings who find the promised land of the urban gay community isn’t all they expected it to be... Last year, six friends of mine tried to kill themselves. All men in their twenties, all intelligent, attractive, popular, and seemingly happy; and all, to a greater or lesser extent, identifying as gay. I started the year never having known anyone who’d attempted suicide. By christmas it felt like my world had been struck by an epidemic:" Three cases are described.

"The Project for Advice, Counselling and Education (PACE) recognize that gay suicide is not a problem restricted to the pre-coming-out years of adolescence. "It’s an ongoing problem", one counsellor told me. Many gay men don’t find the support they need on the gay scene." It’s a telling indictment of gay society that. Far from providing a solution to the homophobia of conventional life, the gay scene, and it’s me-generation hedonism, makes gay people feel more isolated and alienated.

A Suicide in UK: Teenage Gay Male, Hated & Abused by His Family. Related NY Research by D'Augelli et al. (2005): Abstract. Full Text. "Factors that differentiated youth reporting suicide attempts and those not reporting attempts were greater childhood parental psychological abuse and more childhood gender-atypical behavior.Gay-related suicide attempts were associated with identifiability as LGB, especially by parents."

Lesbian Information Service reports on "a qualitative study conducted 1990-1991." IT "found high levels of attempted suicide and self-harm ( 14 out of 20 participants )." Study Results are reported in Bridget J and Lucille S (1996). Lesbian Youth Support Information Service (LYSIS) : Developing a distance support agency for young lesbians. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 6 (5), 355-364. (Note: The study also reports high levels of abuse of the young lesbians studied by older lesbians.)

Inaugural European Conference: Gay and Lesbian Identities N/A: Working with Young People, their Families and Schools - University College London - 29-30 March 1999 -- ‘Improving and Informing Theory and Practice’
 

Anti-Gay Bullying in Schools and Related to Suicide Problems.

Schools accused of abandoning thousands of gay children to classroom bullies: Homophobic abuse is driving many pupils out of education, researchers say. (The Guardian, May 9, 2005): " "This sort of thing happened pretty much every day for 18 months," said the 15-year-old, who left school a year early because of the relentless bullying. "I often had chairs thrown at me in class and was kicked and punched in the corridor. It was something I just had to deal with." Steven, from Birmingham, is one of tens of thousands of gay pupils who have been forced to abandon their studies because of what campaigners describe as the "endemic" abuse of gay and lesbian pupils across the country. The gay rights group Stonewall estimates that more than 60,000 gay and lesbian pupils are victims of homophobic abuse that can range from name-calling to serious physical and sexual assaults..."

'Suicide wish' of gay bullying victims (07/18/00, BBC): "A large proportion of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils who are bullied by their classmates try to commit suicide, according to research.  A study suggests that half of them contemplate killing or harming themselves, and four in 10 actually harm themselves at least once... The research also indicates that 17% - nearly one in five - display symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder later in life... The findings by Dr Ian Rivers, of the College of Ripon and York St John, were being presented to The British Psychological Society's Lesbian and Gay Section Conference at the University of Surrey on Tuesday. " - Information related to research carried out by Ian Rivers N/A.  - Summary of River's Research Related to Homophobic Bullying and its Long-Term Negative Effects N/A.

Dispelling the Myths by Chris Morris N/A: "I was 15 when I decided to come out at school. The first step was pretty easy: I told a gossip who I knew would spread the word quickly. I knew he had finished when he joined the growing crowd and played his part in the macho performance - 'We don't like your sort!' As the insults turned into threats to my life, one teacher was heard sneering, 'Oh well, he did say he was a homo. What else did he expect?'"

Teachers denounce bullying of gay pupils (04/19/00, BBC, by Gary Eason): "Teachers have deplored homophobic bullying by schoolchildren and say few schools acknowledge it or have policies to tackle it.  At the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) annual conference, being held in Belfast, parents were also criticised for condoning or even encouraging their children's bullying of homosexual pupils. Delegates overwhelmingly called on the government to see through its promise to repeal Clause 28 of the Local Government Act, which prevents local authorities from promoting homosexuality... 'It makes the victims' school lives a misery. It destroys their self-confidence. At worst it can lead to suicide,' he said. " Courage To Care: Submission on homophobic bullying by Leicester Lesbian and Gay Action N/A: Results of the Ian Rivers study are given, and some case studies.
 

Anti-gay bullies 'given free rein' (07/02/00, BBC): (Alternate Link) - "Homophobic abuse and bullying is rife in schools because teachers are inhibited by the law banning the promotion of homosexuality [by Clause 28], according to research from a leading educational institute. Confidential interviews with teachers have revealed that they choose to ignore the problem because of uncertainty regarding their legal position - so bullies feel they can act with impunity, the research suggests... Consequently gentle boys or 'tomboy' girls become targets.  'Boys struggle to avoid being called 'gay', 'poofta', 'bumboy', 'queer' or whatever the local term of abuse is,' said Dr Epstein." 

Note: The reason given for ongoing anti-gay bullying - Clause 28 - may NOT be true. Teachers in Canada, US, Australia, and other countries all have a general history of ignoring - even encouraging - and sometimes participating in - anti-gay bullying of students, and especially students manifesting any behavior (usually gender non-conformity) or attitudes indicating / suggesting that they may NOT be heterosexual. Example: Teen sues school district over anti-gay harassment (Associated Press - 06/26/00):  "A 17-year-old northwestern Pennsylvania boy is suing a school district for failing to intervene with anti-gay harassment he said drove him to try to commit suicide... The lawsuit, brought June 8 in federal court in Erie, says Dahle realized he was gay or bisexual when he was in sixth grade. He claimed that since that time he was subjected to name-calling, obscene jokes and physical assaults. Dahle said in the suit that he reported the harassment to school administrators, but no one did anything to help."

He's Not A Freak, He's My Son N/A: "After the tragic suicide of a 15 year old boy, taunted by homophobic bullies at school, a mother tells us HER story... He was about four years old when I first noticed he was different... He went on to say that it was because my son behaved DIFFERENTLY that he was being bullied. 'Some pupils seem to attract the bullies,' the teacher said. ' Your son doesn't behave like the other boys.' ...One thing that sticks in my mind more than anything is the day I saw a teenage boy point to me and say 'That's the 'FREAK'S' mother.'

Straight Talk - Newsletter of the Gay Men's Health Wiltshire and Swindon N/A - "Try to imagine yourself as a young person going through the emotional turmoil of  puberty. Add to this the feelings of being different, or actually being attracted to    people of the same sex. All your life you have been told that gay men are perverted and are the object of ridicule. How do you feel? You can’t change what you are feeling inside, so what can you do?"

For information about adolescent suicidality as related to anti-gay harassment, see Bagley C, D'Augelli A (2000). Suicidal behaviour in gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth (Editorial). British Medical Journal, 320, 1617-8 (Full Text).

Bullied [in the workplace] because you're gay or lesbian? Anti-homosexuality related bullying begins in childhood / adolescence, and especially in schools, and it continues after leaving school and entering the workplace. "People get bullied and harassed for all sorts of reasons. A commonly reported reason is because you're "different" in some way. And especially if you're gay or lesbian... A survey in 1999 by a Scottish health and safety unit found that over 80 per cent of gay and transsexual people have been victims of verbal abuse, victimisation and assault at work. Most of those surveyed said they had experienced discrimination both from their colleagues and from staff in other organisations. The main culprit organisations were the health service, the police, insurance companies and local authorities. The report for the City of Edinburgh’s community safety unit described the 300 respondents as “an extremely fearful and highly victimised group of people”.
 

A Similar Anti-Gay School / Society Situation In Australia.

Book shows how homophobia starts in the schoolyard (New Release 11/11/99, University of Maryland): "In primary school, boys are likely to be accused of being a poofter if they mix with girls too often, and accused of the same thing in high school if they don't mix with them enough... homophobia peaks in the mid to late teens, with boys in years 8 and 9 reporting that they use the word 'poofter' 25 to 50 times a day. These attitudes, he said, were often an exaggerated expression of heterosexual identity, and thus effected everyone... Boys who aren't targeted by others observe what goes on and make sure they don't do anything that might be considered suspect or that would make them stand out. Masculine behaviours are exaggerated and these lead to all sorts of lifestyle and risk behaviours which endure later in life... At the furthest behaviour extreme were gay-hate murders, with some research suggesting that as many as one in four murders involving strangers in New South Wales over the last 20 years were in some way related to homophobia.

ABC's "Four Corners" - Investigative journalism at its very best - Program Transcript: "Four Corners hears the stories of both the victims and the perpetrators of gay bashing in the north Queensland city of Townsville. Reporter Quentin McDermott also searches for the causes of the prejudice which underlies the violence... In Townsville, north Queensland, being gay can be a hazard to your safety... Basically your run-of-the-mill homophobic taunts, like, 'Faggot, poofter, um -- dung puncher'... But as in much of regional Australia, the police didn't share the community's level of concern about homophobia...

We are now able to prove there is an increase in issues of assaults, vilification and threats against homosexuals... Dangers are faced by gay communities everywhere. A recent study in Victoria reported that 70 per cent of lesbians and gay men had been abused, threatened or bashed in public... Pastor Jacobsen says he condemns violence against gays. But he seems to show little compassion for the intense difficulties faced by young gay people... But it's also a human issue and young people are being driven to harm themselves and even to kill themselves because they're being rejected by certain sections of society and because people are telling them it's wrong and because they're being bashed and violently harmed. Now, don't you accept some responsibility for that?..

Australia has one of the highest rates of male youth suicide in the industrialised world... Sometimes the worst kind of violence visited on gays can end up being the violence they do to themselves. Even high school children are at risk when they face uncontrolled homophobia from their fellow pupils... And it got to the point where I was trying to look for ways to get out of going to school, whether it be, like, you know, trying to cut up my wrists with a razor or trying to take a, you know, handful of this pill, a handful of that pill, or faking some kind of sickness or, you know, purposely falling down the stairs or something like that. I just did not want to go to school... Trust me -- it is a very terrifying experience just admitting to yourself that, yes, I am different...

Dr David Plummer: In many ways, boys who've gone through school and young adulthood who've been subjected to intensive homophobia really are victims of torture, and that, whether it's psychological torture at school by bullies and groups of boys or otherwise, we haven't given enough attention to the marginalisation, isolation, psychological trauma that these young boys have experienced. And isolation is one factor that has been linked fairly clearly into youth suicide and we've got an epidemic of it in modern Australia.

Will ran away to Sydney following an argument with his parents when he was just 14... I was only there two weeks and I was on the streets taking drugs, working on the Wall, which is where all the boys go to prostitute themselves for money... Two years ago her girlfriend died of an overdose... When I first started using I didn't think that - morphine was something that could kill me, you know? And it was just something -- I suppose something to escape from whether I was gay or not. That was an issue, so I just used drugs to forget about it because I just didn't want to think about it... Bruce is another young person who has turned his pain in on himself. In his case, the pain of homophobic abuse as a young gay man and the agony of trying to summon the courage to tell his mother he was gay... In the end, Townsville can't be said to be any more or less homophobic than anywhere else in regional Australia."

Factors influencing the risk of suicide for gay and lesbian people include (NZ Site: Awareness of being gay or lesbian and first sexual experience - Total rejection by family over coming out - Rejection by society - Promiscuity and unsafe sex - Homophobic assaults and cruel taunts.

GLB Suicide Problems Likely in Ireland.

The USL GLBT Mental Health Campaign: ""A recent survey carried out in Northern Ireland showed over ‘one quarter (27.1 per cent) of respondents had attempted suicide and over two thirds (71.3 per cent) of respondents had thought about taking their own life’ (Out on You Own, McNamee). This is a huge problem within the LGBT community and further research and initiatives are needed to help solve the problem."

Study: Suicide rate high for Irish gay teens: "Inside Story January 20, 2004 - Belfast, Northern Ireland | Nearly a third of young lesbian and gay people in Northern Ireland have tried to kill themselves because of ongoing persecution and bullying, according to a new survey. Just over 29 percent of gay respondents to the Department of Education (news - web sites) poll said they had attempted suicide, with as many as 50 percent saying they suffered some sort of bullying regarding their sexuality. Additionally, 26 percent of young people self-harmed as a way of dealing with the pressures they faced regarding their sexuality." -  Boys Don't Cry: How many gay Irish men have taken their lives in the last year? Nobody knows N/A: "The report's findings on the experiences of gay men and women show an increased risk of suicide - though this varies considerably according to individual, social, economic and sociopolitical circumstances... Will Peters of Gay HIV Strategies says: "Personally I believe the rates have always been very high. It is a hard thing to say publicly because of the families who have been bereaved by suicide, but I think that a lot of these young men who are being mourned were gay. And they were gay 20 or 30 years ago." ..."People had plenty of anecdotal evidence. Schools, for example, told us that most bullying manifests itself in homophobia."

The issue of gay youth suicide is noted in the article Young, Queer & Proud!, published in Worker's Solidarity, No. 53. Jan. 1998). A Workers Solidarity Movement position paper titled Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Oppression is also available at the same web site.

The 1995 report - Poverty - Lesbians and Gay Men: The Economic and Social Effects of Discrimination - published by the Combat Poverty Agency, Ireland (ISBN 1 871643 53 8 reports facts possibly implicated in suicide problems. "The study found that 21 per cent of respondents were living in poverty and over half (57 per cent) of respondents said they found it difficult to make ends meet. The findings also outlined clearly the range of effects of harassment and discrimination, and the extent of social exclusion experienced by lesbians and gay men."

Gay Suicide problems (Ireland) N/A: "Ross White, the winner from The Queen's University of Belfast, undertook his research with The Rainbow Project. Together they looked at the incidence of suicide among gay men in Northern Ireland. Both students have now undertaken further study at their respective Universities... Ross's project looked at the relationship between factors associated with a gay lifestyle and attempted suicide. "The number of suicide attempts among the people we spoke to was very high, with some reporting four, five and even nine attempts to take their own life. Thirty-two percent of those who took part in the study had attempted suicide. Although the project stands on its own as a body of work, my involvement with the Rainbow Project and the gay men who participated in the study educated me over and above what can be written in a report. The experience had a profound effect on me and the stories of those I met will stay with me forever."

Growing up as a gay young person in Ireland - so what's the story? - "I feel so trapped and isolated that my life doesn't feel worth living... He attempted suicide by overdosing deliberately on paracetamol. He survived and is lucky to have suffered no long term effects on his health... To pretend the problem of homophobic bullying does not exist as an issue in every school is just naive... The levels of gay youth suicide are alarming and if one looks at these type of situations, is this surprising? A report in Northern Ireland, conducted by the Science Shop - a joint initiative by the University of Ulster and Queen's University - revealed that: "YOUNG gay men are 30 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts." "Some have made as many as nine unsuccessful attempts to kill themselves. About 54 per cent of those interviewed had seriously considered suicide and one in three had attempted suicide. More than half had been bullied at school as a result of being gay." Queen's student Ross White carried out the research for the Rainbow Project, a health organisation for gay and bisexual men. He looked at the relationship between factors associated with a gay lifestyle and attempted suicide. "The number of suicide attempts among the people we spoke to was very high, with some reporting four, five and even nine attempts to take their own life," Mr White said. "Thirty-two per cent of those who took part in the study had attempted suicide." Most of those who tried to kill themselves had taken a drug or alcohol overdose. "Men who had been sexually assaulted or bullied at school were more likely to attempt suicide," Mr White said. "Those who had lost a friend through suicide or who had low self-esteem/high hopelessness were also more likely to try and kill themselves." The Rainbow Project has launched an anti-bullying campaign in the north. Adrian McCracken of the Rainbow Project said: "We knew there was a problem but didn't realise how big it was. "It's particularly high here because a lot of young gay men are not able to come out at school, there are no support services."

2003: Research into the needs of young people in Northern Ireland who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT): N = 362, 14 (4%) = Trannssexual/Transgender, 52 (14%) = Bisexual - Lifetime Suicide Attempt Incidence: Males (28%, N = 232) - Females (30%, N = 130) - TS/TV (64%, N = 14) - Report Download (Word): 1, 2. Download Page.

GLB Suicide Problems in Scotland?

Research highlights: 95 Gay/Bi Males aged 15-26 (Average age = 20.8 years). 28% of respondents had at some point deliberately injured themselves with no suicidal intent. This compares to 2% of men in the general population.. 54% of respondents had seriously considered taking their own life, compared to 13% of men in the general population who have ever considered suicide. 51% of respondents who had previously considered suicide now no longer felt suicidal. However, 15% of respondents still seriously considered suicide at least once a month. 27% of young gay/bisexual men have attempted suicide compared to 4% of the general population. Suicide attempts were most common in those young gay/bisexual men aged 14 to 20. 58% of those who had attempted suicide made only one attempt. 35% had made three or more attempts. 23% made five or more attempts. 54% of respondents who had attempted suicide had at some point deliberately injured themselves without wanting to take their own life.

On the basis of a report on the Equality for All Conference held on June 20th 1997 in Edinburgh City Chambers, the following problems negatively affecting GLB youth - listed in the "youth" section - are similar to the ones negatively affecting their North American counterparts who are at high risk for having suicide problems.

General social and legal discrimination.

Becoming "homeless after coming out to parents." "Parent support - often absent for young LGBT people." "Often when coming out they may face rejection from family and friends, they may need to become independent at an early age and this may lead to financial problems, leading to prostitution and abuse."

Ignorance of GLBT issues in education, and anti-gay abuse by peers ("bullying"). "Gay bashing."

"Lack - a general lack of services for young LGBT people... Support networks - support networks are mostly heterosexist for young people."

"Gay scene - baptism of fire, expensive and predatory... off-putting, exploitative... lack of diversity on the gay scene."

"Prostitution - need for money for living, confirmation of sexuality in absence of school or other support."

"Marginalisation - young people's needs marginalised, high priority on needs of older men especially i.e. fucking."

Summary Excerpt: "The workshop raised a number of issues in terms of interconnections between various areas not noted above: ...Most young LGBT people are not out and so have no access to information, little positive imagery or support networks, this will normally lead to low self-worth, lack of confidence, under achievement, isolation, development of damaging emotional defences, participation in damaging relationships, self-harm, premature independence and associated effects."

Scottish Parliament Scraps Clause 28 (June 2000) N/A.

A Suicide Problem Indicator: Robertson AE (1998). The mental health experiences of gay men: a research study exploring gay men's health needs. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 5(1), 33-40. (A PubMed abstract link)

From the Abstract: A study of 37 gay men reports that they "faced profound social difficulties when coming to terms with their sexuality, a process that can occur throughout their life time." Married gay males were especially at risk and "cited alcohol misuse and depression amongst the effects of this stressful [double] lifestyle."

ScotsGay Magazine has an occasional mention of suicide issues related to a number of situations.

Morrison C, Mackay A (2000). The Experience of Violence and Harassment of Gay Men in the City of Edinburgh. The Scottish Executive Central Research Unit. Internet: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2000/07/6540/File-1 .

McManus, Sally (2003). Sexual Orientation Research Phase 1: A Review of Methodological Approaches (National Centre for Social Research). Internet: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/03/16650/19351 .

‘Towards a Healthier LGBT Scotland’ - new report [October, 2003] on LGBT health in Scotland: (Alternate Link) "The INCLUSION Project, working for LGBT Health, was launched in October 2002, a partnership between Stonewall Scotland, representing Scotland’s LGBT communities and the Scottish Executive Health Department. The project has been gathering available evidence, undertaking new research, co-ordinating demonstration activity and supporting community capacity building, to identify the support needed by local NHS services to better meet the needs of individuals from LGBT communities... 25% of respondents in a Scottish survey of LGBT people had experienced inappropriate advice or treatment due to sexual orientation or gender identity and 24% had experienced homophobic staff... Research investigating the link between suicide and sexual orientation suggests unusually high rates of attempted suicide in the range of 20 – 42%... 75% gay men under 36 yrs have tried drugs compared to 47% general population - 80% lesbians / bi women stated they had been affected by their own drug / alcohol use or someone close to them...For more information please contact: Alastair Pringle, INCLUSION Project Manager, Telephone: 0141 204 0746 - E-mail: alastair@lgbthealthscotland.org.uk .

The Highland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum: Making the LGBT community more visible: Document and Resources.

Conference Report: Policy into Practice - making LGBT equality happen: 25th European Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association
15-19 October 2003 - Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Host: Stonewall - Scotland. Word 97 Download N/A.

Two men in Stirling, Scotland, have killed themselves after being caught on video-tape in a police sting operation at a cruisy toilet in Beechwood Park N/A. 

Bibliography

Carolan F, Redmond S (Youthnet, 2003). ShOut: Research into the Needs of Young People in Northern Ireland Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender (LGBT). Commissioned by the Department of Education. Belfast, Ireland: Youthnet. Internet: http://www.youthnetni.org.uk/youthnet/viewPublication.asp?ID=96 . Research Summary: http://www.youthnetni.org.uk/youthnet/viewPublication.asp?ID=95 .

Carragher DJ, Rivers I (2002). Trying to Hide: A Cross-National Study of Growing Up for Non-Identified Gay and Bisexual Male Youth. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 7(3): 1359–1045.  Sage Abstract.

Cull M, Platzer H, Balloch S (2006). Out On My Own: Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. Brighton & Hove, England: Health and Social Policy Research Centre, Faculty of Health, School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton. Internet: http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/downloads/reports/Out_On_My_Own___full_report.pdf . Research Summary: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/sass/research/reports/LGBT_summary.pdf .

Hutchison C, Porter S, De Voil S (2003). Live to Tell: Finding of a Study of Suicidal Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviours Amongst Young Gay and Bisexual Men in Edinburgh. Scotland: Gay Men’s Health - LGBT Youth Scotland. Internet: http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/portalbase/pages/download.aspx?locationId=550deae3-11c0-46c9-865a-d38510a7ab6f . (Download Page) -  http://www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv/pctherapy.org.uk/wwwroot/USERIMAGES/livetotellpdf.pdf . - Craig Hutchison's Web Site.

King M, McKeown E, Warner J, Ramsay A, Johnson K, Cort C, Wright L, Blizard R, Davidson O (2003). Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales: controlled, cross-sectional study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 183: 552-8. PubMed Abstract. Research Results Summary:  http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BE2B6318-2C0E-4771-86BE-F020D27ED0D0/1044/SummaryfindingsofLGBreport.pdf . Full Text.

McAndrew S, Warne T (2004). Ignoring the evidence dictating the practice: sexual orientation, suicidality and the dichotomy of the mental health nurse. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 11(4): 428-34. PubMed Abstract.

McNamee H (2006). Out on Your Own: An Examination of the Mental Health of Young Same-Sex Attracted Men. Belfast: The Rainbow Project. Internet: http://www.rainbow-project.org/documents/OutonYourOwn.pdf .

Rivers I (2004). Recollections of bullying at school and their long-term implications for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Crisis, 25(4):169-75. PubMed Abstract. 

Warner J, McKeown E, Griffin M, Johnson K, Ramsay A, Cort C, King M (2004). Rates and predictors of mental illness in gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women: Results from a survey based in England and Wales. British Journal of Psychiatry, 185: 479-85. PubMed Abstract. Research Results Summary: http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BE2B6318-2C0E-4771-86BE-F020D27ED0D0/1044/SummaryfindingsofLGBreport.pdf .

Webb, D, Wright D (2001). Count Me In: Findings from the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community needs assessment 2000. Southampton, England: University of Southampton. (Brighton and Hove Region). Research Summary Results: http://www.gaytoz.com/bHealth.asp . Some result: http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/downloads/health/LGBT%20Community%20Strategy%202001%20Health%20Portfolio.pdf . Some Results: http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/downloads/health/Count%20Me%20In%20Action%20ReportJuly06.pdf . Some Survey Questions and Suicidality Results: http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/downloads/health/Count_Me_In_Questions_And_Findings_Mental_Health.pdf .

Comparative Survey of the legal and social situation of homosexuals in Europe (latest edition, 1998). - European GLB Legal/Rights Information.

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