Exploring Risk Behavior Gaps: A Comparison of Students Identifying Heterosexual and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Please see our recent report that uses YRBS data to highlight the continued disparities among heterosexual/straight-identified students and LGB-identified students, even if the behaviors improve overall. It is important to remember that higher rates of health disparities are not inherent to LGB students but are attributable to systemic inequalities.
Since 2013, the SDUSD YRBS has asked students their sexual orientation, sex of sexual partners (if they have had sexual intercourse), and how feminine or masculine they are perceived to be. Correlation reports show clear linkages between students who identify as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB), who have had sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex, or who are gender expansive and increased risk behaviors in every category of the survey. Please see these reports below.
Research shows that LGB and gender expansive youth often suffer from disparate rates of bullying and harassment, depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy. This increased risk is often the result of, and in reaction to, negative environmental stressors that LGB and gender non-conforming youth face in their schools, homes, and communities. Recent research also shows that youth suffering from such health risks are at greater academic risk than other youth. Please see this report from Advocates for youth for more details: Exploring How Disparities in Experiences of Violence and Substance Use Between Transgender and Cisgender Students Differ by Gender Expression.
Studies indicate that programs--including those that attempt to remedy homophobia and transphobia, promote inclusive education, and foster safety at school for LGB and gender expansive youth--can help these young people remain healthy and successful in school. Because of the complex relationship between sexual orientation and gender identity, especially for youth enduring bullying and harassment in school, it is imperative that school programs address these issues within their campuses and communities. In addition to continuing to include these sexual orientation questions on the YRBS, SDUSD has also included a transgender identity question since 2017 so that we can use this additional data to specifically support our transgender youth.
2023 Reports
2021 Reports
2019 Reports
2017 Reports
2015 Reports
2013 Reports