Forced outing policies increase risks of major depression in LGBTQ+ youth

[Jessica_Rose]

Forced outing policies increase risks of major depression in LGBTQ+ youth

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/forced-outing-policies-increase-risks-of-major-depression-in-lgbtq-youth/ar-AA1nBG4l?ocid=windirect&cvid=7af0832170c74051927791f0c1b1ca26&ei=38

Story by Molly Sprayregen (24 April 2024)

States and school boards continue to debate and pass policies requiring school administrators to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents, and new research shows why doing so is a bad idea.

A study from the University of Connecticut found that a third of youth who were forcibly outed had a greater likelihood of experiencing major depression as well as low family support. Additionally, more than 65% of youth said being forcibly outed was "highly stressful."

Trans youth reported feeling the most amount of stress compared to cisgender gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. The study also found that kids with parents who were well-educated in LGBTQ+ issues experienced less stress even after being forcibly outed.

"I think parents and caregivers who are very supportive should make that known," McCauley said. "And I think once they make their support known that kid will pick up on that... that can really make the disclosure process much easier for a lot of kids."

"Students do in fact have a constitutional right to privacy," said ACLU spokesperson Gillian Branstetter in the wake of the new study. "It's not about subverting the parents' will. It's about protecting the young people who face very real, very great risks."