Bullying needs to stop!

I was very impressed this morning as I was driving to school and heard Hot 103 taking a stand for the LGBTIQ youth and saying that the bullying needs to stop! The reason why I was impressed is because peoples attitudes have changed and in the past no one would have ever spoke up for the LGBTIQ. Homosexuality has been seen as a sin, a crime and even a mental illness over the past years ( Ward, 2006). It was in the late nineteenth century that it was classified as a mental illness. The APA classified it as a disorder until 1973 and the World Health Organization until 1991 ( O’ Neil, 2003). It wasn’t until the decriminalization that homosexuality was no longer classified as a mental disorder, and it was because of this change that gay and lesbian people would have the opportunity of having the support needed by the health and social services ( O’ Neil, 2003). Even though Canada has eliminated many legal barriers concerning the LGBTIQ, the LGBTIQ youth still face exclusion, fear and isolation ( Dysart- Gale, 2010).

The LGBTIQ youth are at a much higher risk for mental health disorders and suicide then heterosexuals youth, as they are more likely to be bullied ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). Last month several American teenagers committed suicide because of their sexual orientation. This bullying and suicide can be avoided if health care workers are given the best practices to support the youth ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). We need nurses and doctors to have a positive attitude and show support towards the LGBTIQ youth because many of them are scared of reaching out for help, in the fear that they will experience homophobia and misunderstanding ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). 

With the fear of coming out to friends and family, LGBTIQ youth also have to accept and come to terms with their own sexuality. The vicious circle that LGBTIQ youth encounter often leads to loneliness and isolation which may be the reason the suicide rates are two to 3 times higher than of heterosexual youth ( Grace & Wells, 2009). During this vicious cycle they may have a low self- esteem, suffer from depression, abuse alcohol and drugs, and suffer academically ( Grace & Wells, 2009). I believe that family members play a very important role in the child’s health and need’s to be accepting of their sexual orientation, otherwise they will feel unloved. In fact, 60% of the violence that LGBTIQ encounter is brought upon by family members ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). Obviously kids will feel even more left out and isolated if their family members cannot even accept their sexual orientation.  

Canada has made much progress in eliminating many social barriers that have affected the LGBTIQ and may hopefully influence many other countries to be more accepting of peoples sexual orientation. There are still nine countries in which homosexuality can result in a death penalty and it is still an offense in over forty countries, United States included (O’Neil, 2003). Although there has been changes in the law in Canada there has been a slow change in attitudes and acceptance among conservative social groups ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). I believe it is up to us to make life easier for the LGBTIQ by eliminating the bullying that they face everyday, because even though Canada has accepted homosexuality much more than many other countries, kids are still suffering physical and verbal abuse everyday. No one should suffer and be bullied because of their sexual orientation!

References:

O’Neil, B. (2003). Heterosexism: Shaping social policy in relation to gay men and lesbians. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian social policy: Issues and perspectives (pp. 128- 138). Waterloo, On: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Retrieved from 

Ward, M. (2006). The family beleaguered- when problems come. The family dynamic: a Canadian perspective (pp. 295). Nelson Education Ltd. 

Dysart- Gale, D. (2010). Social justice and social determinants of health: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, and queer youth in Canada. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23 (1), 23-28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier database.

Dysart- Gale,D. (2010, October 12). Nurses critical in assuring health needs of LGBTIG youth. Retrieved from http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-10-nurses-critical-health-lgbtiq-youth.html

Grace, A., & Wells, K. (2009). Gay and bisexual male youth as educator activists and cultural workers: the queer critical praxis of three Canadian high-school students. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 13(1), 23-44. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier database.

Melanie. F