Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer (LGBQ) and transgender/non-binary (trans/NB) adolescents are at increased risk for a number of mental health concerns, sexual risks, and relational violence. However much of the existing literature either conflates sexual orientation and gender identity by combining the two groups into one analytic category or silos sexual orientation and gender identity treating them as separate and unrelated constructs. Using an intersectional analytic approach whereby we create categories of sexual orientation by gender identity (e.g., transgender heterosexual, cisgender LGBQ), we use a representative sample of high school aged youth to examine a number of behavioral health outcomes, sexual experiences, sexual risks, and relational violence to provide a more nuanced pattern of risks so that youth service providers are better prepared to effectively engage LGBQ and trans/NB young people. Across all categories of risk and experiences examined (e.g., depressive symptoms, suicidality, non-suicidal self-injury, age of sexual debut, condom usage, forced sex), we find a wide range of differences in likelihood rates underscoring the importance of using an intersectional approach to understanding the levels of risk facing LGBQ and trans/NB adolescents.