Thread by @TYP_VA

🏳️‍🌈Lets discuss one of todays most sensitive topics. The LGBTQ+ community in the United States of America.

🌈More specifically, what it means to be a LGBTQ+ young adult in the US and the threats faced.

🚨Trigger Warning!

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#LGBT #USA #LGBTIQ #LGBTQIA #Pride #America

🔺Recent years in America we have seen a drastic uptick in policies, laws, and propaganda targeting our fellow LGBTQ+ citizens.

• Florida “Don’t Say Gay Bill”
• Attacks on LGBTQ+ teachers
• Attacks on drag shows
• Books and Movie Banning
• Etc.
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🔺In the United States 7.1% of adults identify as LGBTQ+. However, when looking at younger generations you see that percentage increase.

🔺Generation Z (10-25 years old) the percentage jumps up to 21% who identify LGBTQ+.

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♦️Statistics You May Not Know♦️

• Nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously consider suicide in the last year (2021)
• 1 in 5 non-binary and transgender youth attempt suicide
• 78% of LGBTQ+ youth experience anxiety
• 58% of LGBTQ+ youth experience depression

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🛑How does that compare to cisgender youth you may ask.

• About 20% of cisgender teenagers and young adults experience depression or anxiety symptoms

That is a 38% increase in depression and a 58% increase in anxiety when comparing LGBTQ+ youth to cisgender youth.

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🛑What could possibly be the reason for the increase in suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts?

🔺60% of LGBTQ+ youth reported not having an affirming household
🔺42% of LGBTQ+ youth reported living in a community that is not accepting

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🔺60% of LGBTQ+ youth sought out mental health services and couldn’t obtain it

♦️The LGBTQ+ youth and young adults have been the target of despicable, dangerous behavior by US Conservatives

The fear mongering has worked and created a hostile America for LGBTQ+ Americans

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especially in k-12 schools.

🔺We have seen people such as @tedcruz @libsoftiktok and @laurenboebert attack LGBTQ+ teachers, librarians, and teachers for providing a safe place for all students.

🔺 Why are schools so important when it comes to LGBTQA+ youth?

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🔺When homes aren’t accepting many look at school as a safe place to be themselves.

♦️The average age of first realization an individual is LGBTQ+ is 14, 16, and 18 years old. This is also the mean age for first suicidal ideation or planning

🔺Allowing LGBTQ+ teachers

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and staff members to openly be themselves allows the students to feel accepted and see someone like themselves being a part of society.

🔺Having representation allows students to feel like they aren’t wrong for being who they are. Decreasing suicidal ideation.

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🔺Not only have we seen the Right come after LGBTQ+ educators and community members. We have also seen them attack other
representations such as in books and movies

♦️In the state of Virginia, Va State Delegate Tim Anderson filed a lawsuit in Virginia Beach to have LGBTQ+

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Books pulled from school libraries and ban PRIVATE BOOKSELLERS from selling these books to people under 18.

🔺The two books under scrutiny are “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe & “A Court of Mist & Fury” by Sarah J Maas

♦️Not only have these books been exceptional for

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LGBTQ+ youth and understanding there sexuality but have also won numerous awards for story telling and writing

🛑If that doesn’t bother you, even though it really should, look at it this way.

🔺Virginia republicans are telling a private company, Barnes & Noble, that it
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Cannot sell a certain book. See the problem? Isn’t this America Home of the Free?

🔺Majority of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults don’t feel accepted in their communities or own homes, the right is making it impossible to be safe in schools, no representation in Hollywood or

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On bookshelves, majority of LGBTQ+ youth couldn’t receive mental health services.

♦️If you open your eyes you can easily see why the suicide rates are so high among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

❤️We will fight for a world in where everyone is accepted.

❤️Everyone.

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