This book confronts myths about gay and lesbian youth and explores their real experiences of coming out. The research for the book was conducted at the Horizons lesbian and gay social service agency in Chicago, Illinois. Chapter 1 takes a historical look at homosexuality and proposes a new theory of gay and lesbian development to explain a…

Describes general developmental struggles of gay and lesbian adolescents as delineated in recent research. Focuses on three developmental areas: the consolidation of sexual identity and the effects of both parental and peer relationships on gay adolescents' development. Notes weaknesses in current research and theory, and offers suggestions which…

This editorial describes the barriers that exist to carrying out research with gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. It also discusses why it is important to promote research to this group. Describes the articles that address some of the issues related to this population in this volume of the Journal of Adolescence. (MKA)

Part of a special section on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. An annotated bibliography for the special section containing online materials, books, and articles from journals is provided. (GCP)

Suicide rates among older adolescents is a major concern for researchers. A homosexual lifestyle, with its additional stresses, may erode one's adaptive characteristics. This study sought to identify and compare suicidal behavior and adaptive characteristics in homosexual and heterosexual adolescents. Sixty-two individuals were divided into two…

Scientists should reconsider traditional empirical and theoretical paradigms that narrowly define sexual-minority adolescents in terms of those who adopt a culturally defined sexual identity label such as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This will lead to a different understanding of sexual-minority youths than is apparent in most published studies.…

Seven essays by youths ages 14-18 describe their experiences of pain, alienation, and secrecy as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. (SK)

Reviews current theoretical literature with respect to a number of key issues that can help mental health counselors be more aware and more effective in their delivery of services to gay or lesbian adolescents. Highlights etiological, developmental, treatment, and resource issues and provides suggestions for future research. (Author/NB)

Describes and evaluates a workshop developed to enhance the expertise of service providers who work with gay and lesbian adolescents. (Author)

Notes that gay and lesbian adolescents face numerous difficulties that require social support and intervention. Examines issues pertinent to social work with lesbian and gay adolescents in context of three main social institutions: family, social culture, and educational setting. Makes a number of suggestions for improving intervention with this…

States that schools have legal and ethical responsibilities for creating educational environments in which all students can learn free of harassment. Presents a summary of information provided to educators by the Gay and Lesbian Education Commission of Los Angeles. Includes specific examples of harassing behavior and terminology relevant to…

Reviews the research indicating the incidence rates and specific suicide risks for suicide in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning (GLBQ) adolescent population. Presents an ecological model of suicide risk assessment for GLBQ youth. The model is based on Bronfenbrenner's model of human development and argues for individual, micro, and macro…

The prevalence of suicidality among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth is considerably higher than the reported rates for heterosexual youth. The strongest predictors for suicidality among all youth are substance abuse; victimization; social isolation; and exposure to suicide attempts or completion among family members. Homosexual and bisexual youth…

Proposes visibility management as a key construct in gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) identity development. Visibility management refers to the dynamic, ongoing process by which GLB youth make careful, planned decisions about whether they will disclose their sexual orientation, to whom and how they disclose, and how they continue to monitor the…

Investigates risk factors associated with internalizing and externalizing problems among 169 gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Data were gathered on individual, family, and community risk factors and youths' mental health and behavioral functioning. Results suggest that adolescents should be carefully assessed for concerns related and not…