Estimated Population of
Lesbians/Gays in Bay Area
Accepted Estimate of
Lesbians/Gays in General Population
Anti-Gay Violence
Reported Attacks On Gays
Crime & Harassment Targeting Gays
Percent of Teenage Suicides Committed
by Lesbian & Gay Youth
Trends in Anti-Gay Youth
Barriers To Meeting Needs Resulting From
Homophobia, Heterosexism & Discrimination
(Actual & Perceived) |
15% to 25%
10% to 20%
45,000 90,000 in San Mateo County
|
552,989 to 737,318
persons
Debate
2% to 4% versus
10% to 29% or
12,992 to 25,985
versus 64692 to
129,925 persons in
San Mateo
|
- Characteristics of the lesbian and gay population are as
diverse as the general population. The prevalence of homophobia, heterosexism, and
discrimination (actual and received), however, has created barriers to meeting basic
needs and achieving equal rights and has resulted in issues which are unique to the
lesbian and gay men population.
- An orientation which is continually invalidated by
institutions can lead to strained or no relations with friends, family and co-workers;
harassment from the public; guarded behaviors, difficult in identifying and building
community support; and low self esteem. Youth and closeted lesbians and gay men may be
particularly isolated and alienated from support systems. The process of "coming
out" is generally for all at this time, because of AIDS.
- Gay and Lesbian youth are 2-3 times more likely to attempt
suicide than their peers.
- Elderly lesbians and gay men are ignored by services and
health policies that fail to acknowledge their existence and relationships.
|