Every month is Pride Month
Every June, Pride Month allows us to celebrate and support the LGBTQ2IA+ community. At the HOPE National Resource Center (NRC), we join this month-long dedication with resources, research, and more that advocate for LGBTQ2IA+ children and youth’s access to positive childhood experiences (PCEs). PCEs are necessary experiences that help children grow into healthy, resilient adults. All children need PCEs including gender minority children and youth. The HOPE NRC works year-long to support a movement centered around equitable access to positive experiences for all children.
Promoting PCEs for the LGBTQ2IA+ community
Historically, federal and local policies have caused adversity and discrimination toward the LGBTQ2IA+ community. This often resulted in harmful environments reducing or blocking gender minority people’s access to positive childhood experiences leading to negative health outcomes. The Trevor Project reported that 28% of LGBTQ2IA+ youth experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives and were two to four times more likely to report depression, anxiety, self-harm, considering suicide, and attempting suicide compared to youth with stable housing. In two recent HOPE NRC research publications, we found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults were less likely to report PCEs than heterosexual adults.
Deliberate actions needed to increase PCEs
We need to create intentional opportunities that promote positive childhood experiences for the LGBTQ2IA+ community. When given stable and safe environments to grow and learn – one of the Four Building Blocks of HOPE that highlight the key types of PCEs – children and youth can express their authentic selves. This allows them to build resilience against stress, including those caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences, leading to better health outcomes into adulthood.
Resources on supporting the LGBTQ2IA+ community
LGBTQ2IA+ Toolkits
The HOPE National Resource Center partnered with the Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma to create three tool kits on supporting LGBTQ2IA+ youth. Each toolkit highlights a different audience (community-based organizations, educators, healthcare providers) and includes a quick introduction to terminology, ACEs, PCEs, and how to build resilience.
- A Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations
- A Toolkit for Educators
- A Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
HOPE Fact Sheets
- Promoting PCEs for Children and Youth who are Transgender or Non-binary
- Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences in LGBTQ+ Families
HOPE Research Publications
- Prevalence of Positive Childhood Experiences Among Adults — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Four States, 2015–2021
- Protective Factors Associated with Reduced Substance Use and Depression Among Gender Minority Teens
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. If you know someone who is struggling with their mental health, looking for more information, or are in need of tools to help other, the Trevor Project can help.
