But first, some terminology basics: gender identity refers to a person’s sense of being male (a man or boy), female (a woman or girl), or other gender (e.g., transgender, bigender, or gender queer – a rejection of the traditional binary classification of gender). Gender minorities are individuals who identify as a gender incongruent with their biological sex. Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual or romantic desires for, and relationships with, people of the other sex (heterosexual), one’s same sex (homosexual), or both sexes (bisexual). Sexual minorities include individuals who identify as something other than heterosexual. Collectively, the moniker LGBTQ is used to describe individuals who comprise these groups (sexual and gender minorities). However, it is important to recognize that these groups are not homogenous.

5 Things to Know about LGBTQ Youth – Click on this link to learn more about the five needs below from Child Trends.

LGBTQ youth benefit from supportive family and friends.

Support at school benefits all youth.

Without a supportive network, adolescence can be difficult for these youth.

Data collection about LGBTQ youth is getting better.

We need more, and more-nuanced, research about LGBTQ youth.