The Age of Coming Out: If things are so much better, why should we still care?

Tuesday, October 14th

Location: McClellend Park, 650 N. Park Avenue, Room 103

Reception to Follow

 

LGBTQ youth come out at younger ages than ever before, and historic changes in social acceptance of LGBTQ issues and lives has been extraordinary. Yet there has been more attention to homophobia in schools and in youth peer groups, with concerns for LGBTQ youth and their mental health, including suicide.  This is a notable paradox: If things are so much better, why is there so much attention to LGBTQ youth and risk? Join Dr. Stephen Russell as he considers the role of parents and policies for supporting LGBTQ youth – including the ways that each may (or may not) buffer negative experiences among LGBTQ youth. Provocative results suggest a unique role of families and communities in promoting policies to support the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ young people.