Cuyahoga Community CollegeFor LGBTQ+
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) population has increased risk factors for suicidal thinking and behavior, including: social stigma; conflict with others regarding sexuality and/or gender identity and expression; increased bullying, abuse, and violence; being kicked out of the family and/or religious institution; and homelessness, to name a few. According to the Centers for Disease Control (2016), lesbian, gay, and bisexual identifying youth attempt suicide four times more frequently, and questioning youth twice as often, as straight identifying peers. In 2015, a survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality found 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt, and 92% of the attempts were before age 25.
A variety of LGBTQ+ specific help is available below, as well as ways for the LGBTQ+ community to get involved. The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland ("The Center"), PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and TransFamily are a few of the many local organizations that support LGBTQ+ folks and allies with healthy educational, social, and personal growth opportunities.