Iowa Report: LGBT students more likely to be suicidal and harassed than their Straight Peers

According to a new report, LGBT students are more likely to be suicidal and harassed than straight studens.

The first-ever College Climate Survey given to volunteers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are 25 percent more likely to have thoughts of suicide, and 44 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students said they have been harassed.

“I think it’s disturbing what some of the results from the survey were,” said Joshua Merritt, a University of Iowa senior and outreach coordinator.

Members said harassment may be the reason an estimated four in 10 gay students haven’t told anyone about their sexual orientation yet.

“It’s so surprising in this day and age when we’re still dealing with discrimination,” Boatwright said.
Founded in 2003, the Iowa Pride Network works with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight allied students to fight homophobia and transphobia in pursuit of equal treatment.

“For me, the survey isn’t about being gay, it’s about everyone being treated equally,” said Sarah Mowitz, a Des Moines Roosevelt High senior and first-year member of the Iowa Pride Network.

Please read the full report, here