Discrimination: How can I heal if I am identified as a Gay or Lesbian Youth?

Angela M. Tindall
Uo9a1-Prevention Program Proposal
SHB-8315
December 14, 2014

Dr. Brenda Lohman
Capella University
Table of Contents
I. Problem Statement
II. Target Population
III. Community Needs
IV. Risk Factors
A. Protective Factors
V. Desired Results
A. Outputs
B. Outcomes
C. Impacts
VI. Influential Factors
VII. Strategies
VIII. Assumptions
IX. Statement of Need
X. Literature Review
XI. Logic Model
A. Incidence Reduction
B. Stakeholders Analysis
C. Formative Evaluation
D. Summative Evaluation
XII. Staffing Infrastructure
XIII. Budget
XIV. Executive Summary
XV. References

Problem Statement
Discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals has been around for decades. This sensitive population has experienced various dimensions of minority stress due to their sexual orientation, internalizing negative societal attitudes about non-heterosexuality, and their expectations of rejection because of their sexual orientation (Newcomb & Mustanski, 2010). Today, we have many youth that have decided to come out of closet, and have been shunned by their families and peers. Many have turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with their feelings of rejection. On the other hand, many of our youth indulge in risky sexual behaviors that put them at a great risk for sexuality transmitted diseases and even suicide ideation.
Target Population
The target population will be adolescents who range between the ages of 11 to 17. Adolescents who identify as gay or lesbians face many conflicts, which can occur in the home, at school, or even just existing in society as a whole. Many are faced with adversity within society due to heterosexuality and oppression due to their sexual orientation and their open expressions of their chosen lifestyle. Society has shown that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism all postulate adversely in the gay or lesbians mental, spiritual, emotional and physical well-being, and are manifested by the high rates of suicide, victimization, substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviors (Lewis, Derlega, Clarke, & Kuang, 2006).
Many adolescents have experienced the affects of the term transphobia. The term transphobia is defined as emotional loathing, fear of the unknown, anger toward, or profound discomfort felt towards an individual who does not conform to social society’s gender qualifications (Ryan, 2009). Research conducted by Heinze & Horn (2009) stated that sexuality is flowing and influenced by a sequence of socio-cultural and biological factors, that have also proven that children by the young age of three can recognize gender and by the age of five they can also recognize gender relevant behavior. Therefore, many adolescents when questioned have stated that they were aware of their same sex attraction before puberty, but were afraid to tell anyone how they truly felt (Dude & Savin-Williams, 1999).
Community Needs
The proposed prevention program will address discrimination projected at youth’s who identify with being gay or lesbian in their communities. When discrimination occurs in the community, it produces stress, physical and psychological issues. Lewis, Delega, Clarke, & Kuang (2006) article addressed how discrimination of one’s sexual identity is stigmatization toward their social status. Discrimination of gay or lesbian youth can also produce substance use problems, suicidal acts, violent victimization along with risky sexual behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection, and significant rates of school dropout (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014).
Risk Factors In communities, there are five factors that prohibit resilience within the lesbian or gay youth. Russell, Bohan, McCarroll, & Smith (2011) stated that the lesbian or gay youth often experience homophobia, divisions’ within their own communities; inability to make sense of danger; family failure of support for sexual