According to research in psychology and gender studies, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are coming out earlier than they did in previous decades. Although decisions to come out in high school may reflect greater societal acceptance of gender diversity, LGBTQ youth still face considerable challenges, including having a higher risk for drug use, depression, sexual abuse, and homelessness. This seminar will focus on current research on topics such as transgender identities, the coming out process, queer theory, sex education, and approaches to supporting gender-diverse youth.
Instructor: Beth Haines, associate professor of psychology, Lawrence University