The YRBS team has worked closely with the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland to create this report.
Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) youth represent a large portion of Cuyahoga County high school students. SGM youth are less likely to than their peers to report high levels of protective factors associated with positive health behaviors and reduced risk behavior engagement. Without these protective factors, SGM youth are more likely to engage in risk behaviors such as substance use, experience or engage in violence, experience depressive symptoms and suicide-related behaviors, as well as experience resource deprivation. They are also less likely to engage in positive health behaviors. Additionally, Trans youth are most vulnerable and are more likely to report negative experiences and risk behaviors than their SGM peers and non-SGM students.
For questions or more information, please contact Jean Frank at jlf16@gmail.com.