United States: LGBT youth are disproportionately in jail

A disproportionate number of queer youth, particular lesbians and bisexual girls, end up in jail or prison in the United States, according to a study released today by researchers at UCLA. Worse, those youth are considerably more likely to be raped during their time in custody.

“The findings support calls by policymakers and advocates for the need to pay attention to the unique needs of LGBT youth in state systems,” says Dr. Bianca D.M. Wilson, lead author on the report, released Tuesday by The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

The study worked on assumptions that 6 to 8 percent of youth and young adults in the general population qualify as sexual minorities, but found that almost 12 percent of youth in state-run and –contracted facilities fall under that same category. The report defines gender minorities as those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual as well as those who “report sexual or romantic attractions to those of the same-sex but do not identify as LGB.”

The report found striking differences in the breakdown of incarcerated boys and girls identified as queer. A survey conducted for the report determined 39.4 percent of girls in juvenile corrections facilities identify as LGB, with an additional 18.5 percent identifying as “mostly straight,” compared to just 3.2 percent of boys who identify as gay or bisexual, with an additional 3.9 percent who self-identify as “mostly straight.” Boys make up a much higher percentage of incarcerated youths. In total, the study found 6.5 percent of all youth in custody identify as LGB, and the number jumps to 11.8 percent when those who describe themselves as “mostly straight” get added to that group.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests nearly 12 of high school girls are lesbian, gay or bisexual compared to 4.5 percent of boys.

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