LGBTQ Youth Issues:Humboldt Park

Alana AzizJenny ByelickAshley DyerElena GrossmanSara Lake

Overview Introduction to LGBTQ Limitations Assessment Methods Analytical Approach Findings: Emerging Themes Forces and Trends Suggestions

LGBTQ Introduction

L: Lesbian

G : Gay

B: Bisexual

T: Transgender

Q: Queer or Questioning

Estimated LGBTQ Population

5-10% of the population– How do we measure youth?

What are we trying to measure?– Persons self-identifying as LGBTQ– Persons defined by:

• Behavior• Attraction

Demographics of Humboldt Park

Race/Ethnicity PercentageHispanic 48Asian .4Black 47.4White 3.3Other .3Multiple .6

Health Status Index Series Vol XVI No V, pg. 55

Latino LGBTQ in the US

Of all Latino Same-Sex Couples:– 45% Mexican– 9% Puerto Rican

Negron-Muntaner, Frances and Antonio (Jay) Patrana Jr. (2010). Ahora: The Stateof the LGBT Latino Communities. Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Public Health Significance:LGBTQ Youth in Humboldt Park

Known marginalizedpopulation

Sexual and racialminorities

Proven healthdisparities

Presence ofpopulation

Images from QueerProm

Limitations in Data Collection LGBTQ data not collected in US Census

information Reliance on estimates Difficulties in identifying LGBTQ (attraction,

sexual behaviors, freedom of expression) Focus on health issues mainly around

HIV/AIDS, restricted to gay/bisexual malelevel data

Unit of analysis: Lacking community leveldata

Methods Existing secondary data sources Windshield assessments Key informant interviews Partnership high school survey (n=9) Participant observation

– informal interviews Community mapping

Quantitative Data

NAME OF STUDY # OF PARTICIPANTS (N)

Proyecto Latina(Amigas Latinas Survey) N=300

2007 US Youth Risk Behavior(YRBSS) N=14,041

2007 Chicago Youth Risk Behavior(CPS YRBSS)

N= 1,118Heterosexual =951

Bisexual=46Gay/Lesbian=32Questioning= 37

Proyecto Latina Results

Proyecto Latina Results cont.

National vs. Chicago YRBSS

CPS students reported they were lesslikely to:– Drink alcohol and drive a vehicle– Smoke or use tobacco products– Use alcohol or drugs before intercourse

National vs. Chicago YRBSS cont.

Students in Chicago Public Schools(CPS) reported they are more likely to:– Not attend school due to safety concerns– Be threatened with a weapon– Be injured in a physical fight– Be physically forced to engage in sexual

intercourse

Leading Causes of DeathAges 15-24 for Chicago 2004

RANK HISPANIC MEXICAN PUERTO RICANNON-HISPANIC

BLACK ALL GROUPS

1 Homicide (54) Homicide (9) Homicide (9) Homicide (184) Homicide (253)

2 Accidents (25) Accidents (21) Accidents (3) Accidents (52) Accidents (119)

3 Suicide (5) Suicide (4) Suicide (1)Heart Disease

(14)Heart Disease

(20)

4 Cancer (4) Cancer (3) * Suicide (8) Suicide (16)

5 Heart Disease (2) Heart Disease (2) * Cancer (6) Cancer (13)

6 Tuberculosis (1)Influenza &

Pneumonia (1) *Chr. Lwr. Resp

Dis (5)Chr. Lwr. Resp.

Dis (6)

7 Influenza & Pneumonia (1)Congenital

Abnormalities (1) *Influenza &

Pneumonia (3)Influenza &Pneumonia

8Congenital Abnormalities

(1) * * Septicemia (2)Congenital

Abnormalities (3)

9 * * * HIV (2) Septicemia (2)

10 * * * Diabetes (2) HIV (2)

Bocskay KA, Harper DM, Thomas SD.Hlth Index Series: Vol. XV No. IVChicago, IL:CDPH, Dept. of Epidemiology, 2005.

Chicago YRBSS: Demographics Stratified by Sexual Orientation

Chicago YRBSS 2009; compiled by Child Health Data Lab, Children's Memorial Hospital

Chicago YRBSS Results:Stratified by Sexual Orientation

Chicago YRBSS Cont.:Stratified by Sexual Orientation

STIs and HIV/AIDS

CDPH, Community Health Inventory 2004,

STIs and HIV/AIDS cont.

CDPH, Dept of Epidemiology, Office of HIV/AIDS Surveillance

Community Map 1 of 5

Community Map 2 of 5

Community Map 3 of 5

Community Map 4 of 5

Community Map 5 of 5

Qualitative Methods

Participant Observation with focus group atpartnership high school LGBTQ group

(n = 5-9) Survey given to partnership high school group Key Informant Interviews (n = 7)

– 6 Community leaders and 1 medical provider Windshield Assessment

Partnership High School:LGBTQ Group Findings School-wide survey (106 students)

– 88 straight– 7 gay/lesbian– 9 bisexual– 0 transgender– 2 unsure

Partnership high school group:– Participatory research

• attended 7 group meetings– Surveys (n=9)

Class met twice a week:– ~ 7 members from partner school– Majority identified as bisexual or lesbian,

mostly young women

LGBTQ Identify Issues Perceived perceptions:

– Women– Latina women ALL NEGATIVE– LGBTQ

Community, peer and family issues with sexuality:– Often negative, not accepting– Passive acceptance

Issues of identity – “need” to label oneself based onsexuality:– Different perceptions/beliefs within LGBTQ community– Lack of support for bisexuality even within LGBTQ

community

Educational Activities Local HIV/AIDS organization conducted a sexual

education session for the group– Shared a variety of contraceptive /safe sex materials (condoms,

female condoms, dental dams)– Allowed time for students to discuss, share and ask questions,

safe, open and comfortable setting– Reported little sexual education regarding HIV/AIDS and STI’s prior

to session

Created handouts regarding health issues among LGBTQindividuals– smoking, mental health issues, access to care, etc.

Importance on acceptance and respect- Reaching straight peers- Understanding challenges people face in coming out and feelingcomfortable in their community

Advocacy Students prepared for annual ‘Day of Silence’ event

– Dedicated to hate crime victim Jorge Lopez Mercado– Raised awareness about anti-LGBTQ bullying and

harassment in schools– Created posters, handouts, announcements and

ribbons for the event– Shared information on bullying and hate crime

statistics in U.S., Chicago and Puerto Rico

Survey Results

Survey: Bullying

5 out of 9 felt it was an issue 4 out of 9 had personal experience with

anti-LGBTQ bullying/harassment 7 out of 9 had seen someone bullied

Forms of bullying– Name-calling– Unnecessary comments– Harassment/comments

Survey: Places in the community for LGBTQPlaces students feltcomfortable being openlyLGBTQ:

• Home• School• Downtown• Personal room• The park• Street• Best friend’s home• Partner’s home• Neighborhoods in city• Local cafe

Places students feltunwelcome:

• Home• Library• Some family’s homes• Church• Restaurants• Shoe stores• Places with men (ie: bballcourt)• Museums with kids• Hospitals• Barber shop• Local activities/events

LGBTQ Support Group at PartnershipHigh School

5 of 9 stated it was very important tohave time to learn about LGBTQ issuesand share feelings/thoughts

7 of 8 felt class was very important

7 of 8 felt class important to help thembetter understand and be proud ofthemselves

Key Informant Interviews: Pridein Identity Embracing sexual

identity– “I’m a queer Puerto

Rican y que!” Family

– Source of pride andanguish

Heritage– Source of pride and

adversity

Mural in Humboldt Park

Key Informant Interviews:Environment in Humboldt Park LGBTQ Presence

– Pioneers pave path forsafety and acceptance

– Role models– Paseo Boricua Pageant:

“Cacica Queen”– Boricua Pride– New homeless shelter– New social/educational

program

Homophobia– “Fag to Fag”– “Get boys to work for

them and they come outas little girls.”

– “You deserved it (HIVpositive) for sleepingwith men.”

– “You’re a man! You’rea man! You’re a man!”

– “There is much violencein this neighborhood,some gay related.”

Key Informant Interviews: CommunityBuilding and Recognition Preventing appointment

of perceivedhomophobic Alderman

Boricua Pride fundraiserat Institute of PuertoRican Art and Culture

Boricua Pride Vigil for Jorge Steven

Lopez Mercado

Participant during the vigil for Jorge StevenLopez Mercado

Key Informant Interviews: ServicesNeeded for LGBTQ Youth Drop-in Centers – “Out and Proud” A community center Transgender focused organizations Organizations without HIV/AIDS association Sexual & reproductive health for LGBTQ

Youth participating in a fundraiser for Ambiente del Paseo’s new campaign, “Mas Color, Mas Poder,” whichwas launched to raise awareness of homophobia and transphobia in Humboldt Park. La Voz del PaseoBoricua, June 6, 2008.

Analytical Approach Mixed methods: identifying relationships Quantitative

– secondary: data statistics– primary: mapping, survey information

Qualitative – primary: interviewing,observation– ATLAS.ti®

Emerging Themes

Theme #1: Social Networks

Theme #2: Identity

Identity

Perceptions

Culture,Gender, andOrientation

More Youth ‘Out’and Comfortable

Identity is integral inunderstanding LGBTQ youth.

Theme #3: Access to Resources

Access to Care& Resources

SocialNetworks

PowerDynamics

Limited Outletsfor Activity

Access to care and resources forLGBTQ youth are slow to gain.

Theme #4: Health Needs

Health Needs

OrganizationsEmphasize Needs

in Services

SocialSupport

Potentiality forRisky

Behaviors

Health needs for LGBTQ youthinclude greater education, focusing

on sexual behaviors and mentalhealth.

Forces and Trends

Chicago Public SchoolClosures on the West side

Economic Recession Anti-Violence Resolution National Battle --> Same Sex

Marriage Immigration/Migration Latino Unification Generational Transition IL SB 3266--Illinois Prevent

School Violence Act

Crowned Cacica Queen of 2008

Suggestions Promote ongoing efforts of in-place community

programs Increase data collection Enumerate the LGBTQ population Educate providers Create additional housing and social services Maintain and expand a comprehensive list of

resources Advocate for LGBTQ policy Destigmatize mental health Build more LGBTQ networking among the youth

Thank You

Dr. Virgina Bishop Evette Cardona Judy Diaz Miguel Garcia David Fischer Gentrification

Group

Zenaida Lopez Edward Negron Mona Noriega Aurora Pineda Janeida Rivera Shannon Sullivan

LGBTQ Support GroupPedro Albizo Campos High School