A qualitative examination of adolescent homosexuals' life experiences: ramifications for secondary school personnel

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine life experiences of homosexual youths in regard to selected topics of relevance to high school personnel. An open-ended questionnaire was given to 120 homosexual youths (14 to 21 years of age), 89 males and 31 females. Approximately one third of the students claimed they knew they were homosexual between the ages of four and ten, with equal numbers aware of their sexual orientation 11-13 years of age and 14-17 years of age. Forty-two percent of the females and 30% of the males indicated that their families responded in a negative manner toward them because of their sexual orientation. Only about one fourth of the students claimed they were able to talk with school counselors about the issue. Half of the students claimed that homosexuality had been discussed in their classes and 50% of the females and 37% of the males claimed it was handled negatively. Less than one in five students could identify someone who had been supportive of them. Further information is reported regarding the challenges schools will need to address to play a role in reducing the stresses faced by a significant minority population of at risk youths.