Indigenous youth with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) identities experience high rates of violence, which may lead to harmful outcomes, such as mental health problems and substance abuse.But despite the issues faced by Indigenous LGBTQ2S youth, a recent study suggests reasons for optimism.
Katie Edwards, associate professor, CYFS and educational psychology, and Ramona Herrington, cultural outreach manager at the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory, recently led a project funded by an Office of Research and Development Layman Award to develop and evaluate a communitywide, culturally grounded initiative to prevent violence and reduce health disparities among Indigenous LGBTQ2S youth.
Other researchers involved in the project include Jordan Catlett, clinical therapist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Bridget Diamond-Welch, director of research and innovation, School of Health Sciences, University of South Dakota; Lenny Hayes, founder and director of Tate Topa Consulting; April Matson, outreach coordinator, South Dakota Urban Indian Health; and Char Green Maximo, grant project manager, South Dakota Urban Indian Health.
Several UNL graduate students in Educational Psychology also participated in the research project.
The project was designed to identify the unique challenges and strengths of Lakota LGBTQ2S youth and identify culturally grounded initiatives to support their health and well-being.
Findings suggest that while Lakota LGBTQ2S youth experience a wide range of challenges — including depressive symptoms, alcohol use, trauma, bullying, teen dating violence, internalized homo/bi/transphobia and family rejection — they also possess strength and resilience.
Read more at CEHS.UNL.edu.
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