"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Black LGBTQ youth’s identification with multiple marginalized identities might make them more susceptible to negative experiences and decreased mental health. Both LGBTQ youth and Black youth report higher rates of poor mental health due to chronic stress stemming from the marginalized social status they have in U.S. society. However, very little research has quantitatively explored outcomes specific to Black LGBTQ youth. This report utilizes an intersectional lens to contribute to our understanding of the Black LGBTQ youth experience among a national sample of over 2,500 Black LGBTQ youth by highlighting and building upon many of the findings released from The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2020 as they relate to Black LGBTQ youth.

There is significant diversity within the Black LGBTQ youth community.

• 31% of Black LGBTQ youth identified as gay or lesbian, 35% as bisexual, 20% as pansexual, and 9% as queer
• One in three Black LGBTQ youth identified as transgender or nonbinary
• More than 1 in 4 Black LGBTQ youth use pronouns or pronoun combinations that fall outside of the binary construction of gender

Black LGBTQ youth often report mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation.

• 44% of Black LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months, including 59% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth
• 55% of Black LGBTQ youth reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in the past two weeks, including 70% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth
• 63% of Black LGBTQ youth report symptoms of major depressive disorder including 71% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth
• Self-harm was reported in 44% of Black LGBTQ youth, including 61% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth
• 49% of Black LGBTQ youth reported wanting psychological or emotional counseling from a mental health professional in the past 12 months, but not being able to get it

Our research identified many risk factors for Black LGBTQ youth mental health.

• 9% of Black LGBTQ youth reported having undergone conversion therapy, with 82% reporting it happened before age 18
• 35% of Black LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away
• 38% of Black LGBTQ youth reported discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
• 52% of Black LGBTQ youth reported discrimination based on their race or ethnicity
• 17% of Black LGBTQ youth reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their LGBTQ identity
• 25% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their gender identity

Our research also identified high impact protective factors for Black LGBTQ youth.

• 82% of Black LGBTQ youth reported at least one supportive person in their life
• Black transgender and nonbinary youth who reported high family support had lower rates of attempted suicide
• 82% of Black LGBTQ youth report access to at least one in-person LGBTQ-affirming space.
• Black youth who had access to at least one LGBTQ-affirming space attempted suicide at 50% lower rates compared to Black LGBTQ youth without access."