Arizona groups offer health, housing help to LGBT youth

Lauren Castle | The Republic | azcentral.com

Show Caption Hide Caption What does LGBTQIA mean? Most of us know what LGBT means. But what are the extra letters at the end of the acronym?

Eight percent of Arizona's children identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, according to advocates.

But nearly half of the youth struggling with homelessness in Arizona are LGBT. And LGBT adolescents are more likely to battle depression, deal with bullying or seriously consider suicide.

There are few resources available to LGBT youth in Arizona's schools. State law makes it illegal for public district or charter schools to provide any information that "promotes a homosexual lifestyle," "portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style" or "suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex."

LGBT-rights advocates say this law prevents youth from understanding the health concerns affecting them.

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"A lot of students feel shame," said Tayler Tucker, media relations specialist for Planned Parenthood of Arizona.

To combat that, a variety of organizations are stepping in to help LGBT youth, particularly those who lack health insurance or support from their parents.

Here's a list of resources available to LGBT youth in the Phoenix area:

Gender identity

Phoenix Children's Hospital's adolescent medicine department provides many services to LGBT youth.

The department's gender management program provides outpatient services to help individuals and their families with gender identity development. The program serves gender non-conforming youth, gender questioning youth and transgender youth.

Families can find services for consultation about medication, hormonal therapy, support groups, referrals, training and education. Information on the program can be found by calling 602-933-0659.

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Health services

The hospital's Health Project, also known as the Crews'n Healthmobile, provides services to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth age 24 and younger. Many youth that use the project's services lack health insurance.

"We have medical services that are accessible to the LGBT population across economical backgrounds," said Dr. Vinny Chulani, who leads Phoenix Children's Hospital's adolescent medicine program.

The mobile works with one.n.ten to provide exams, immunizations, referrals and more. Staff educate youth on issues concerning sexually-transmitted diseases, HIV, depression, mood disorders, suicide risk, pregnancy, nutrition and other health issues.

The Crew'n Healthmobile is parked at Phoenix's Parsons Center, 1101 N. Central Ave., every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. Information on services can be found by contacting 602-933-9339.

"Youth, but especially minority or disenfranchised youth, feel more comfortable accessing services where they will be treated fairly," said Gina Read, program coordinator for one.n.ten.

The group also provides social and service programs for the LBGT community. Information on the organization can be found at its website, onenten.org or by calling 602-400-2601, ext. 1.

Planned Parenthood provides PEP and PrEP services, which can help lower the risk of contracting HIV. Someone can take PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) pills if they were exposed to HIV in order to lower the risk of getting the illness. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV.

"Health care is a human right. It is a human issue," Tucker said. "Everyone deserves to have a healthy and happy life."

Support at school

Chulani said a lot of progress has been made for the LGBT community. However, it is not enough.

"Even in Arizona, there's a lot of work that needs to be done, especially in our schools," Chulani said.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2007-2017 Youth Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report, LGBT youth are more at risk of being bullied or feeling unsafe at school than heterosexual teens.

In 2017, 33 percent of lesbian, gay or bisexual teens and 24.3 percent of teens who were not sure of their sexual identity were bullied at school, compared with 17.1 percent of heterosexual teens nationally.

"We definitely see a high rate of bullying in our schools," Chulani said.

He said students often face hostile school policies. This can lead some students to switch schools, attend alternative schools or obtain their GED, according to the doctor.

Last year, alumni and parents protested a policy at Great Hearts Academies charter schools that required students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificate.

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Arizona law doesn't require any sex education to be taught in schools. Some schools do not offer any program, some offer abstinence-only programs and some offer other types of programs.

Read said not including issues affecting the LGBT community in sex education at the school level prevents students from getting accurate health information.

According to a 2015 report by Act for Youth Center of Excellence, multiple studies show LGBT youth are more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or be involved in one than their heterosexual peers.

Planned Parenthood offers free sex education workshops for families and youth to supplement the programs that may be offered at school. More information is available at 602-277-7526.

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Mental health services

LGBT youth are more likely to experience mental health issues than their peers, according to the CDC.

The 2017 Youth Behavior Report found 63 percent of lesbian, gay or bisexual teens and 46.4 of teens who were unsure of their sexual identity experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, compared with 27.5 percent of heterosexual teens.

Chulani said it is important for youth to have support from family and feel accepted regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation. The doctor suggested helping youth find positive role models.

Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization offers monthly family support. Parents, guardians and other family members can discuss issues, ask questions and find resources. Information can be found by emailing contact@aztypo.org.

"All youth, not just LGBTQ youth, need safe spaces to learn and grow," said Read. "They need access to accurate and inclusive sexual health education. They need adults who genuinely care, but hold them accountable. They need to have goals and dreams and folks who will mentor them to achieve those goals."

Housing assistance

According to Read, LBGT youth make up a large percentage of homeless teens in the Valley.

"Although LGBTQ youth represent eight percent of the youth population, they make up 40 to 45 percent of the homeless youth in Maricopa County," Read said. "And because of that, they make up a disproportionate amount of youth who are sex trafficked."

Chulani said some youth need help transitioning from the streets into independent living. One.n.ten is able to help youth with the transition through the Promise of a New Day program.

Youth are provided with mentoring, job training, life skills training, mental health counseling, career and educational development.

Information on the Promise of a New Day program can be found by calling 602-561-4513.

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