According to the Equal Opportunities Commission, 400,000 people identified as LGBTQ+ in Hong Kong in 2017 [1]. While some of them may prefer to remain unlabelled, it is important for us to first understand and accept that gender and sexuality are fluid and can be a very broad spectrum.

Struggles and Difficulties of the LGBTQ+ Community

It is often true that people from the LGBTQ+ community experience greater pressure from society. In addition to the pressures of academics, relationships and self-identity that all youth go through, those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community can go through even greater mental health struggles without appropriate support and understanding. LGBTQ+ young people are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal, and over four times as likely to attempt suicide, compared to heterosexual youth [2].

While many LGBTQ+ individuals can be incredibly resilient in the face of adversity and feel proud of who they are, there are others in society who may hold onto stereotypes and expectations of what makes a “man” or a “woman”. 

In addition to ideas of how people of a specific gender “should behave”, as well as homophobic attitudes toward gay and lesbian individuals in society, other lesser known groups in the LGBTQ+ community are facing their own specific problems. For example, intersex people may be forced to undergo surgeries without consent in order to be made to conform. Asexual people could be labelled “sexually dysfunctional” as a medical condition, or constantly be questioned about their affections, because they do not feel attracted to others. 76% of transgender people have faced discrimination [3], attacked verbally or even physically, only because their gender identity is different from their biological sex assigned at birth. 

The resulting stigma and negative associations that have been attached to the LGBTQ+ community are very likely to affect the way youth grow and develop. Many young people who might not have built up their own values or resilience yet could be discouraged from exploring these concepts for themselves. Youth who belong in this community could feel pressured to hide their struggles and need for support from others around them in fear of these labels. All these are contributing factors to severe stress and anxiety among the LGBTQ+ community, which could then translate to negative health consequences in an attempt to relieve so much stress; in some cases, risky behaviour,  substance misuse, self-harm or even suicidal ideation and attempts.

How Can We Support These Youth?

The support and care a parent gives to an LGBTQ+ youth is critical to their physical and mental wellbeing. In particular, family acceptance helps to protect against depression and suicidal ideation, as well as promote self-esteem and overall health [4].

Adolescence is a significant period of growth and self-discovery. Like their peers, they will be learning who they are, who their friends are, and what they may want to do later in life. Here are some ways on how we can support them:

• Have open communications
  Having an empathetic attitude and a willingness to sit down and talk can help to create a safe space, where a youth or a friend can share their feelings or help you understand what might be going on in their life.
• Keep an open mind
  There is no right or wrong way for a young person to identify as LGBTQ+. Try not to make assumptions. Allow them to use words of their choice to describe their orientation or identity. Having freedom to express themselves in their own way can give them confidence.
• Understand that they are still the same person
  Identifying as LGBTQ+ is only one part of who they are, and this does not change the other parts of the person you already know.
• Take a team approach
  Sometimes, it can feel as though you must have all the answers and take up the responsibility as a friend or parent, but the youth involved is also part of this equation. If they are questioning, be open to questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. Explain healthy relationships can take many forms. If they are not ready to talk, gently let them know you're ready whenever they are.
• Consider additional support
  There may be some things they feel uncomfortable asking you about. A mental health professional like a therapist or counsellor can help answer their questions about their own mental health and LGBTQ+ identity. You can help by finding professionals with experience working with LGBTQ+ youth (usually listed on website bios). Discuss choices with them, but allow them to make the final decision.

Written by Hoi Man Wong, a Research Volunteer for #OneIsTooMany2023, and KELY Mental Health and Wellbeing Team Members.

References

1. EOC & GRC of CUHK Issue Statement Calling for the Introduction of Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status. Equal Opportunities Commission and the Gender Research Centre of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 2017.
2. Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Risk Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9–12 — Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, Selected Sites, United States, 2001–2009. Kann, L., O’Malley Olsen, E., McManus, T., Harris, W. A., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H., ... Zaza, S. 2016.
3. Excluded lives: The largest scale survey on the social and legal marginalisation of transgender people in Hong Kong so far. SUEN Yiu Tung, Randolph C.H. CHAN, Eliz Miu Yin WONG. 2021.
4. Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Caitlin Ryan, Stephen T Russell, David Huebner, Rafael Diaz, Jorge Sanchez. 2010.