Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Young Adult Assessment
July 2006
Problem Statement  
People who self-identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (GLBTQ/Q) share the stigma and societal discrimination accorded to groups that are not considered mainstream and in many cases they are the victims of prejudice, rejection, abuse and ridicule by people who do not approve of their sexual orientation and or gender.  Most population level studies and surveys do not include questions about sexual orientation.  As a result, there is little data in the published literature about the behaviors and needs of the LBGTQ/Q population.  There is even less published data about how behaviors and needs might vary within the LBGTQ/Q community based on perceived gender.
  
Interesting Facts
•	78% of respondents had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days
•	24% of respondents had smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days
•	14% had used drugs other than marijuana in the past 30 days (21% had used marijuana)
•	28% had consumed 5 or more drinks of alcohol on one occasion (“binge drinking”)
•	For 23% of recent binge drinkers, the most recent episode occurred at the home of a friend, for another 50%, it occurred was at a college campus.  Two-thirds of binge drinking incidents involved consuming alcohol purchased by a friend
•	79% had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days

For general information call: 
Phyllis Verge 207-62-7566 x218
Technical questions related to statistical methods should be directed to:
Kathleen E. Perkins, MPA                                                                                        
     Medical Care Development, Inc.  
11 Parkwood Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
     ph. 207-622-7566 x225, fax 207-622-3616, 
email: kperkins@mcd.org

Note: 113 individuals age 18-29 completed the online informed consent for this anonymous survey.    Approximately 96 of those individuals answered the survey questions.  This number is too low to be generalized to the overall GLBTQ/Q population, but is useful for descriptive purposes.

What can providers do to be more GLBTQ/Q friendly?

We asked, “If a business or service provider wanted to do something that would help you feel more welcome and safe what should they do?  Here are some things that others have suggested.  Would they help you feel more comfortable or help you be more willing to use certain agencies or services?  Please tell us how important you think it would be for providers to implement these different strategies.”

Respondents were asked to rate potential actions on a scale in which “Not At All Important” was the lowest possible ranking (coded as a 1) and Very Most Important was the highest rank (coded as 5).

Action Step / Responses 
(listed in rank order based on response average)	Percentage of respondents ranking this as Important, Very Important, or Very most Important	
Response average (range 1-5)	
Train staff to be comfortable discussing gender and sexual orientation issues with clients and patients.	98%	4.29	
Have signs that explain that all clients are to receive equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.	93%	3.90	
Publicize staff training and sensitivity to GLBTQ/Q concerns.	94%	3.87	
Indicate on signs and forms that the provider staff will not leave information on answering machines that could identify anything about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other health-related information (then follow this policy).	91%	3.69	
Have signs for “hate free zones” or other no tolerance policies.	87%	3.64	
Have materials that reflect the experience of LGBTQ/Q youth in waiting rooms and other office spaces.	87%	3.64	
Hire “out” LBGTQ/Q staff.	85%	3.61	
Incorporate gender neutral bathroom access (e.g. dual use or single staff facilities).	82%	3.58	
Include a space for self-identified information about sexual orientation and gender identity on intake forms, surveys, and other places where they collect information.	86%	3.55	
Ask people what pronouns they prefer for themselves	81%	3.44	
Hang rainbow flags, pink triangles, or other GLBTQ/Q safe zone symbols on doors, buildings or exam rooms.	80%	3.28	

Funding for the study is from SAMHSA, Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention, Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant.