46% of lgbtq+ youth feel unaccepted at home

8% were kicked out of the family home

13% were financially cut off by family

Exploring the Needs & Assets of the LGBTQ Community in Upstate, SC

HELP US CHANGE THE STATS

The last couple of years have seen new local studies done across the LGBTQ+ community. These studies are widely generalized and we still need more youth specific information. The picture that this data paints is not one of acceptance or support for our LGBTQ+ population. With youth suicide among LGBTQ+ kids growing more common and visible, now is the time to act.

46%

8%

13%

of lgbtq+ youth feel unaccepted at home

were kicked out of the family home

were financially cut off by family

Exploring the Needs & Assets of the LGBTQ Community in Upstate, SC

HELP US CHANGE THE STATS

The last couple of years have seen new local studies done across the LGBTQ+ community. These studies are widely generalized and we still need more youth specific information. The picture that this data paints is not one of acceptance or support for our LGBTQ+ population. With youth suicide among LGBTQ+ kids growing more common and visible, now is the time to act.

“Uplift is a place I can go and not worry about whether or not I look a certain way or present a certain way. To me, Uplift is a place I can simply be, without fear.”

Uplift Outreach Center is the only youth center in Upstate South Carolina whose exclusive purpose is to serve LGBTQ+ youth.
    • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.7
    • LGBTQ+ youth from unaccepting families are 8X as likely to attempt suicide.6
    • LGBTQ+ youth are almost 5X as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.5
    • LGBTQ+ youth are 2X as likely as their straight peers to be bullied/physically assaulted.2
    • LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to skip school to avoid bullying.8
    • 45% of Upstate LGBTQ students feel like an outcast.1

Why are safe spaces important for LGBTQ youth?

In a perfect world, all children would be safe at home. Sadly that is not always the case. LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience rejection and abuse at the hands of family members than their straight peers. This often results in higher rates of youth homelessness and suicide among LGBTQ+ kids. In order for our youth to develop into healthy members of our community, it is our responsibility to provide safe spaces when home isn’t one.

LGBTQ youth who are out to their immediate families are more likely to be happy.

LGBTQ youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
LGBTQ youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
Family Acceptance Project™. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics. 123(1), 346-52

Uplift currently hosts several groups for youth 10-23.

How are we helping?

By creating a safe space where youth are accepted and partnering with local organizations to provide LGBTQ+ specific resources to our community, we are changing the stats one person at a time.

Center hours may fluctuate. Please contact us, follow us on Facebook & Instagram or sign up for emails for up to date open hours.