Post submitted by Brian McBride, former HRC Digital Strategist 

HRC and researchers at the University of Connecticut launched a major national survey of LGBTQ teens. The survey is open to teens who identify as LGBTQ, are between 13 and 17, and are living in the U.S. Eligible teens can take the survey here.

The survey will help paint a picture of LGBTQ teens growing up in today's America: a country more familiar than ever with their identities, yet facing a terrifying backlash, particularly against communities of color, transgender people, and immigrants.

With the help of young people from across the U.S., the survey will answer pressing questions about what it’s like to grow up LGBTQ today, such as:

• How do rejection or support from peers, family and others shape LGBTQ young people's lives?
• What kinds of health concerns (like smoking or stress) are common among LGBTQ teens?
• How many transgender teens have their identities respected at school, and are able to access gender-appropriate facilities?
• How do intersecting identities, such as race or disability, affect the challenges and opportunities that LGBTQ youth encounter?

This youth survey is designed to be valuable not only to advocates, but also to academic researchers (including psychologists, epidemiologists and sociologists) who study what LGBTQ young people need to grow up safe and healthy. At the University of Connecticut, the project is led by Dr. Ryan Watson and Dr. Rebecca Puhl, both faculty members in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

People of all ages can help by sharing information about the survey on social media or email. Click here to share on Facebook and here for Twitter. 

To learn more about HRC’s work with children and youth, click here.