LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES - DISCLOSURE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youngsters, aged 14-21 and living at home, were studied for patterns of disclosure of sexual orientation to famil ies. Three-quarters had told at least one parent, more often the mothe r than the father. Those who had disclosed were generally more open ab out their sexual orientation than those who had not, and few of the no ndisclosed expected parental acceptance. Those who had disclosed repor ted verbal and physical abuse by family members, and acknowledged more suicidality than those who had not ''come out'' to their families.