The fear of societal stigma has become a cause of concern among the LGBT community with eight out of 10 teenagers contemplating suicide, said social workers.
“A majority of youngsters who come to me for counselling have told me that they often think of ending their lives. They are unable to bear abuse from teachers and peers and are hurt when their parents and relatives also shun them because of their sexual orientation,” Magdalene Jeyarathnam, director of the Centre for Counselling, Chennai, said at a panel discussion on inclusive education for students from sexual minority groups (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender) organised by the US consulate and Madras School of Social work.
“These adolescents are picked on because they are different from others. They then choose to drop out of school, or they are asked to leave by the school itself,” said Magdalene.
Sunil Menon, gay rights activist and founder of Sahodaran, said that the only way to prevent discrimination of LGBT students is through sex and gender education.