ABSTRACT
Like all students, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students exist in multiple contexts that impact their development and outcomes. Youth have many environments that influence their development on a daily basis, from the obvious school, home, and community contexts to the less apparent societal and socio-political contexts. Due to a number of environmental factors, coupled with complex identity development issues, LGBTQ students are at a greater risk than their heterosexual peers for a number of risky behaviors and problematic outcomes. The most common and pervasive risk faced by this group of students is victimization. Risks faced by LGBTQ youth include both internalizing and externalizing behaviors and problems. Students may encounter factors that increase risk or promote resilience. The contexts in which LGBTQ students develop greatly influence academic, social, and mental health outcomes. Family, school, peer, and community factors can serve to support development, or can prove devastatingly unsupportive.
