LGB children ‘enjoy better health with parental support’

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) children who receive appropriate support from their parents are more likely to lead healthy lives, according to new research.

A study from the Boston University School of Public Health has polled a sample of LGB adults from Massachusetts, of whom two-thirds received positive support from their parents after coming out to them.

Gay and bisexual males whose parents reacted negatively to their sexuality were shown to be six to seven times more at risk of serious depression and binge drinking, while women had five times the odds of developing serious depression and 11 times greater odds of illicit drug use.

Boston University School of Public Health researcher Emily Rothman said: "Our message is that parents should take note: the way we treat our LGB children … may have a long-term, significant impact on their health and ability to handle life's challenges."

This comes after a study published earlier this month by La Trobe University's Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria showed that LGB people are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than others.