Suicidal behaviour in gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth

Bagley and D'Augelli contended that suicidal behavior in bisexual,
gay, and lesbian (BGL) youth is "an international problem that is
associated with homophobic legislation."(p1617) Heretofore, no cross-
cultural research existed to empirically examine their assertion.
However, a recently published study found considerable cross-cultural
variation in suicidality by sexual orientation. The present study
reexamined these intercontinental data to determine whether variations in
suicide ideations or attempts are associated with national legislation
concerning homosexual (a) adoption, (b) military service, (c) employment,
and (d) marriage or domestic partnership.

A more detailed description of the Participants and Methods and the
survey instrument can be found elsewhere. Four English-speaking
countries were selected from the intercontinental study2: Australia (n =
185, 17.3% BGL), Canada (n = 1,178, 10.95% BGL), United Kingdom (n = 116,
12.9% BGL), and United States (n = 34,843, 13.41% BGL). Only countries
with n = 15 for each category were included, as needed to detect a
proportional difference of 0.10, assuming a population proportion of M =
0.50 (no difference), alpha = .05, and 70% power. An index was created
for national governments' positions regarding each of the aforementioned
issues (a-d). Scoring was 0 (no position), +1 (prohibited), and -1
(protected), with a range of +4 to -4.

The scoring was as follows. Australian = -1: Adoption (0), marriage
or domestic partnerships (0), employment discrimination (0), military
service (-1). Canada = -4: Cf. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Section 15(1), 1982; Human Rights Act of 1996; judicial decisions.
Adoption (-1), domestic partnerships (-1), employment discrimination (-1),
and military service (-1). United Kingdom = -2: Adoption (0), marriage
or domestic partnerships (0), employment discrimination (-1), military
service (-1). United States = +2: Adoption (0), marriage or domestic
partnerships (+1, Public Law 104-199), employment discrimination (0),
military service (+ 1, cf. Department of Defense Directive 1332.14,
January 28, 1982).
Table 1 shows each countries' cumulative index for homosexual-related
legislation (index). It then shows suicide ideation (I) and suicide
attempts (II) by each sexual orientation and country, with the OR and 95%
CI for BGL/Heterosexual risks. The final 2 columns reflect the Pearson's
correlation and its p-value for the relation between homosexual-related
legislation and suicidality cross-culturally. Homosexual suicide attempt
percentages were strong and statistically significant, but inversely
related to the index, r = -0.952, p <.05. The index was not
significantly associated with other suicidality variables.

Bagley and D'Augelli1 postulated a top-down, public policy model that
contended legislation mediates a putative relation between suicidality and
sexual orientation internationally. Conversely, Mathy2 hypothesized a
bottom-up, social constructivist model that suggests cultural attitudes
toward human sexuality mediate the relation between suicidality and sexual
orientation. The present study provides empirical evidence discomfirming
the public policy model. Thus, direct challenges to homosexual-related
public policy would appear to be a less effective strategy for preventing
gay and lesbian suicide attempts than would effecting positive changes in
cultural attitudes toward human sexuality.

  Table 1.  Suicide Ideators and Attempters (% Yes) by Sexual 
Orientation and Country, with National Index Scores for Legislative 
Policies Concerning Homosexuality, Pearson Product Moment Correlation 
Across Countries, and Associated Probabilities.

Australia		Canada			UK			US			r	 p
Legislation Scores		  -1			 - 4			 - 2			+2		
I.  Suicide Ideations
Homosexual		28.1			28.5			18.8			25.3			-.102	.898
Heterosexual		24.2			14.9			18.0			13.8			-.096	.904
OR (95% CI)	  	  1.23 (0.52, 2.88)	  1.05 (0.27, 4.08)	  2.28 (1.50, 3.45)
2.13 (1.98, 2.29)	  .564	.436
II.  Suicide Attempts
Homosexual		12.5			13.1			12.5			10.3			-.952   	.048*
Heterosexual		  7.2		  	  4.8		  	  7.0		  	  4.8			-.105	.895
OR (95% CI)		  1.84 (0.55, 6.21)	  1.90 (0.36, 10.07)	  3.00 (1.68, 5.38)	
2.28 (2.05, 2.54)	  .099	.901

Note:  *p <.05