Discussion Summary: Nov. 13, 2023
LGBTQ+ Youth and the Power of Belonging
In 2023, the Surgeon General released a new advisory sounding the alarm on the public health crisis of loneliness and social isolation. People who lack social connections face significantly higher risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even premature death.
These statistics are especially concerning for LGBTQ+ communities who have endure higher rates of social isolation. Yet generations of LGBTQ+ leaders have also pioneered ways to fight isolation: found family, intergenerational spaces, underground networks.
Experts from research, design, and community organizing backgrounds discuss the power of belonging for LGBTQ+ youth, exploring how we can support social connection.
About the Panelists:
Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, SAFELab
Patton studies the impact social media has on well-being, mental health, trauma, violence and grief for youth and adults of color.
Joshua Lavra, Creative Lead, Hopelab
Lavra is a creative lead at Hopelab, creating science-backed mental health and wellbeing tools with LGBTQ+ and BIPoC communities.
Jasper Liem, Executive Director, Attic Youth Center
Liem, LCSW, is the Executive Director of the Attic, a youth center offering a wide range of programs and services designed to provide LGBTQ+ youth with the support and skills needed to transition into independent, thriving adults.
Discussion Highlights:
- Emphasis was placed on the importance of co-creating programs and tools with youth, not just for them, to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
- Social media was discussed as both a risk and a resource—while it can expose youth to harm, it also offers vital spaces for connection, healing, and joy.
- The panel highlighted the need for transparency, reflexivity, and intersectionality in all youth-focused work.
- The event concluded with a call for more collaborative, youth-centered approaches across sectors, including academia, philanthropy, and community organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- Belonging as a Health Imperative: Loneliness and social isolation significantly impact health, with effects comparable to smoking. For LGBTQ+ youth, belonging can be a powerful protective factor against mental health challenges.
- Youth-Led and Youth-Informed Work: Effective support for LGBTQ+ youth must be co-created with them. Youth should be treated as domain experts, not just participants, and their input should shape programs, policies, and digital tools.
- Digital Spaces as Double-Edged Swords: While social media can be harmful, it also offers vital spaces for connection, identity exploration, and healing—especially for marginalized youth. Platforms like imi and TRACE are examples of youth-centered digital health tools.
- Transparency and Reflexivity: Building trust with youth requires transparency about intentions, processes, and outcomes. Adults and institutions must also engage in ongoing self-reflection to recognize their own biases and limitations.
- Intersectionality Matters: Programs must consider the diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ community. Race, geography, gender identity, and socioeconomic status all shape how youth experience belonging and access support.
Calls to Action
- Center Youth Voices: Involve LGBTQ+ youth in leadership roles, advisory boards, and program design. Compensate them fairly and respect their autonomy and expertise.
- Foster Safe and Inclusive Spaces: Whether in schools, community centers, or online, create environments where youth feel seen, respected, and supported.
- Invest in Community-Based Solutions: Support organizations that are embedded in and led by the communities they serve. Funders and institutions should prioritize grassroots efforts.
- Practice Radical Transparency: Share decision-making processes, acknowledge mistakes, and maintain open communication with youth and collaborators.