Not only does getting called “faggot” and being pushed around in the hallways lead some young people to take their own lives, it also can lead to serious health issues for those who survive it. From memory loss to hormonal “disruption” to bone density issues and cardiovascular problems, suffering through bullying is simply bad for your health, a Concordia University graduate school researcher concludes.
“This shows that homophobia is bad for your health,” said the study’s author, Michael Benibgui. The newly released study is the first to prove a biological link between homophobic bullying and long-lasting physical and psychological conditions, he said.
The study involved 63 Montrealers between the ages of 18 and 25 who answered questionnaires and provided saliva samples in 2003 and 2004, said Benibgui, who was doing his doctoral thesis at the time. Part of the study was made public in 2005, but Benibgui didn’t get around to releasing the rest until now. The results showed that victims of homophobia had disruptions in their output of cortisol, a hormone released in the brain as a response to stress. Normally, cortisol levels are highest in the morning and lowest in the evening, but those facing homophobic bullying consistently produced higher levels throughout the day, Benibgui said.
While the study did not directly gauge participants’ physical side effects, it is well-known that cortisol disruptions can lead to physical ailments. Besides measuring cortisol, the study’s main focus was on whether participants were more depressed or had more thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.
Yes, this research needs to be peer-reviewed and repeated by others, but it’s saying what I think many of us always thought to be true: Even the kids who can survive until the end of high school don’t fully escape the effects of this torment.
L.J.
Based on personal experience, this study rings very true to me.
Shannon1981
Ditto LJ. I definitely have had long term effects- especially of the psychological variety, as a result of this. Furthermore…I still get harassed at the tech school I go to now. Even if I manage to graduate, I might be even more scarred than I already am. And before anyone asks, this is South Carolina. The campus security are a bunch of bigots too. Just gotta take it.
greenmanTN
@Shannon1981: Shannon, instead of going to security, go to the administration. Presumably you’re paying (even if you have loans) to attend this school and it’s their job to provide a safe learning environment and anyone in education would have to blind to have missed the many recent court cases and news stories surrounding anti-gay bullying.
If a student, teacher, or security guard ever does anything to you or your property that constitutes a crime, call the police. Seriously. I hate to say it and it shouldn’t be this way, but you have to demand fair treatment sometimes because otherwise you won’t get it. If you have a voice recorder on your cell phone, record evidence of the harassment. Have you ever heard the saying “It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease”? It means that unless you make noise you’re likely to be ignored.
I know it’s hard, especially in South Carolina, but I live in Tennessee which isn’t exactly a bastion of approval for gays either and it can be done. Yeah, “it gets better” but sometimes anger is a healthier response to bullying than patience or hope. Don’t get sad, get mad. You’ve done nothing wrong, so demand fair treatment. If you’re worried about ‘causing trouble’ or being seen as someone who ‘can’t take it,’ fuck that. There’s absolutely no excuse for bullying and keeping quiet about it only empowers them and doesn’t help you. Don’t let them get away with it.
Shannon1981
@greenmanTN: Ironic that you say that! I just talked to the dean of students. I got a nasty facebook message that said and I quote, “We know you’re a queer. Watch your back. We don’t go for that shit on this campus.”
That is pretty much a threat. I showed her the page, she said it wouldn’t be tolerated. She’ll have the IT department trace what they can. But the way this network works, there may be no way. And the FB that it came from was a troll account. I checked. But, she did say she’d stop it. The security dude is a prick, I won’t be speaking with him again. There IS a non discrimination policy..but it, right now, only includes something really vague about “affectional preferences.” I am usually not the type to sit back and take crap like this, but there’s the net harassment that I only have proof of. The group of stupid bullying rednecks- its kind of like my word against theirs. Can’t do much unless I get a recording, which, great idea, thanks! Anyway, in the beginning steps of being taken care of.
scott ny'er
@Shannon1981: Good luck. How terrible for you. it would be better to get you out of that college and somewhere else but I know that’s easy to say, less so to do.
Shannon1981
@scott ny’er: Well I’ll be done at the end of the summer. So I am hanging in there, just want the degree. I’m almost 30, no more time to waste. But it isn’t just the school, it is the TOWN. This place, even being near a bigger city(Charlotte) is FULL of religious whackjobs. Granted I painted a target on my own back last year by coming to school in a T Shirt that said “Career Queer” with a rainbow flag. Stupid, I know. I haven’t done anything else like that, but…I haven’t been in a closet in quite some time, so I really don’t think about toning it down or whatever, you know?
greenmanTN
@Shannon1981: Good for you! Another thing that’s important is for you to document the harassment and the steps you’ve taken to stop it. Recreate the events from the past, complete with dates if you can remember them, then keep a log of events and conversations from now on. The more detail the better, but it doesn’t have to be novel-length. “2/3/11- Spoke to Dean Of Students, (name), about Facebook threat and she told me….” It never hurts to have a record and if you ever need it, it’s there. Sometimes it comes down to “whoever has the best documentation wins.”
And don’t let anyone bait you into saying or doing anything they can use against you. The momentary satisfaction you might get out of it won’t be worth it in the long run. Not that you would, but stand up for yourself without making threats in return, for example.
Keep it up!
Shannon1981
@greenmanTN: Thanks for the support guys. I feel better at least talking about it. And, already recorded the convo. The Dean must be the only official here that IS NOT a raging homophobe, except one teacher. The rest don’t openly harass, but they certainly look the other way. Other than the Career Queer T shirt, I can’t of anything at all that could be used against me, except, just happening to be obviously gay. Can’t do anything about that though. I also printed the FB page before I deleted the comment, and took a screen shot.
alejandro
No fucking way! That’s my university :D!!!!
Kev C
Actually, I found Charlotte to be a pretty nice place. But I figure once you get outside the city limits it becomes Strom Thurmond land. Keep up your confidence levels, Shannon. Look, act and think confidently and don’t let fear and negativity overwhelm you.
Shannon1981
You’re safe enough in Uptown Kev C. But I am about 25 mins from the city, and its rough in these parts. I am about 10 mins from the NC border and 25 from Uptown. Whole other world. And thanks. I feel better now that I did something about it. Isn’t the first time I’ve been picked on, won’t be the last.