Suicidal Behavior and Coming Out Milestones in Three Cohorts of Sexual Minority Adults

June 2021

Using data from the Generations Study, this report examines a representative sample of LGBQ people in the United States from three age groups—young (18-25), middle (34-41), and older (52-59)—to assess the concurrence of suicide thoughts, plans, and attempts with coming out milestones. It appeared in LGBT Health in June 2021.

AUTHORS

Ilan H. Meyer
Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy
John R. Blosnich
Assistant Professor, University of Southern California
Soon Kyu Choi
Project Manager, Former
Gary W. Harper
Professor, University of Michigan
Stephen T. Russell
Professor, University of Texas, Austin

Highlights

Most suicide attempts among LGBQ people occur within five years of realizing one’s sexual minority identity.

The mean age of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts seems to closely track with the age of first realization of LGBQ identity.

No differences in suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts were found based on race and ethnicity.

Data Points

61%

of suicide attempts among LGBQ people occur within 5 years of realizing one’s sexual minority identity

39%

of attempts happened outside this age range

mean age of coming out among young LGBQ people

mean age of first suicide attempt

mean age of coming out among the middle cohort of LGBQ people

mean age of first suicide attempt

mean age of coming out among older LGBQ people

mean age of first suicide attempt

31%

of young LGBQ people have attempted suicide

24%

of the middle group of LGBQ people have attempted suicide

20%

of older LGBQ adults have made attempts

14%

of first suicide attempts happened after age 41 in older LGBQ people

Please contact our communications office to request a copy of this study.

Suicidal Behavior and Coming Out Milestones in Three Cohorts of Sexual Minority Adults