Suicide risk among gay men and lesbians: A review

Abstract

Without adequate death statistics from completed suicide data, the suicide risk for gay men and lesbians must be determined from empirical studies and from a theoretical understanding of suicide risk. Three large, well designed studies found that gay men and lesbians attempt suicide two to seven times more often than heterosexual comparison groups. Gay men and lesbians have significantly high rates of risk factors that increase suicide risk such as suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and interrupted social ties. Durkheim suggests that groups with low social status and integration who are denied society's usual privilege and rights are at risk for alienation and anomic suicide unless protected by internal cohesion, religion or anlisuicide norms. Durkheim's theory applied to gay men and lesbians illustrates how the extensive and diverse alienation reported may lead to suicide. Diverse groups of gay people have not yet successfully decreased alienation or suicide. Empirical evidence, risk factors and Durkheim's theory of anomic suicide thus supports the proposition that gay men and lesbians are at high risk for suicide. The need for sensitive research methodology, decreased heterosexual bias, creative network network sampling strategies, and confidentiality are discussed. Future research should clarify the completed suicide rates among diverse groups of homosexuals of different age, sex, race, and demographic variables.

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