06/30/2026
As conversations about youth mental health continue to evolve and expand, we must also recognize the unique experiences and vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ young people in our own communities. On Staten Island, q***r and transgender youth navigate a complex intersection of local history, family relationships, and community environments that can significantly influence their behavioral health and well-being. Often framed as socially and culturally disconnected from the other boroughs, and as a haven for conservative ideologies, our borough has historically occupied a complex position within New York City’s q***r history, and has been frequently left out from broader conversations regarding New York City’s global importance as one of the most established hubs of q***r history and culture. Yet, q***r and transgender Staten Islanders have a different, more complicated story to tell.
While Staten Island youth already face certain health concerns that are specific to the borough, the added layer of q***r and trans identities may exacerbate these concerns in ways that require additional support. For many q***r and trans youth, mental health and identity development cannot be separated from the environments they navigate through every day: cultures, schools, homes, friend groups, places of worship, and online communities. By viewing the unique experiences of our communities’ LGBTQ+ youth through a behavioral health lens that prioritizes prevention, early intervention, and community support, Staten Island has an opportunity to strengthen the well-being of q***r and trans youth and ensure they have the resources needed to lead healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives.
Although Staten Island is often perceived as having a limited LGBTQ+ presence compared to other New York City boroughs, its q***r history is far deeper than most people realize. Allison Nellis, the founder of on Instagram, has worked on conducting research on LGBTQ+ communities across the borough throughout the twentieth century and into the early 2000s. Reflecting on their findings, they noted, “Something that really surprised me, in mid-century and moving forward to the early 2000s was that there were a lot of q***r spaces on Staten Island. Either ones that had specifically q***r nights or they were just straight up q***r clubs.” They were surprised at the volume of representation they were actually able to find, “I was going to databases that were specifically LGBTQ+, just typing in Staten Island and getting like 13,000 results. And I was thinking like, ‘Oh, this is probably all going to be things that are negative,’ but it was very positive.” These findings seem to challenge the notions that Manhattan and Brooklyn are the epicenters of q***r culture in the city, and that Staten Island is somehow void of any LGBTQ+ representation. Historical figures who fRecognizing and sharing this history can help contemporary q***r and trans youth see themselves as part of a longstanding local legacy of resilience, visibility, and belonging amidst loud and often inaccurate notions that q***rness and trans identity is “new” and perverse.
In 1995, Dr. Ilan H. Meyer, a senior scholar at the UCLA School of Law, developed a theoretical framework that we now know as The Minority Stress Model. This Model seeks to explain the relationship between marginalized populations and the mental health disparities they experience, specifically through social stress caused by stigma and discrimination rather than through their identities. It highlights that people who identify as LGBTQ+ are not inherently pre-disposed to specific health concerns, but that the ways in which they are socialized can hold a very strong impact on their outcomes. On Staten Island, some youth may have difficulties navigating familial, cultural, or religious environments, which can in turn lead to mental health struggles, social isolation, substance use concerns, and a general sense of difficulty with identity development. Family/community members play a very pivotal role in either enhancing this stress or mitigating it. For many youth, familial rejection can show up in a wide array of behaviors and beliefs, such as refusing to use their chosen name or pronouns, discouraging gender expression, negatively referring to others with LGBTQ+ identities, or restricting access to affirming clinical care. Minority stress can also be exacerbated within academic settings in the form of peer bullying, a lack of affirming institutional policies, or a lack of affirming spaces/staff members. Parents can play a very important role in minimizing the effects of Minority Stress by providing acceptance, support, and avenues for open communication, which can help foster resilience, feelings of safety, and allow for a safer development of their child’s identity.
Leading with humility can go a long way, and simple-yet-meaningful actions can help reduce the stigma associated with minority stress, even for parents who may not fully understand their children’s identities yet. For example, parents can help reduce internalized shame by affirming unconditional love regardless of their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Partnerships encourage parents to be honest with children about concerns and uncertainties, and reaffirm that they are loved unconditionally (SFSU 9). Another method might be to connect youth with relevant community members or resources (SFSU 10). Reach out to the Pride Center or another community organization, take them to a trip at Alice Austen House or a Subterranean Cinema Club screening, and reach out to folks in your community who might identify similarly. This can show children that their parents—their most vital supports—are leading with curiosity and care for their own development, and want them to feel connected with their community. We want parents to check in on themselves as well; raising a q***r or trans child can come with a lot of complex emotions. Notice where and when you feel discomfort, and distinguish between what you are able to change and what you need to find a workaround for. The goal with all of these initiatives is not to be the perfect or well-educated parent, but to be honest and willing to yourself and your child.
Ultimately, supporting q***r and transgender youth on Staten Island is a behavioral health issue as much as it is a social and cultural one. The research we have consistently demonstrates that mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth are shaped less by their identities themselves, and more by the environments in which they live, learn, and develop. While Staten Island's q***r history reveals a longstanding legacy of community, visibility, and resilience, many young people continue to navigate stressors related to stigma, isolation, and concerns about acceptance. These experiences can contribute to increased risk for various health challenges when left unaddressed. At the same time, supportive relationships and affirming environments serve as powerful protective factors. If you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or community member seeking support or resources, consider connecting with local LGBTQ+ organizations, behavioral health providers, or youth-serving agencies. Small acts of affirmation and support can have a lasting impact on a young person's mental health and sense of belonging.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37270877/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/substance-use-minority-stress-and-mental-health-among-lgbtq-young-people/
https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/FAP_English%20Booklet_pst.pdf
