It's unsurprising that gay and lesbian youth in New Zealand show a higher risk of mental illness, say GLBT community and welfare groups. A sample of nearly 1000 Christchurch-born young people examined by Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences found homosexual orientation more likely to be associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, illicit drug dependence, suicidal thoughts and attempts. The AIDS Foundation says the the paper is an "important contribution" to improving scientific knowledge about sexual orientation. "The NZAF has always said that young gay people are at heightened risk of mental health problems. This study provides further clear evidence of that," says spokesman Steve Attwood. The paper found young gay men are five times more likely to develop mental health problems than their heterosexual counterparts. Young lesbians fared better, but were still found to be twice as likely to develop mental health problems than straight women. “We believe that the gender difference (males showing more problems) is likely to reflect heightened social stigma associated with male homosexuality in New Zealand society,” Attwood says. Pamela Dwyer, co-ordinator of GLBT support group UniQ at Otago University, agrees. “Men are still struggling with the expectations of machoism – to be masculine or to be gay. The social experiences that many of us have had are isolating, insecuring, stressful and damaging,” she says. “I hope this study encourages people to be aware of the damage that has and is being done on our young queer people and doesn't create another stereotype for people to blindly hold onto.” Professor David Fergusson, who presented the paper's findings to the media, said they clearly support the view that young gay people are at increased risk of mental health problems and suicidal behaviours, although the reasons for the increased risk remain to be established. Neville Creighton of Auckland's Gay and Lesbian Welfare says if Professor Fergusson wants to discover the reasons for the poor state of mental health among young gays and lesbians, “then let him come and ask us.” Creighton says the findings of the paper are hardly rocket science. “Is it any wonder? Here we have a group of people that are constantly bombarded with messages of how bad they are. They are faggots, pansies, sissies, perverts, disgusting,” he says. “Is it any wonder that their self esteem is so low that they wonder whether it is all worth it and they would be better off dead?” All welfare groups spoken to by GayNZ.com said political parties and religious groups who use GLBT issues and people as political branding exercises need to be aware of the damage they are causing to youth as a result.