Today, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth choose to come out during adolescence. Coming out as a young adult has social and developmental effects.

North Dakota State University hosts Dr. Stephen T. Russell, professor and Fitch Nesbitt Endowed Chair at the University of Arizona, who will present: "Being Out and Gay in High School: Victimization and Young Adult Adjustment" on Friday, March 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Memorial Union Century Theater. A reception will follow the presentation in the Memorial Union Prairie Rose room.

Russell will discuss whether coming out has developmental benefits and if such benefits out-weigh the risks of victimization that may result from coming out as LGBT in adolescence. Results of his study show that school victimization is a strong mediator of the link between being out at school and young adult adjustment.

"For adolescents, coming out is associated with greater risk for peer victimization and harassment. At the same time, studies of LGBT adults indicate that coming out is associated with positive social and emotional adjustment," said Russell.

Russell also is director of the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families. He conducts research on adolescent pregnancy and parenting, cultural influences on parent-adolescent relationships and the health and development of LGBT youth.

The lecture is part of the second annual Gertrude Weigum Hinsz Lecture Series sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Science.