Not acknowledging the existence of gay and lesbian students puts educators at risk of having to live with the question of whether or not they contributed to a young person's suicide or murder. Educators are in the position of speaking out in ways that give children and adolescents messages of support. Every time they hear a derogatory comment about gays and lesbians and let it go unchallenged, they give a message of non-support. Many an adult lesbian and gay has stated that they are alive today because one teacher stood up for them or took an interest in them. One person can make a difference.
Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
From these studies it seems clear that all communities in this country have gay and lesbian people in their midst. It is likewise reasonable to assume that every school district in the country has lesbian and gay students, teachers, administrators and other school personnel. Furthermore, there is a growing number of gay and lesbian parents whose children attend our schools. The bottom line is that it is impossible for school administrators to know how many lesbians and gays are in their schools. This is reflected in the focus on the bedroom of gays and lesbians by media, politicians, religious groups, etc.