While youth must be protected, as a starting point society must accept that they are sexual beings. Denial of this fact may do more harm than good. It is recognized that youth are more likely to have balanced and equal relationships when dating their peers. However, the ability to date one's peers is greatly reduced for LGBT youth compared to heterosexual youth. Unfortunately, many LGBT youth do not feel able to be open about their sexuality.
Many schools are notoriously homophobic environments.
One need look no further than the recent suicide of Hamed Nastoh, a 14 year old Surrey boy victimized by homophobic teasing, to realize that for a youth to be open about their sexuality in high school may involve real risks. The result of society's pervasive homophobia is that heterosexual youth are likely to date those in their class - LGBT youth are not. LGBT youth groups provide vital support to young people struggling with their sexuality. Many LGBT youth come out at LGBT youth groups or other places where LGBT people meet. To criminalize the primarily healthy sexual relations that ensue seems perverse, furthering the marginalization of LGBT youth.