The consequences of this abuse may include truancy, dropping out, poor grades, and having to repeat a grade. Studies have found from 30 to 70 percent of gay males and lesbians experience verbal or physical assault in school. Approximately 28 percent eventually drop out of school. Since the study's inception in 1993, seven young people have reported being gang raped in public schools because of their sexual orientation. 6 Lack of Positive Role Models Positive social support for LGBT adolescents is minimal.
Young people are often afraid to seek support, even where it is available.
7 Accurate and positive portrayals of gay men and lesbians are generally absent from mainstream entertainment media, which fuel misconceptions. Because LGBT youth often internalize society's negative messages regarding sexual orientation, many suffer from self-hatred as well as social and emotional isolation. In a 1995 study of LGBT youth in Seattle public schools, 38.5 percent admitted heavy drug use compared to 22.5 percent of their heterosexual peers. A similar study in Los Angeles in 1996 found 55 percent of the MSMs reported engaging in unprotected anal intercourse in the previous six months. 13 Greater Risk for Attempting Suicide Gay and bisexual adolescent males are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.