Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay and lesbian youth.
Almost half had run away from home at least once. Academic failure, lack of student involvement and low commitment to school are profound for gay and lesbian youth because schools are neither safe, healthy nor productive places for them to learn. Teachers may wish to stop harassment and anti-gay comments, but few have had any specific training which would teach them to intervene effectively and many fear reprisals without the explicit support and backing of their administration. There are very few openly gay staff members or teachers in schools. TO BE GAY .