USA Today Explores Gay Teens

An excellent article from USA Today explores the lives of gay youth, the research that has been collected on them, the way society feels about them and the groups out to hurt them. As with any USA Today article, this one only really scratches the surface of such an important issue, but it is a good starting point for anyone interested in learning more about our gay youth.

The article points out that as more and more gay youth come out at a younger age, our society's attitudes towards gays and lesbians is also progressing: "In 2006, 54% found homosexuality acceptable, compared with 38% in 1992, Gallup polls show."

In fact, the number of affirming gay/straight alliances in America's schools is growing as well: "In the mid-1990s, a few dozen Gay-Straight Alliance clubs were in U.S. high schools; now 3,200 are registered..."

Unfortunately there are still organizations, such as the anti-gay Family Research Council, that are working to make it more difficult for our gay youth to continue to find support in their communities:

"Homosexuality is harmful to society, and young people have no business committing to a sexual identity until they're adults," says Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy group. The council backs a new Georgia law, first in the nation, that requires schools to tell parents about clubs and allows them to forbid their children to participate in gay/straight alliances.

As a community we must ensure these groups do not succeed and our youth continue to find affirming environments throughout their communities. Let's not go backwards.