Important statistics about the impact of homophobia on gay and lesbian youth selected from the GLENS website:  www.glsen.org

Please note:  Homophobia is the cause of these problems, not being homosexual.

30% of gay and bisexual adolescent males attempt suicide at least once.

83% of adolescent lesbians use alcohol and 56% use other drugs.

68% of adolescent gay males use alcohol, 44% use other drugs.

97% of students in public high schools report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers

53% of students report hearing homophobic comments made by school staff

80% of prospective teachers report negative attitudes toward gay and lesbian people.

2/3 of guidance counselors harbor negative feelings toward gay and lesbian people.

Homosexuals are probably the most frequent victims of hate crimes.

45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians report having experienced verbal harassment and/or physical violence as a result of their sexual orientation during high school.

42% of adolescent lesbians and 34% of adolescent gay males who have suffered physical attach also attempt suicide.

Note:  Please stop by the GSA Office if you would copies of the sources for these statistics.