Out of the 8,400 students: "95% characterize themselves as heterosexual; 5% as homosexual or bisexual, and 4% as uncertain." (TSSA-VPW) .
Among the gay/lesbian/bisexual students, "34% has been harassed" due to their "sexual orientation." Also, they were "3 times more likely to be injured in a fight that requiring medical attention." (TSSA-VPW) Furthermore, about "75% of students reported feeling unsafe" in school and have stated feeling "strongly about suicide." (TSSA-VPW) .
When a teenager realizes for the first time their sexuality, they feel it's extremely hard to tell anyone. Gay teenagers feel it's hard to come out into today's society, due to the great number of factors stopping them; homophobia (irrational fear of homosexuals) is one of the factors. Teenagers have to go through the idea that people hate them just because of their sexual orientation. Gay teenagers in high school have to face homophobic teenagers everyday. .
In many cases of homophobia, gay teenagers lose their friends and family. They don't feel accepted if they do tell their family and friends. The overwhelming sensation of abandonment is so great; the teenager feels that he/she will end up getting kicked out of the house. Or, that his/her friends will no longer want to be his/her friend anymore. Teenagers don't know how "to feel or react under these conditions." (Wilson, Terry) This leads to mass "confusion and loneliness". (Wilson, Terry) The feeling of rejection is another factor that makes it hard to come out. Your friends leave you, families disown you, and society looks down upon you. .
The lack of support makes it hard for gay youths to come out. They don't know whom to trust with this secret. "The teenager has no one to look up too." (Cloud, John) The student feels they are the only one in their school and is afraid to come out. (Cloud, John) .
The lacks of support and role models in schools leave many gay and lesbian students feeling alone and ashamed during their adolescence.