For most people, adolescence is a difficult time of life filled with pressure from peers, parents, and school. For gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens, however, the stress of this period multiplies, especially for those living in societies which refuse to accept them.

Statistics on gay youth illustrate some of the pain and isolation they face. Because many are rejected or disowned1 by their families, gay and lesbian teens make up 42 percent of the homeless youth in America. They also attempt suicide at a rate two to three times higher than that of their heterosexual counterparts, and are at greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse.

Beyond an often hostile home environment, gay youth also lack allies2 and avenues for support at school. One study indicates that 97 percent of non-heterosexual youth reported hearing homophobic3 taunts at school, while roughly 22 percent said they have been threatened with physical violence because of their sexual orientation.

Attitudes may change, however, as schools are beginning to recognize such prejudice as a health and safety issue. Schools are searching for ways to ameliorate4 the situation, including setting up gay-straight alliance clubs and cracking down on harassment. At the same time, many nonprofit groups are reaching out to provide services to gay and lesbian teens. The support that such youth need the most, however, is that of their families and friends.

1. disown v. 不承認與自己有關系

2. ally n. 同盟者，支持者

3. homophobic a. 厭惡同性戀的

4. ameliorate v. 改善

對大多數人來說，青春期是人生一段難熬的時期，充滿來自同輩、父母和學校的壓力。然而，對于同性戀和雙性戀的青少年來說，這個階段的壓力更是倍增，尤其是那些身處不肯接納他們的社會中的青少年。

統計數據表明了年輕同性戀者所面臨的痛苦和孤獨。由于許多同性戀者遭到家人的鄙棄甚至斷絕關系，美國無家可歸的年輕人中，男／女同性戀青少年就占了百分之四十二。他們企圖自殺的比率也比同齡的異性戀者高出二至三倍，吸毒和酗酒的危險性也比較大。

除了有敵意的家庭環境外，年輕同性戀者在學校也缺乏伙伴，也找不到尋求支持的途徑。一項研究指出，百分之九十七非異性戀的年輕人曾在學校聽到有關厭惡同性戀的辱罵，同時，約有百分之二十二的人表示曾因為他們的性取向而受到暴力威脅。

不過，以上那些對待同性戀青少年的態度是有可能改變的，因為一些學校已經開始認識到這樣的偏見是關系到健康和安全的問題。學校正在尋找改善這種狀況的途徑，包括成立同性戀—異性戀聯合社團，并對騷擾采取嚴厲措施。同時，許多公益團體出面為男／女同性戀青少年提供服務。然而，同性戀青年最需要的是來自家庭和朋友的支持。