- 42 percent of LGBT people report living in an unwelcoming environment.
- LGBT youth are 2x more likely than their peers to be assaulted, kicked, or shoved at school.
- Almost three quarters of LGBT youth say they are more honest about themselves on the Internet.
- 90 percent of LGBT teens have come out to their close friends.
- More than 75 percent of LGBT teens are positive that in the future, people will be more accepting of their sexuality.
- Young LGBT who are “out” to their immediate families report feeling happier than those who aren’t.
- While non-LGBT youths struggle most with school classes, exams, and work, their LGBT peers say the biggest problem they face is unaccepting families.
- As of May 2, 2013, 10 states in the U.S. have granted marriage equality including Rhode Island, New York, Washington, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Iowa, and Washington D.C.
- The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy which restricted lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in the military from openly serving was lifted in 2011. Transgenders are not permitted to serve openly yet.
- All but 5 states in the U.S. have some kind of law protecting hate crimes against the LGBT community.
- More than half of LGBT youth admit to being harassed with verbal slurs like “gay” and “fag.”
Start a gay/straight alliance at your school. GO
Sources: Marriage Equality, HRC, Hate Crime Laws
