Recognition

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For years Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered people have been victimized and oppressed by those who surround them.  To be an LGBT youth in a society where their lifestyle is not accepted, living becomes a struggle. LGBT youth are those who suffer most because apart from dealing with the issues that come along growing up they also worry about being accepted.  According to lambda legal Facts: Gay and Lesbian youth in schools  LGBT youth are four times more likely than those who are not gay to attempt suicide and four and a half times more likely to skip school. In the month of October it was reported that five LGBT youth committed suicide due to bullying and the embarrassment of their sexual identity. LGBT youth experience bullying and criticism due to their sexual orientation and many times this leads to depression and suicide. Its time for people to become aware and start making a difference to help the LGBT youth.


Facts

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  1. In November, California approved Proposition 8, which constituted putting an end to same-sex marriage.
  2. There are anti-hate crime laws in 47 states and in the District of Colombia but only 24 states and the District of Colombia recognize sexual orientation and include it in their legislation.
  3. The Matthew Shepard Act is an act that will put an end to hate crimes against sexual orientation and gender identity. The senate approved this law 2009 and it has yet to be passed but it’s expected to be passed by the end of the year.
  4. 75% of students in the United States don’t have laws that protect them from being harassed and discriminated against.
  5. 97% of students who attend public Schools in the U.S. have been harassed and discriminated against by their peers due to their sexual orientation
  6. From the 1.6 million youth who are homeless in America, 20% to 40% have identified themselves as LGBT orientation.
  7. 26% of gay teens who came out to their parents/guardians were told they must leave home.
  8. In 1993 the "don't ask, don't tell," policy was passed which allowed gay people to join the army regardless of their sexual orientation as long as they weren’t open about their sexuality.
  9. An estimate of 2.25 to 2.7 million students have identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered in an America.
  10.   Today studies show that 16 years of age is averaged to be the year in which LGBT youth decide to come out.
  11.  84% of students have been verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation.