Why Queer Youth Are At Risk

"No matter how its dealt with, being gay must certainly encompass more than whom we choose to have sex with. We're not different because of what we do in bed. The real difference comes from what's happening beneath our skins, not our sheets."

Mark Thompson*

On the Outside Queer Youth are at Risk:

Gay, Lesbian, and bisexual youth account for 35% of youth suicides.

25% have serious substance abuse problems.

40% run away from home at least once and are at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

97% of students report hearing homophobic comments regularly in their schools.

The Needs of Queer Youth

1) Acceptance

2) Support

3) Knowledge about their community

4) Mentorship

5) You

As long as 10% of youth continue to be queer, and as long as homophobia persists in intruding upon their lives, they will need your love, acceptance, and support to be healthy. They will need your mentorship and your positive words to help them on their journeys to find themselves and follow their hearts. Nothing is more important than the kinds words of strangers and nothing is as powerful as the dreams of our youth.

Please, help make dreams come true.

*Author of "Gay Body; A Journey Through Shadow to Self."

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