Today marks National Coming Out Day, where closeted lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to speak up about their sexual orientation.
As National Coming Out Day is celebrated across the nation, the premise of the observance is to promote greater self-acceptance in letting young people know it’s okay to be gay.
According to survey results at the Center for Disease Control, LGBT youth could use the reassurance, CBS News reports. The study revealed that 80 percent of gay students had been verbally harassed at school. A staggering 40 percent of LGBT youth were physically tormented or harassed in some day, and 60 percent felt unsafe at school.
Another problem amongst gay teens include their likelihood to have negative thoughts about their sexual orientation which has resulted in suicide attempts in over 37 percent. The study concluded that caring family members and school officials could help troubled teens by encouraging the students and working to understand their feelings.
As CBS News reports, the American Academy of Pediatrics assures teens that “homosexuality is not a mental disorder,” and encourages teens with the following advice:
“Some people wrestle with this for years before finally deciding to do it. Others keep their sexual orientation a secret for their entire lives. Remember that only you can decide the best time to share this information with your family and friends. Do not feel pressured to ‘come out’ before you are ready.”
