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to suicidea€|Actually ,it is the social stigma and discrimination that LGBT youth experience that results in feelings and behaviors which are, in turn, associated with suicidal behavior'(Powers).

According to a Youth Risk Survey, 'Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes' led by Dr. Caitlin Ryan 'Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers' (Johnson) 'Cross sectional studies of LGBT samples have suggested suicidality to be associated with the female gender; gender conformity; victimization, particularly in the form of LGBT-targeted victimization; and poor social support' (Liu and Mustanski 222). Social support and community action may help to combat against the risk for these behaviors. Critics of GSAs 'allege that safe schools initiatives create 'inequity' by 'promoting homosexuality,' (Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council).

'Many educators are afraid to address homophobic attitudes in their schools. As a result many students experience bullying and humiliation' (Hanlon 32). Seventy-five percent of students reported hearing derogatory remarks such as 'faggot' or 'dyke' frequently at school.(33) 'As a result of frequent intolerance, abuse, and lack of support from school officials, many LGBT students feel isolated and depressed. LGBT youth are at high risk for abusing drugs, engaging in unsafe sex, and becoming homeless.'(33) Harassment and discrimination begin at a very young age usually in elementary school. This bullying usually turns violent after several years of torment. Many of these tormented children frequently suffer from depression and have suicidal ideations.

In 'The Impact of Belonging to a High School Gay/Straight Alliance' high school journal, the author Lee suggests there is 'evidence that GSAs do make a difference in school climates and for individual students' (Lee 2002). 'In schools that have GSAs, students and student personnel report more supportive climates for LGBT students (Russell, Muraco, Subramanian, & Laub 892). There tends to be lower rates of suicidal ideation and actual suicides.

GSAs are not the only contributing factor to the decline of suicide among gay youth, other social awareness programs such as 'It gets better' and 'NOH8' have helped to educate a broad range of people and contribute greatly to the overall acceptance and understanding of GLBT youth. 'Another approacha€|to reach young people is via television programs watched by them. With programs like 'Will and Grace', 'GLEE', and 'Modern Family' GLBT youth and their peers are at least exposed o homosexuality. It is very important to expose our gay and non-gay youth to new view of homosexuality.

Not only should be willing to educate our non-gay youth about acceptance but as supporters and activist we must also teach our 'homosexual' youth about self-acceptance. Many individual who identify as GLBT don not truly understand what or why they have these feelings. GLBT youth are conditioned to pretend to be like everyone else or to fit in. Many homosexual teenagers admit to being ashamed of their sexual orientation. We must focus

'on helping young people accept and understand that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with them, but rather, that societal misinformation about homosexuality and the internalization of harmful myths and stereotype