ABSTRACT
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth are coming out younger, on average at age sixteen (Herdt and Boxer, 1996, as cited in Human Rights Watch, 2001). Many become dangerously isolated—rejected by family and friends, harassed and attacked by their peers in school, and demeaned by society. Because of their youth, many lack independent resources and may have a hard time accessing support. This problem is accentuated for GLBT youth of color who already face social prejudice and stigmatization because of race or ethnicity. By coming out, they also risk rejection by their community of origin and, therefore, intensified isolation (Ryan and Futterman, 1998; Varney, 2001). Children of GLBT parents are also commonly targeted and harassed by peers in much the same ways as GLBT youth.
