by Kim Richards

Created on: July 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

Statistics show that one in ten or one in twenty human beings tend to be gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. Many people it seems do not understand that the individuals that fall into this category do not just one day in his or her adult life rise up and say to themselves oh wow I am gay or I am a lesbian, although it does appear so, considering how society tends to believe having a different gender identity is something to fear or be embarrassed about.

Since having such an identity is not something that one chooses it becomes a struggle to find the niche that will accept these individuals for who they are. Consider the middle school aged student, that age group itself is difficult enough with all the changes that children go through leaving behind the little kid and forming into young adults. Add to the fact that out of, say, seven hundred students at least seventy have some sort of gender issue. Not only do they have to deal with other students, the gay or lesbian teen has to deal with teachers and of course their own fears of being in a population that society looks at as freakish and unnatural. There are other adults within the community that can make a huge difference to these students; gay or lesbian teachers, advisers, or neighbors can be a tremendous supporter but a stigma about recruiting or pedophilia keeps these adults from giving the support that a young teen needs.

Become a bystander within a classroom and listen to conversations that students have about one another. Inevitably the talk turns to someone that has been labeled gay. Even if that person is not in attendance, these children talk as though no one else is around. A teen that is present though, one that also identifies with the gay and lesbian community suddenly realizes it is probably best not to say anything or worse becomes one who also demoralizes gays or lesbians. It is no wonder teens become isolates or loathe themselves. At that point a student that is not self-confident understands the societal rules of hiding their gender identity as not to be ridiculed or bullied.

Everyone in society has their own opinion about gays and lesbians. Teachers are not exempt and although there is a great many that understand the gender issue there are still a great many that have no problem eliciting their own ideas about what is means to identify as gay or lesbian. With in a classroom one should feel safe and protected at least by the person in charge. How many times does the gay student

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