The years between ten and twenty are tumultuous for everyone, but for gays an lesbians, it's even harder: while all teens find themselves hormonally catapulted into the world of sex and crushes, homosexual teens land somewhere different from where peers, teachers, and parents usually expect.

This situation can be especially hard for teens living in families or communities where anti-gay prejudice is popular. Some parents send gay children to therapy or threaten abandonment in an attempt to "change" them, some schools won't allow same-sex couples to attend prom, and some students make cruel jokes, or even get violent.

Learning about who you really are is a huge part of being a teen: you're growing up. Some parts of your transformation into an individual, however, may not be respected enough by those around you, and it's especially in times like these that extra support from people with like minds is needed. On top of that, since homosexuality is a minority preference, fellow gay teens can be hard to pick out of a crowd.

Internet

While an Internet community only offers a limited degree of close companionship, chatting with like-minded people can be therapeutic. Search specifically for an online community centered in your area to learn of in-person group meetings, outings, or hangouts.

Remember that no matter how cool a person might seem online, and they're probably being legitimately honest, it could be someone playing a role for a laugh, or in a plan to do you harm. If you want to attend a meeting or party, bring a friend with you. If no one wants to join you, stick to meeting in safe public places.

Gay-Straight Alliance

The Gay-Straight Alliance is a wide-reaching community consisting of smaller communities, all intent on maintaining positive relations between lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered people, the generally curious, and heterosexuals. They sponsor diversity-friendly events, like all-orientation dances, National Coming Out Day, and No Name-Calling Week, and advertise them locally. The point is to encourage diversity and acceptance among all orientations and identities, not to segregate any group. While it views homosexual hatred as something to be avoided, it also discourages homosexual-exclusive clubs.

If you live in a large or medium-sized city, it's very likely you'll be able to find a GSA community nearby, either within your high school or unrelated to a particular school. If your school doesn't have one, and you're

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