Lesbian and Gay Adolescents

With the increasing amounts of media and exposure of the gay community, i do not find it at all surprising that more and more students are identifying themselves as homosexual at earlier ages than in the past. Gays have a better opportunity to be open about their sexual orientation than ever before because although many people still fight against it, support for the gay community is rising. Awareness of one self is important for any person, no matter their orientation, it just may be more difficult for homosexuals during their middle school years because they are somewhat unsure about whether they are gay or straight, and many also worry about whether or not their peers will accept them. Being gay may be hard on some because they want to "come out" to their friends when they desire the right time is. It is understandable that many gays and lesbians try to hold their cover, because they do not wish to be ridiculed, but acceptance has to increase and be taught that it is okay to be different from a very early age in order to rid a person of any fear to express their true feelings.
I do find it interesting that the numbers are as high as they are about sexual experience in the middle school years because personally I was not even aware of any gays in my school until around my junior year of high school. Even though the saying goes women mature before men, it is interesting that gay men seem to be realizing their orientations and expermenting sexually earlier than their lesbian counterparts.