NEW YORK – A study has found that teens with a history of homosexual relationships or feelings are between 30 and 50 percent more likely to be stopped by police, and 40 percent more likely to be convicted of a crime as adults or expelled from school.
Researcher Kathryn Himmelstein claims that lesbian, gay or bisexual teens are singled out when it comes to punishment, even when they demonstrate the same bad behavior as their heterosexual peers, MSNBC reports. She said this might be due to a lack of training for administrators that address the needs of gay youth.
Himmelstein urges parents to advocate for their children during interactions with school administrators, police and judges.
According to previous research, one-quarter of homosexual teenagers leave home due to their sexual orientation. Even more are harassed or abused by peers and family members, resulting in increased instances of depression, homelessness and suicide.
Related Articles:
