There is no set age at which a person becomes aware that she or he is lesbian or gay. Some gay, lesbian and bisexual people become aware of their orientation during adolescence or earlier. People can realize their sexual orientation at any point during their lives. Because of strong societal pressures to be heterosexual, some people don't identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual until later in life, perhaps after they have been heterosexually married for several years.

Some people say that they have "felt different" or knew they were attracted to people of the same sex from the time they were very young. Some transgender people talk about feeling from an early age that their gender identity did not match parental and social expecations. Others do not figure out their sexual orientation or gender identity until they are adolescents or adults. Often it can take a while for people to put a label to their feelings, or people's feelings may change over time.

LGBT coaches or athletes of color must contend with prejudice against LGBT people as well as prejudice and discrimination because of their race. Because of this, the experiences of LGBT athletes or coaches of color are often different from those of white LGBT people. For example, they may feel less willing to identify themselves as members of two groups who are discriminated against.

Individual athletes sometimes call LGBT people in athletics names, spread rumors about them, or encourage others to avoid contact with them. Coaches sometimes require LGBT athletes to keep their identities hidden or try to encourage the athlete to change their sexual orientation. In extreme cases, LGBT people in athletics are physically threatened; or their property is vandalized.

We sure do! There are more than 30 Deaf Queer organizations in the United States. Some of these organizations, such as the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, date back to the 1970s! The Deaf Queer Resource Center maintains the most complete list in the country of these groups. Find it in our Organizations section.

Individual athletes sometimes call LGBT people in athletics names, spread rumors about them, or encourage others to avoid contact with them. Coaches sometimes require LGBT athletes to keep their identities hidden, or try to encourage the athlete to change their sexual orientation. In extreme cases LGBT people in athletics are physically threatened or their property is vandalized.

LGBT stands for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender. It's a short acronym to represent the primary sexual orientation minorities. (GLBT is the same thing.)

When LGBT people in sports are stigmatized, many young men and women go to great lengths to avoid association with lesbians and gay men by monitoring their appearance, mannerisms, and relationships with peers. In women's sports, the lesbian label is often used to discourage women from challenging inequities between men's and women's sports. If women fear being called lesbians, this can be an effective way to intimidate women into accepting less than equal treatment.

No. Lesbian, gay, and bi people are as varied in their dress, mannerisms, and lifestyles as are heterosexuals. Despite this diversity, many stereotypes persist about the effeminate man or masculine woman. Although some gay people reflect these characteristics (see "Why Are Lesbians And Gay Men So Blatant"), the overwhelming majority of lesbians and gay men do not conform to these stereotypes, and their sexual orientation is invisible to the general public.

LGBT people are often accused of being blatant (wearing buttons, marching in gay rights marches, talking and writing about homosexuality, holding hands in public, etc.) Our culture teaches that the only acceptable way to be gay is to be silent or invisible ("in the closet"). Any openness about LGBT identity is labeled "blatant" or as "flaunting it".

Yes. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people can have families. Same-sex couples do form committed and loving relationships. In the United States many same-sex couples choose to celebrate their love with commitment ceremonies or civil unions, although these couples are not offered the rights and benefits of marriage. In Vermont, same-sex couples can have a state civil union that offers some of the benefits of marriage to resident couples.

Becoming informed about LGBT issues helps reduce heterosexism and homophobia. This makes it easier for one to live a more open and productive life in their work and home communities. The culture as a whole is therefore enriched. For LGBT youth, who are more likely to experience depression and rejection by friends and/or family, acceptance and understanding could be a matter of life or death.

quot;Coming out" refers to disclosing one' sexual orientation or gender identity to others. Someone who is "out" or "out of the closet" is comfortable with most all people knowing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many people come out first to one person or just a few people, and then later they often come out to everyone. People come out because it is a way of making a positive statement of self-acceptance and integrity to the world.

Yes, we welcome hearing LGBT people who are able to sign fluently. They can become associate members. As for straight members, they can be "supporters" rather than associate members.

Yes. Longstanding relationships are common. However, because of the social stigma expressed against LGBT people, these partnerships are nearly always invisible. Same sex marriages are currently not recognized and many benefits for legal spouses are denied to domestic partners. In addition, recognition of partnerships goes unrecognized in the media (e.g. marriage and obituary announcements) and in the workplace (lack of desktop photos and social invitations).

No. Sexual orientation does not affect one's job qualifications or performance. Unfortunately, some people believe that gay men and lesbians should not be allowed to hold certain positions such as teacher, supervisor or health provider. They feel that gay men and lesbians are sexually irresponsible and less trustworthy than heterosexuals, particularly with children. The stereotype of child molester or hypersexual gay person is common but entirely false.

Homo-, bi- and transphobia in our culture puts LGBT people at greater risk for sexual assault. It is common for perpetrators to use sexual violence as a way to punish and humiliate someone for being LGBT, and/or for sexual assault to be one type of violence that occurs during an anti-LGBT battering. A common example of this, is when individuals who think they can "change" a person's sexual orientation specifically target lesbians and bisexual women for sexual assault.

Not necessarily. You make the decision to come out as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, ally, or straight person. The LGBT community has several allies, people who may or may not be LGBT, but are openly committed to supporting LGBT students. We are a community that tries to avoid assumptions about the sexual orientation of any person. Again, it will be your decision if, when, and who you choose to come out to.

The truth is that it is extremely difficult to judge this individually. You may be aware if your halitosis (bad breath) becomes severe.

Experts estimate that more than 3,000,000 Americans have undiagnosed kidney and urinary tract diseases. One in 9 American adults have chronic kidney disease and most don't know it.

Immediately following surgery a patient’s recipient area is typically pink with scabs forming around the micro incisions. These hundreds of tiny incisions will heal rapidly within a week to ten days. During the first few days after the surgery a person’s hair transplants will be noticeable if there is no previous hair to mask these temporary scabs. However, most patients feel comfortable being in public without wearing a hat within 5 to 7 days following surgery.

African Americans, we know first hand the experience of discrimination and what discrimination has done to our country. The civil rights movement fought for basic rights in a society that wanted to keep us as second-class citizens. It would be wrong for us to turn our backs on another group in need and to participate in discrimination based on sexual orientation. Gays and lesbians want many of the same things everyone else does: healthy lives, stable families and secure relationships.

There are religious and secular organizations which sponsor campaigns and studies touting that GLBT people can change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Their assertions assume that there is something wrong with being GLBT - the largest problem is, in fact, society's intolerance of difference. PFLAG believes that it is our anti-GLBT attitudes, laws and policies that need to change, not our GLBT loved ones.

No. As part of the oppression that LGBT people have faced for their sexual orientation and/or gender identification, their sexual activities have sometimes been criminalized. In some areas of the U.S. they still are. Legally speaking, this may put sexually active LGBT people in violation of the sex codes, but it does not make them perpetrators of sexual violence.

First, realize that whatever happened to you was wrong and is not your fault. Do not take the blame for someone else's intolerance. Secondly, take care of yourself. Find support from friends, family, or individuals on campus that are here to provide support such as CAPS (863-0395) or the LGBTA Student Resource Center. Thirdly, if you are comfortable doing this, speak up. Talk to your RA or someone from the LGBTA Student Resource Center.

The numbers vary year by year, but there are 30 gay and lesbian students that are part of the LGBTSA. The LGBTSA is collaborating with HBS Admissions to continue to grow these numbers and create a strong pipeline of qualified LGBT prospective students.

Fistula is a relatively hidden problem, largely because it affects the most marginalized members of society: young, poor, illiterate women in remote areas. Many never present themselves for treatment. Because they often suffer alone, their terrible injuries may be ignored or misunderstood. The Campaign to End Fistula is working to break the silence around this condition and the stigma attached to it.

We do not ask you for your name or email address, and we do not publish any information about you. If you're concerned about your identity, use fake names in place of the real people in your bombs, and don't give out any identifying information in your bombs (name, address, phone number, blog, myspace, website links, etc).