The FBI noted in 2006 there were 1,195 incidents of “hate crimes” against individuals based on their sexual orientation. (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2006/table1.html)

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force noted in 2003 that “20 percent [of students] fear for their physical safety due to their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.” (http://www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/campus_climate)

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reported in a 2001 study called “The National School Climate Survey”:

• 84.3% of LGBT high school students reported hearing homophobic remarks from students
• 23.6% of LGBT high school students reported hearing homophobic remarks from faculty/staff
• 68.6% of LGBT high school students reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation
• 83.2% of LGBT high school students reported being verbally harassed (name-calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.
• 65.4% of LGBT high school students reported being sexually harassed
• 31.3% of LGBT high school students reported being physically harassed (shoved, pushed, etc.)

(http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/294-2.PDF)