National coming out day highlights STDs in LGBT community

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, aimed at encouraging gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to open up about their sexual orientation to their peers. This is also a good time to spread awareness about the problem of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among this population and how to combat this issue.

CBS News reports that gay youth are more likely than their straight peers to have unprotected sex. Being more open and learning to speak comfortably about their sexual identity may encourage these individuals to seek out more information of the importance of practicing safer sex.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages young people to open up about their sexual orientation, pointing out that 'homosexuality is not a mental disorder,'" according to the news provider.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children who are questioning their sexual identity have higher rates of drug use and unexcused absences from school. This suggests that educators may want to consider doing more to encourage tolerance among students.