Dr. Kohn said such adolescents are at a far greater risk of low self- esteem, drug and alcohol abuse and depression than their heterosexual peers.

Homosexual adolescents are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to a study by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

They would be anyway, at this age, but Steven has fewer avenues for self-expression than his heterosexual peers, and the pressure builds.

Because homosexuals don't get survivors' benefits from Social Security or most pension plans when their partners die, they may be poorer than their widowed heterosexual peers.