The average coming-out age has declined from 20-something in the '80s to somewhere around 16 today, and there are many who come out younger -- in some cases far younger. Both the LGBTQ community and society at large need to be thinking about how to meet these kids' needs.

I admit that I was totally clueless until I got hit with the gay stick at age 15. I knew I was different. I knew I didn't want to wear dresses or get married, but I didn't get the memo that the way I liked boys wasn't the way that other girls my age felt.

I do not believe that straight and gender-conforming people are any less caring or are any less concerned about our youth. Yet there is too little said and done to save the lives of LGBT youth.

I know how you feel -- six years ago, I was where you are now. I felt isolated, scared, damaged; I thought the only way out was by ending my life. I'd been hiding who I was for years by that point.

This article is my third in less than three years about teen bullying and the tragedy of suicide among LGBT youth. Today, I write an almost identical article with practically the same statistics that I have written for the past two years.

For Jamey, and potentially many more young people in a similar situation, being told and believing that "it gets better" is not enough. For Jamey and these other youth, the situation must be made better -- now.

LGB youth really, really need to hear about the good stuff. Because while it's not awesome to be queer in most places of the world yet, it's less and less scary and sucky than it used to be.

Against my better sonic judgment, I believe that artists such as Lady Gaga have the electromagnetism to gift my gay brothers and sisters with the inspiration and tools they need to cultivate self-love and respect.