The bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students is a severe, nationwide problem – one made more difficult by the reluctance of many school districts to take strong steps to prevent it. Nearly nine out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment in 2009, according to a survey by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which sponsors the National Day of Silence.

Battling the 'homosexual agenda,' the hard-line religious right has made a series of incendiary claims. But they're just not true.