Reply #3: These "authority figures" need to be educated

[siligut]

More from the article:

"Authority figures ill-at-ease with homosexuality may feel that the non-exclusively heterosexual youth's transgression may be more indicative of the youth being 'out of control' since they consider that his/her sexuality is also a transgression," Igartua said in an e-mail. "In this case, they may feel that more sanctions are needed to attempt to steer the youth 'back' to more 'normal' behaviors."

The teen years are hard enough. Dr. Karine Igartua, goes on to say she believes that they aren't being consciously biased. Education is needed to help everyone recognize that "the norm" is much broader than previously thought/taught.