It is estimated that up to 10% of the U.S. population is lesbian or gay. Being a member of a sexual minority group places youth at risk. Along with the challenges all adolescents deal with, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth must cope with prejudice, discrimination, and violence in schools or in their families. While mentoring programs and volunteers may be attentive to some of the circumstances that make youth's lives difficult or painful, many overlook the fact that a youth's sexuality may be causing him or her to feel isolated, threatened, and afraid. Many people feel uncomfortable dealing with the subject of lesbian and gay youth. This report describes the significant multiple obstacles confronting lesbian and gay youth that may restrict their chances for successful lives. Suggestions are given for mentoring programs so that youth will perceive them as a safe and welcoming place in which to participate. Implications for training mentors are also explored. A resource section lists further readings, videos, and curriculum material that may be used in a mentoring program. Nine appendixes provide further information, tips on working with gay youth, and questions for gay youth to think about. (Contains 17 Web sites and 19 references.) (JDM)