Gay youngsters are going public with their homosexuality at a younger age, according to a new report by the sexual advisory service Rutgers WPF on Tuesday.

Boys now come out at an average of 16.6 years of age, over a year younger than in 2005. Young lesbians go public just before they are 16, fractionally down on 2005.
The researchers said the increasing visibility of gay men and women is probably behind the change. ‘Soap operas more often have gay characters, and the teenagers’ boat during the Gay Pride festivities also contributes,’ said Rutger WPF’s Hanneke de Graaf.
Internet has also made it easier to find information, she said.
Seventeen
The survey, based on 8,000 responses, shows the average age Dutch teenagers first have sex has remained unchanged over the past few years at 17.
Around 87% of boys and 91% of girls use contraception the first time they have sex.
Some 40% of boys and 30% of girls said the first time was unexpected and 16% of boys and one-third of girls saying they had some form of regret about the experience.