Recently, public school officials in Chicago requested approval for a "gay-friendly" high school because so many LGBT students miss or quit high school to avoid harassment and / or violence.

The proposed school would not reject "straight" students, but would ensure a welcoming and safe environment for gay and lesbian students.

The Milwaukee Alliance School is a charter high school that provides a safe environment for students that are not suceeding in traditional high schools because of harassment, bullying or abuse. Many of the students at the Alliance School identify themselves as LGBT.

What do you think about this idea? Sound-off, Milwaukee, about your thoughts on gay-friendly high schools.

Yes, Milwaukee needs to open a gay-friendly high school. Studies show that gay and lesbian students are three times as likely to cut class or drop out of high school, not because of academics, but because of harassment. At the very least, students need to feel safe at school, so they can learn enough to be a success in life.  Knowledge is power, and minority kids -- all minority kids -- need both to succeed in a biased world.

No, this is not necessary. Lots of teens get picked on in high school for all different reasons, and most of the targeted kids don't get their own school because of it. Learning to deal with adversity is part of the adolescent experience, and allowing these kids to live inside a bubble isn't going to help them in the real world. Prejudice exists, and the sooner young people learn to deal with it, the stronger they will be in their adult life.