LGBT students in the United States report high levels of victimization and discrimination, although things are slowly getting better, according to a new report.
GLSEN’s biannual National School Climate Survey was an online survey of 7,898 students between the ages of 13 and 21 (grades 6 to 12), from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and from 2,770 unique school districts. About two thirds (68.1%) were White, slightly less than half (43.6%) were cisgender female, and over half identiï¬ed as gay or lesbian (58.8%).
First, the good news. Verbal and physical harassment based on sexual orientation and gender expression were lower than in any year since the NSCS began in 1999, and physical assault has been decreasing since 2007. There has also been a steady decrease since 2001 in the frequency of hearing homophobic remarks at school, and more recently, in the frequency of hearing negative remarks about someone’s gender expression.
Nevertheless:
- Schools nationwide are hostile environments for a distressing number of LGBT students. Seventy-four percent were verbally harassed in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 55 percent because of their gender expression. As a result of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable, 30 percent missed at least one day of school in the past month.
- A hostile school climate affects students’ academic success and mental health. LGBT students who experience victimization and discrimination at school have worse educational outcomes and poorer psychological well-being. Grade point averages for these students were between nine and 15 percent lower than for others.
- Students with LGBT-related resources and supports report better school experiences and academic success. LGBT students in schools with an LGBT-inclusive curriculum were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation (35 percent vs. 60 percent). Unfortunately, only 19 percent of LGBT students were taught positive representations about LGBT people, history or events.
- School climate for LGBT students has improved somewhat over the years, yet remains quite hostile for many. Increases in the availability of many LGBT-related school resources, due in part to efforts by GLSEN and other safe school advocates, may be having a positive effect on the school environment. LGBT students reported a lower incidence of homophobic remarks than ever before — from over 80 percent hearing these remarks regularly in 2001 to about 60 percent now.
Back to some good news:
There has been an increase over time in the presence of several LGBT-related resources and supports in school, speciï¬cally:
- Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or other student clubs that address LGBT issues in education;
- School staff who are supportive of LGBT students;
- Access to LGBT-related Internet resources through school computers;
- Positive representations of LGBT people, history, and events in the curriculum; and
- Comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies that include speciï¬c protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
Going forward, GLSEN recommends support for more of the above, as well as policies and practices, such as those related to dress codes and school dances, do not discriminate against LGBT students (in addition to anti-bullying/harassment policies).
These actions are important, first and foremost for LGBT students, but also for any who may be perceived as LGBT, such as the children of LGBT parents (regardless of their own sexual orientations and gender identities). Safe schools for some make safe schools for all.