Education
In a 2021 survey of LGBTQ+ students, 68% of LGBTQ+ students reported feeling unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. 32.2% of LGBTQ+ students missed at least one entire day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable with 11.3% missing four or more days in the past month. Beyond climate, the majority of LGBTQ+ students (58.9%) had experienced discriminatory policies or practices at school.
The results of a hostile school climate affect students’ academic success and mental health. LGBTQ+ students who felt lower levels of belonging performed poorer academically. Students who experienced higher levels of victimization reported higher levels of depression. And, half (51.5%) indicated that they were considering dropping out of school because of their hostile school climate.
What LGBTQIA+ students need in schools:
- Supportive educators who foster LGBTQIA+ inclusive school environments
- Inclusive curriculum that offers support not only to LGBTQIA+ students, but raises awareness of all students
- LGBTQIA+ -inclusive policies
- Student-led clubs such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances
Educational outcomes are one of the biggest predicators of health and economic stability. Our LGBTQIA+ students deserve to have a place to learn, thrive, and meet their full potential.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Read:
- Eesha Pendharker, What School Is Like for LGBTQ Students, By the Numbers. Education Week. (October 25, 2022). [4 min read]
- Ashley Mowreader, 5 Ways Colleges Are Promoting LGBTQ+ Student Belonging, Inclusion. Inside Higher Ed. (June 21, 2023) [3 minute read]
- Native and Indigenous LGBTQ Youth in US Schools. GLSEN. 2020. [30 minute read]
- For educators: LaMar Timmons-Long. The Time is NOW: Affirming Black Queer Youth. NCTE. (May 24, 2019).
- For educators: Five Ways to Support Your LGBTQ+ Students. NEA Today. (June 7, 2023) [9 minute read]
Watch:
- How to Support Transgender Students. GLSEN. (November 13, 2017) [3 minute watch]
- Trans Students in Higher Ed: Current Challenges and Pathways to Inclusion. The Williams Institute. (May 4, 2023) [58 minute watch]
- LGBT High School Students Share Their Experiences. GLSEN. (October 4, 2013) [3 minute watch]
- GLSEN’s Changing the Game Launch. GLSEN. (August 30, 2021) [16 minute watch]
Discuss:
- How were LGBTQIA+ students included or not during your school years (consider social, academic, extra-curricular inclusion)? If you’re struggling to answer this question, why might that be?
- Is the data related to LGBTQIA+ school climate surprising to you? What stood out to you?
- What are a few things you can do to better support an LGBTQIA+ youth in your life?
