The document discusses several issues related to addressing LGBTQ issues in schools. It outlines statistics showing high rates of bullying, harassment, and safety concerns among LGBTQ youth. It also discusses a lack of legal protections and inclusive policies. The document promotes establishing Gay-Straight Alliances to create safe spaces and increase belonging. It argues LGBTQ issues should be included in sex education to provide health information and a sense of identity.

1. Addressing LGBTQ
Issues in Schools
Brianne Mack
Tawny Sammons
Rachel Zuroff
Cody Lang

2. The Gay Stigma

3. What does it mean to be
LGBT?

4. The Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell

5. Bullying of LGBT Students.
O 85% of LGBT youth have been verbally harassed
O 40% of LGBT youth have been physically assaulted in the past
year
O 92% of middle and high school students have frequently heard
homophobic remarks in school
O 99.4% heard these remarks from other students
O 63% heard these remarks from school faculty
O 30% of LGBT students have skipped at least one day of school
in the past month because of safety concerns (compared to
6.7% of heterosexual students)
O 45% of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth have attempted suicide
(compared to 8% of heterosexual youth)
O 30% of 7th grade students claim they would not remain friends
with someone who came out as gay
O 45% of 7th graders would prefer to go to a school with no gay or
lesbian students

6. Bullying of LGBT Students
O Only 16 states prohibit discrimination or harassment
in schools based upon sexual orientation.
O 33 states have anti-bullying laws that explicitly do not
protect LGBT students
O In a study of comprehensive anti-bullying programs
in middle and high schools, none covered issues
regarding sexual orientation and homophobia.

7. Gay Straight Alliance Network
•Goal: provide a safe and supportive
environment for students in the
LGBTQ community.
•Currently, there are 33 states with a
GSA network.
•They participate in national
campaigns to raise awareness,
such as the Day of Silence, National
Coming Out Day, No Name Calling
Week.
In 2008, there were over 4000
registered GSA’s.

8. Gay Straight Alliance Network
• LGBT students feel safer at school, skip
school less and have a greater sense of
belonging when their school has a GSA
• GSAs provide significant opportunities for
youth leadership development and more
opportunities for involvement for these students
in the school
• GSAs give a more positive
school environment

9. LGBT-friendly Sex Education
O LGBT issues ignored
O The same risks still apply
O Transgendered students should have access
to health information
O Viewed as a criticism of abstinence-only
curricula
O How can you wait for marriage if you are not
legally allowed to marry in your state?
O Parents can exempt their child from sex-ed

10. LGBT-friendly Sex Education
O Available information reduces greater
risks
O Opponents fear “encouragement” of
homosexual behavior
O Open discussion leads to a better sense
of individual identity
O References:
O Lee, Carol (2002-02-10). "Gay Teens
Ignored by High School Sex Ed Classes".
WeNews.