Sexual Orientation Bullying within Schools Can Hinder Academic Achievement

October 31, 2008 - A new report released by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLESN) not only shows that the majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in the U.S. feel unsafe within their schools, but also that being harassed causes them to miss school days and have lower educational aspirations and academic achievement. 

The 2007 report presents results from the National School Climate Survey (NSCS), which GLESN has been conducting every two years since 1999 to document the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in America’s schools. 

The report shows that nearly nine-tenths of students reported being verbally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation, and about two-thirds were verbally harassed due to their gender expression.  Almost half of students had been physically harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 3 in 10 students because of their gender expression.  Moreover, 22.1% reported being physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and 14.2% because of their gender expression. 

Notably, the majority of students who were harassed or assaulted in school did not report the incident to school staff, believing little to no action would be taken or the situation could become worse.  In fact, nearly a third of the students who reported an incident said that school staff did nothing in response. 

What are some of the consequences caused by such a climate?  For one, absenteeism.  The report shows, for instance, that 31.7% of LGBT students missed a day of school due to feeling unsafe, compared to only 4.5% of a national sample of secondary students.  In addition, it can hinder academic success and educational aspirations.  In the report, the percentage of LGBT students who did not plan to pursue any type of post-secondary education was almost twice that of a national sample of students (12.4% versus 6.6%).  Also, students that were often harassed in school because of their sexual orientation or gender expression were more likely than other students to report that they did not plan to pursue a college education.  Another example includes grade point average: students who were more frequently harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender expression had almost half a grade lower than students who were less often harassed. 

So what are some plausible solutions to this situation?  According to the report, solutions include:

• Establishing Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) or similar student clubs that can promote respect for all members of the school community and provide critical support to LGBT students and their allies;
• Having supportive educators who intervene when they hear and see anti-LGBT harassment; and
• Developing and implementing school policies that directly address anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.

In addition, it is imperative that those involved advocate for comprehensive safe school and anti-discrimination legislation at the state and federal level; provide training for school staff to improve rates of intervention and increase the number of supportive staff; and increase student access to appropriate and accurate information regarding LGBT people, history and events. 

To access the full report, click here. 

Source: 2007 National School Climate Survey: Executive Summary, GLESN, October 8, 2008.