Gay teens report
high rate of harassment in school

An unsettling number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens are being bullied at school due to their sexual orientation--and they do not feel safe, says a new study released Thursday by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. The national survey--of more than 3,400 students between the ages of 13 and 18--found that LGBT students are three times more likely as non-LGBT students to say that they do not feel safe at school. A stunning 90% say they have been harassed or assaulted during the past year. In addition, 33% of respondents reported that students are frequently harassed because they are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual. "This study clearly illustrates the prevalence of bullying and harassment in America's schools and that students who experience harassment are more likely to miss classes, which can impact a student's ability to learn," Kevin Jennings, founder and executive director of GLSEN, said in a statement. "It also shows how having antiharassment policies in schools--particularly those policies that include sexual orientation or gender identity/expression--can be associated with students feeling safer at school."

The online survey, conducted between January 13 and January 31, also included responses from 1,000 teachers. It was conducted by Harris Interactive. Other findings include: --65% of teens report that they have been verbally or physically harassed or assaulted during the past year because of their perceived or actual appearance, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, race/ethnicity, disability, or religion. --85% of secondary school teachers agree that they have an obligation to ensure a safe learning environment for LGBT students. --57% of students who experience harassment in school, regardless of demographics or reasons for the harassment, never report these incidents of harassment to teachers or other school personnel. "This is the first national survey on bullying in America's schools that includes anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. It is particularly striking that this type of harassment is only second to physical appearance in terms of severity and frequency for students overall, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender expression," said Dana Markow, senior director of the Youth and Education Research Practice at Harris Interactive. (Chad Graham, Advocate.com)