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)
