Bullying

The Issue  

Across the country, many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) youth feel unsafe at school. Roughly 95% of LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks at school.[1] In the 2021-2022 academic year, 83.1% of LGBTQ+ students experienced in person harassment or assault [1]. Unfortunately, only 12% of LGBTQ students across the country attend schools that have comprehensive anti-bullying policies that specifically enumerate both sexual orientation and gender expression.[1]  Research supports that LGBTQ+ students who attend schools with comprehensive anti-bullying policy report decreased rates of bullying, were less likely to miss school, and were more likely to feel part of their school community.

The Effect  

LGBTQ+ students who experience discrimination and bullying at school have worse educational and mental health outcomes (1). LGBTQ+ students are more likely to have missed school, perform poorer academically, and report higher levels of depression (1). The impact of unsafe school doesn’t just impact students now, but has lasting effects on their education. LGBTQ+ students were twice as likely to report they did not plan on pursuing post-secondary education compared to students who experienced lower levels of victimization (1). Bullying not only impacts students academics, but also their mental health. LGBTQ students who reported being bullied in the past year had three times greater odds of attempting suicide in the past year (5).

The Solution

Anti-bullying state laws that enumerate sexual orientation have been shown to be associated with lower risks of suicide attempts and serious attempts requiring medical attention (7). Youth in states with enumerated status also reported feeling safer at school. While all states have general anti bullying laws, evidence has shown the positive impact of specific enumeration. Enumeration in anti bullying policies also has the potential to have a positive impact on other marginalized youth by preventing harassment on the basis of skin color and religious background as well. 

The Youth Pride Association currently operates several programs that work with school administrators to accomplish a safe, and supportive environment for LGBTQ students. YPA also operates educational programs aimed at supporting students through evidence-based education. It is vital that schools foster a positive and safe environment for all students. Through a positive school climate, the success of all students can be ensured no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Additional Resources

Youth.gov - Being an Ally
PFLAG - Allies
HRC - Being a LGBTQ Ally

References

[1] https://www.glsen.org/research/2024-national-school-climate-survey

[2] https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Impact-LGBT-Discrimination-PA-Nov-2021.pdf 

[3] https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/Pennsylvania-Snapshot-2019.pdf 

[4] https://maps.glsen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GLSEN_2021_NSCS_State_Snapshots_PA.pdf  

[5] https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Trevor-Project-Bullying-Research-Brief-October-2021.pdf 

[6] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/su/pdfs/su6901-H.pdf 

[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6555145/pdf/lgbt.2018.0194.pdf