The Issues:
Youth Issues

GLSEN'S 2005 SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY

In 2005, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) prepared a report on the experiences of LGBT youth in our schools. On this page we summarize some of their key findings.

Three quarters of students heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or often at school.
Nine out of ten reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" -- meaning stupid or worthless -- frequently or often.
Over a third of students experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a quarter on the basis of their gender expression.
Nearly one-fifth of students had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression.

LGBT students were five times more likely to report having skipped school in the last month because of safety concerns than the general population of students.
LGBT students who experience more frequent physical harassment were more likely to report they did not plan to go to college. Overall, LGBT students were twice as likely as the general population of students to report they were not planning to pursue any post-secondary education.
The average GPA for LGBT students who were frequently physically harassed was half a grade lower than that of LGBT students experiencing less harassment (2.6 versus 3.1).

The presence of supportive staff contributed to a range of positive indicators including greater sense of safety, fewer reports of missing days of school, and a higher incidence of planning to attend college.
Students in schools with a GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) were less likely to feel unsafe, less likely to miss school, and more likely to feel like they belonged at their school than students in schools with no such clubs.
Having a comprehensive policy was related to a lower incidence of hearing homophobic remarks and to lower rates of verbal harassment. Students at schools with inclusive policies also reported higher rates of intervention by school staff when homophobic remarks were made.