LGBT Youth Face Pervasive, Decreasing Harassment
September 6, 2012
by PopDecay Staff
http://www.popdecay.com/2012/09/06/lgbt-youth-face-pervasive-decreasing-harassment/12847 (http://www.popdecay.com/2012/09/06/lgbt-youth-face-pervasive-decreasing-harassment/12847)
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NEW YORK – The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) released Wednesday its National School Climate Survey for 2011 which indicates that LGBT youths are faring better than they have in the past, though room for improvement prevails. According to the report, this year showed the first significant decline in victimization based on sexual orientation, but over 80% of LGBT students still report being verbally harassed at school and over 70% have heard homophobic slurs used at school "frequently or often." Transgender students faced the highest levels of harassment; just 4% of transgender students reported that they felt safe at school.
Nearly one third of LGBT students have reported skipping class or missing a full day of school at least once because of safety concerns. Students who are harassed at school are also more likely to report feeling depressed....
Students also report that being out at school is a double edged sword; although being out means they do not have to endure the stress of hiding a part of who they are, students who openly acknowledge their sexual orientation or gender identity report they are more likely to face victimization from their peers and sometimes school faculty and staff, who may discriminate against LGBT people.
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Full survey report: National School Climate Survey (http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2897.html)