Immediately following the shootings at Columbine, a sophomore member of the soccer team said this about the shooters: “They’re freaks. Nobody really liked them, just ‘cause they ---. The majority of them were gay. So everyone would make fun of them” (Columbine by Dave Cullen). Ironically, the killers, who were not gay, had “gays” and “fags” on their list of people who needed to be killed. In our ubiquitous media culture, gay children and teens are routinely exposed to these sanctioned assaults. Although educators do not have any direct effect on the onslaught of media messages, schools can and should provide both homosexual and heterosexual students the knowledge and skills needed to nurture the acceptance of one of the most oppressed minorities in our culture.
Unfortunately, many school environments provide little in the way of education and enlightenment on an issue affecting 5% —many sources say up to 10%--of our student body. Though acceptance of gay and lesbian students has improved, these students continue to be subjected to harassment that is both verbal and physical. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that “9 out of 10 secondary school principals report that their students have been harassed.
If 90% of gay and lesbian students have reported being harassed in school, it is important to look at the outcomes of this abuse. Statistical evidence provides overwhelming insight into the suffering of gay and lesbian students. Consider the following statistics from Youth Pride, Inc. (2009):
· 36.5 % of GLB youth grades 9-12 have attempted suicide --20.5% of those attempts resulting in medical care.
· 84% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed (name calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.
· 91.5% of LGBT students report hearing homophobic remarks, such as “faggot,” “dyke” or the expression “that’s so gay” frequently or often.
· 82.9% of LGBT students report that faculty or staff never intervened or intervened only some of the time when homophobic remarks were made.
These are only a few of the disturbing statistics related to gay teens.
They seem overwhelming; however, many schools are beginning to address the issue. One of the most encouraging changes is the growing number of Gay Straight Alliances in high schools and middle schools.
Of course, before we can implement these changes, we as educators must examine our own biases and prejudices. If we are truly committed to all of our students, we will strive to overcome any behavior that marginalizes any of our students. As we sensitize ourselves and educate ourselves, our ability to open up and embrace our students of diversity will increase. We can learn to stand beside all of our students, even those that are gay or lesbian and authentically advocate for their success in school as well as in life.
Unfortunately, many school environments provide little in the way of education and enlightenment on an issue affecting 5% —many sources say up to 10%--of our student body. Though acceptance of gay and lesbian students has improved, these students continue to be subjected to harassment that is both verbal and physical. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that “9 out of 10 secondary school principals report that their students have been harassed.
If 90% of gay and lesbian students have reported being harassed in school, it is important to look at the outcomes of this abuse. Statistical evidence provides overwhelming insight into the suffering of gay and lesbian students. Consider the following statistics from Youth Pride, Inc. (2009):
· 36.5 % of GLB youth grades 9-12 have attempted suicide --20.5% of those attempts resulting in medical care.
· 84% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed (name calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.
· 91.5% of LGBT students report hearing homophobic remarks, such as “faggot,” “dyke” or the expression “that’s so gay” frequently or often.
· 82.9% of LGBT students report that faculty or staff never intervened or intervened only some of the time when homophobic remarks were made.
These are only a few of the disturbing statistics related to gay teens.
They seem overwhelming; however, many schools are beginning to address the issue. One of the most encouraging changes is the growing number of Gay Straight Alliances in high schools and middle schools.
Of course, before we can implement these changes, we as educators must examine our own biases and prejudices. If we are truly committed to all of our students, we will strive to overcome any behavior that marginalizes any of our students. As we sensitize ourselves and educate ourselves, our ability to open up and embrace our students of diversity will increase. We can learn to stand beside all of our students, even those that are gay or lesbian and authentically advocate for their success in school as well as in life.
