The most important thing we can do to keep our LGBT youth safe, is to inact protection in schools specific to the LGBT community. Bullying due to sexual orientation is discrimination, and it is against many state laws. It is also important to discuss bullying and the LGBT community openly in schools, and be clear about the consequences of harassing a student due to their sexual orientation/identity. We may not be able to change others' perspectives on the LGBT community, but we can make them understand that bullying is in no way tolerated, and serious action will be taken.
Below, we will take a look at the statistics and effects of bullying on the LGBT community.
-9 out of 10 LGBT students have experienced harassment at schools.
-More than 1/3 of LGBT youth have attempted suicide
-LGBT kids are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight peers.
-Lesbian and gay youth who openly admit to their same-sex orientations are at a higher risk of bias-related violence, including physical assaults. The hostilities they regularly confront often lead to dangerous behaviors and injurious outcomes, such as dropping out of school, abusing alcohol and illicit drugs, engaging in criminal activity, and running away from home.
-30% of all completed youth suicides are related to the issue of sexual identity.
-More than 64 percent of LGBT students say they feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation
-85% of teachers oppose integrating lesbian, gay and bisexual themes in their curricula. (making LGBT students feel unaccepted).
-Nearly 58% of LGBT students have had property stolen or deliberately damaged at school.
-Students hear anti-gay comments 25 times a day, and teachers fail to respond to these comments 97% of time time.
Below, we will take a look at the statistics and effects of bullying on the LGBT community.
-9 out of 10 LGBT students have experienced harassment at schools.
-More than 1/3 of LGBT youth have attempted suicide
-LGBT kids are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight peers.
-Lesbian and gay youth who openly admit to their same-sex orientations are at a higher risk of bias-related violence, including physical assaults. The hostilities they regularly confront often lead to dangerous behaviors and injurious outcomes, such as dropping out of school, abusing alcohol and illicit drugs, engaging in criminal activity, and running away from home.
-30% of all completed youth suicides are related to the issue of sexual identity.
-More than 64 percent of LGBT students say they feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation
-85% of teachers oppose integrating lesbian, gay and bisexual themes in their curricula. (making LGBT students feel unaccepted).
-Nearly 58% of LGBT students have had property stolen or deliberately damaged at school.
-Students hear anti-gay comments 25 times a day, and teachers fail to respond to these comments 97% of time time.
These numbers are alarming. Our children need to learn tolerance of those different than them. Ignorance is passed down from generation to generation, and it is important to teach acceptance in school if it is not being done at home. Without breaking the cycle of discrimination, our future generations will not move forward because of their unwillingness to accept. We cannot assume all children are accepting, as the statistics above show, that it is not true. Opposing any kind of curriculum about the LGBT community will only continue the vicious cycle of bullying in schools. If students are able to hear and see stories about the effects the bullying has on the LGBT community, then we may stand a chance at improving our nation as a whole.