Edutopia - February/March 2008 - (Page 57) Scared not to be straight Gay students seek protection from bullies. By Matthew S. Robinson ome of us—labeled too short, too been physically harassed because of their sexuheavy, not cool, or overly nerdy— al identity. know what it is to be teased or bullied “This is not a fringe issue that affects a few at school. Some derision can be kids,” says Kevin Jennings, founder and execushrugged off, but when harassment becomes tive director of GLSEN, a national organization the defining element of academic life, it is for gay and straight students as well as supportessential to have somewhere to turn or some- ers and school administrators. “It is a problem one to rely on. at the center of bullying and harassment in For Elizabeth, a bisexual teen from schools.” Reg Weaver, president of the National Maryland who wishes to remain anonymous, Education Association, says on the topic, “It is life at school was misery. “My freshman year, absolutely critical that the school environment only once did a teacher ever stop someone say- is conducive to learning. To the extent that ing, ‘That’s so gay!’” she recalls. “No one ever does not happen, we need to take steps to try to stopped the kids.” Not knowing how or where ensure that for all kids.” to find help, Elizabeth became discouraged. “I Though school presents challenges to all didn’t talk to as many people as I might have,” students, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenshe admits, “because I didn’t want to get to der students face many pressures and problems know somebody who wouldn’t accept me if I their fellow students do not. As a result, the were gay.” GLSEN survey found, the In a recent national surLGBT students are five IT’S ELEMENTARY vey of more than 3,400 gay times more likely to skip Learn how to discuss gay issues at www.edutopia.org/gay-issues-classroom and straight students and school and are only half as 1,000 educators, 65 perlikely to pursue postseccent reported verbal abuse or physical assaults ondary education, mainly because, like rooted in homophobia and prejudice in the last Elizabeth, they feel alienated and unsafe. year. Commissioned by the Gay, Lesbian and The survey also notes that the average Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the grade-point average for LGBT students who Harris Interactive Survey also indicated that 84 were harassed was half a grade lower than percent of those surveyed reported hearing that of other LGBT students (2.6 versus 3.1). derogatory remarks such as “faggot” or “dyke” In fact, many simply do not attend as many at school, and nearly 70 percent reported hear- classes even when they are enrolled. “There ing “gay” used in a derogatory manner. Almost are a whole range of bad outcomes education38 percent of students polled said that they had ally,” Jennings says. “The climate is a direct “frequently or often” been subjected to harass- result of the failure of policy makers to deal ment at school and one-fourth said they had with it.” S EDUTOPIA.ORG EDUTOPIA 57 http://www.edutopia.org/gay-issues-classroom http://EDUTOPIA.ORG
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