ALGBTICAL

FACTS & STATS

Info About LGBT Youth

According a survey of high school students in Alabama, high school students are subjected to homophobic and gender identity harassment and discrimination.

49% of the participants said they had heard homophobic statements at school.

59% said they had been verbally harassed at school.

22% said they had been physically harassed at school.

60% said they had been unable to concentrate in class.

36% had experienced the lowering of grades.

49% reported self-harming thoughts.

43% reported thoughts of suicide.

LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT and those who are friends, allies, and relatives of LGBT individuals are at risk for…

Social isolation

Lowered academic performance

Depression

Higher dropout rates

Suicide

Destructive acting-out behavior

Homelessness

Increased economic hardship

Substance abuse

Alabama law mandates that sex education programs in public schools included the statement “homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.”

While Alabama’s sodomy law was invalidated by the U. S. Supreme Court decision in the Lawrence v. Texas case in 2003, it has been used as a rationale for the retention of discrimination practices against sexual minority youth.

SAFE SPACE PROGRAM

GLSEN Fights Anti-Gay Bullying

November 2010

As a response to the epidemic of LGBT bullying, and bullying that directly contributes to suicide, individuals and organizations are feverishly stepping up efforts to reach out to LGBT youth. Recently, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) launched their Safe Space Campaign, an effort to promote support for LGBT middle school and high school students. The campaign’s goal is to put a Safe Space Kit in every single middle and high school in the United States.

The Safe Space Kit contains stickers and posters, a guide with steps for staff members to take to build support for LGBT students and prevent anti-gay bullying and harassment. Chely Wright, the country singer who made history this year when she came out of the closet, has stepped up to the plate as the Safe Space Campaign spokesperson. Several other celebrities have also voiced their support of the Safe Space Campaign.

The campaign resembles a similar campaign at my alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, and many other universities across the country -- Safezone. The Safezone program required interested students and staff to undergo a training program in LGBT sensitivity, as well as how to help LGBT students. Upon completion of the program, each person received their own Safezone sticker, which they could put on their dorm room door to let others know that they’re LGBT-friendly.

Similarly to how the Safezone sticker symbolized support for LGBT people, staff members undertaking GLSEN's program will be able to show support for LGBT students through their Safe Space stickers. Offering these safe, supportive environments in middle schools and high schools will help LGBT students feel like they are not alone and will make them feel more safe at school.

(From Jordan Rubenstein)

LINKS:

Gay Rights: GLSEN Fights Ant-Gay Bullying
GLSEN Safe Space Campaign

The ASSC will work with individuals, organizations, and school systems committed to protecting our youth. The ASSC advocates the creation and implementation of comprehensive and inclusive nondiscrimination and anti-bullying policies protecting all students, including sexual minority students.

Where there is no protection and where there is fear or misinformation, the ASSC seeks to provide the impetus and resources needed to make Alabama schools safe learning environments for all students.