LGBTQ+ Community and Harassment

LGBTQ+ LESBIAN - Approximately 1.8% of American women self-identify as gay or lesbian GAY - Approximately 1.8% of American men identify as gay

LGBTQ+ BISEXUAL - Approximately 0.4% of American men identify as bisexual Approximately 0.9% of American women identify as bisexual TRANSGENDER - Approximately 0.3% of Americans identify as transgender, of this: About 0.2% of Americans identify as (MtF) transgender About 0.1% of Americans identify as (FtM) transgender

Harassment and Bullying

Top Reasons Why The LGBTQ+ Community Suffers Religion Sexism/ Misogyny Cultural Customs/ Beliefs Reproduction Misunderstanding http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-viral-videos-2015_us_56820e17e4b014efe0d92148

Bullying in the HS According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s new report, “Teasing to Torment: School Climate Revisited,” LGBT youth in middle and high school have lower grades, more attendance problems, and are less likely to complete high school than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Many experience long-term emotional effects from the bullying, harassment, and anti-LGBT bias they face as students. Life may have gotten better for many in the LGBT community in the last decade, but for LGBT youth in middle and high school, there is much room for improvement.  LGBT secondary-school students experience higher rates of bullying based on not only their sexual orientation and gender identity, but also their appearance and body size. They’re also more likely to experience sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and property damage, among other forms of intimidation and abuse.

Studies Studies show that between 78 percent and 86 percent of LGBT students experience verbal harassment in their schools because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Nearly a quarter of LGBT students report being physically attacked in school. These acts of bullying were not only student-to-student incidents: In a national survey, nearly a third of transgender respondents reported being verbally harassed by teachers or staff in a K-12 school, 5 percent reported being physically assaulted by these adults, and 3 percent reported being sexually assaulted. http://www.hrc.org/youth-report/view-and-share-statistics LGBT youth who are victims of bullying are at increased risk for depression and anxiety, and studies show other negative health outcomes as well  In a national survey of transgender adults, the long-term consequences of severe bullying were among the most alarming findings of the study. Nearly one-sixth of respondents who were out as transgender faced bullying so severe that it led them to leave school in grades K-12 or in higher-education settings. Of these individuals, nearly half reported experiencing homelessness Worse still, more than half of transgender people who faced harassment or violence in schools because of their gender identity reported attempting suicide, and this rate increased for individuals who faced physical or sexual violence from teachers or staff. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2013/05/29/64583/3-barriers-that-stand-between-lgbt-youth-and-healthier-futures/

Stats LGBT High School Students Share Their Experiences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAwJQYs7pKM

Microaggressions Stop Saying “That’s So Gay!”: 6 Types of Microaggressions That Harm LGBTQ People https://psychologybenefits.org/2014/02/07/anti-lgbt-microaggressions/

Dear Straight People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frn8TAlew0

What The LGBTQ+ Community Wants Equal Rights Nationwide and Worldwide Against denial of employment Against denial of housing Against denial of health care Custody of children Adoption rights Decriminalization Marriage Equality Decrease Verbal Abuse Hate Crimes Homelessness of teens

How To Be An Ally – or at least stand against bullies Educate yourself Acknowledging issues Be willing to listen Try to stand up for others