Making Schools Safe for LGBT Students: GLSEN’s Safe Space Kit Insert Date and Location Here Insert Presenter Name and Chapter Here

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.1 What is GLSEN? GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people.

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.2 What is GLSEN?

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.3 To promote visible support for LGBT students in middle and high schools For educators – to help them educate themselves and others about the issues and how to respond Kits includes Guide,10 stickers and 2 posters Safe Space Kit

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.4 Safe Space Kit Campaign To place a Safe Space Kit in every middle and high school in the country Kits distributed in via underwriting from Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL. Thank You!

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.5 Safe Space Kit Don’t Forget to Register Your Kit! safespace.glsen.org/register or send in postcard!

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.6 Safe Space Kit

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.7 Safe Space Kit

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.8 Know The Issues What is an Ally? Why is it important to be an Ally to LGBT students?

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.9 Know The Issues 2009 National School Climate Survey Biennial survey first conducted in 1999 Documents the experiences of LGBT students in U.S. schools

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.10 Know The Issues

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.11 Know The Issues 61.1% of LGBT students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation; 39.9% felt unsafe because of their gender expression. Nearly a third missed class at least once in the last month (29.1%) and missed at least one day of school (30.0%).

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.12 Know The Issues Dani R from Michigan writes... “I feel so unsafe when I'm at school. I hear the word "gay" used as an insult so often, I always feel like there's something wrong with me even though I know there isn't.”

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.13 Know The Issues Sexual orientation and gender expression were the most commonly targeted characteristics. 4 in 5 students were verbally harassed (84.6%) 2 in 5 were physically harassed (40.1%) 1 in 5 were physically assaulted (18.8%) Because of their sexual orientation.

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.14 Know The Issues Lexa J writes... “In 8th grade, I was sitting in Career class, and my teacher was doing whatever in her corner of the room as always, letting us be free amongst ourselves. Well, as usual, the class was kinda rowdy, and she did nothing to stop it. A boy, who was always kinda rude and belligerent came over and poked me, asking why i was lesbian. I said 'It's the way I was born' And proceeded to do my work. Well, this kid starts hitting me with his jacket, saying WHY ARE YOU A LESBIAN, LESBIANS ARE GROSS? Tears flooded my eyes, and I stood up. He jumped on my back (he was kind of short, I'm stocky) and he started laughing. I pushed him off and just walked away, but he started following me. I walked straight over to the teacher, who ONLY yelled at him for hitting me, and then she told us to go sit back down. she never had him apologize or anything.”

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.15 Know The Issues The majority (62.4%) of students never reported incidents of harassment or assault to school staff. Most common reason for not reporting to school staff: Doubted that staff would effectively address situation (39.6%). “I never reported being harassed or assaulted to a teacher or staff person because they would not have done anything about it.” (Female student, 9 th grade, SC)

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.16 Know The Issues 2 in 3 students were verbally harassed (63.7%) 1 in 3 were physically harassed (27.2%) 1 in 6 were physically assaulted (12.5%) Because of their gender expression. Sexual orientation and gender expression were the most commonly targeted characteristics.

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.17 Know The Issues Rey from Georgia writes… “While I was in middle school, most of the kids would walk up near me and whisper "Faggot.", "Queer" or "Homo." so I could hear it and nobody else… I finally reached high school. I was in my World History class and one person asked if I was gay, I replied with "Yeah." And went back to my work, the WHOLE ENTIRE CLASSROOM except for my table flipped their lids. They sprang up from their seats and went to the opposite side of the room, sitting on tables … Nobody understands what its like to be a LGBT person. I've been verbally abused for years, but I haven't ever brought it to the attention of people. I've always been too scared to go to the administrators because then I'd become ‘The fag who cried to the administrators for help’"

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.18 Know The Issues Students who experienced high levels of harassment and assault had poorer educational outcomes and lower psychological well-being. Victimization ↓ Academic achievement ↓ Educational aspirations ↑ Missing school ↑ Missing school ↓ School belonging ↑ Anxiety ↓ Self-Esteem ↑ Depression

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.19 Know The Issues Kelly C from Virginia writes... “I came out as bisexual at school about 3 years ago and as soon as I did everyone flipped out. Many people called me a lesbo and a dyke. One person even went so far as to slam my head into a window. Then I began cutting myself. The kids at school not understanding and being really bad about it really messed up my mind. I cried myself to sleep many nights and I was ashamed of being who I was.”

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.20 Know The Issues GLSEN’s 4 recommendations for schools on how to address anti-LGBT bullying: Enumerated Policies Implement comprehensive anti-bullying policy that specifically includes protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression among a list of enumerated categories. Staff Development Staff trainings on how to address anti-LGBT bullying. Student Support Support for student interventions such as Gay-Straight Alliance student clubs and participation in events such as the Day of Silence. Inclusive Curriculum Positive representations of LGBT people, history, and events in school curriculum.

Copyright GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.21 Educate and Advocate

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