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Healthy Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students Project
    		• About the HLGBSP
    		• Search the HLGBSP Database
    		• School Health Professionals We Assist
    		• LGB Student Health Risks
    		• HLGBSP School Climate Information
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    School Climate ....

    schclimate.jpg

    All students, including lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth, deserve the right to a school environment that is safe and conducive for learning to occur. However, there is evidence that significant challenges remain for creating positive school climates for LGB youth. For example:

    97% of high school students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks.(Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Report of the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, 1993.)

    One study found 18.4% of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual students had been in a physical fight resulting in treatment by a doctor or nurse compared to 4% of their peers, and 22.2% skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe on route to or at school, compared to 4.2% of their peers. (Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Massachusetts Department of Education, 1997)

    In a national survey, youth described being called lesbian or gay as the most deeply upsetting form of sexual harassment they experienced. (American Association of University Women, 1993)

    The Healthy LGB Students Project is planning on developing materials for school leaders on how they can improve the climate of the nation’s schools for LGB students. In addition, there are several policies and resources regarding LGB youth and school climate that are available on-line:

    Policies:

    American Federation of Teachers. (1990). Educational Equity for Sexual Minorities. Adopted by the Delegates of the Convention. For more information about this document, contact the American Federation of Teachers

    American Federation of Teachers. (1994). Rights of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People. Adopted by the Delegates of the Convention. For more information about this document, contact the American Federation of Teachers

    American Federation of Teachers. (1996). Safety in All Schools. Adopted by the Delegates of the Convention. For more information about this document, contact the American Federation of Teachers

    The Professional School Counselor and the Sexual Orientation of Youth. American School Counselor Association. (1995). Adopted by the Delegate Assembly.

    American School Health Association. (1994). Gay and Lesbian Youth in School. Adopted by the Board of Directors. For more information about this document, contact the American School Health Association

    Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression Position Statement. National Association of School Nurses. (2003, June). Adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Position Statement on Sexual Minority Youth. National Association of School Psychologists. (1999). Adapted by the NASP Delegate Assembly.

    Non-Discrimination Belief and Policy of the National School Boards Association     [.pdf 471kb] Requires Adobe Acrobat free download. National School Boards Association. (2004). Adopted by the Delegate Assembly.

    School Social Work Association of America (2001) Resolutions Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth. Approved by the Board of Directors. For more information contact the School Social Work Association of America.

    Resources:

    Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel. A booklet for school personnel developed and endorsed by numerous mental health and teachers’ professional organizations.

    Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Back-to-School Kit. This kit gives resources on promoting safer schools for lesbian and gay students. The Kit highlights trends, action steps, and resources for securing fair treatment for lesbian and gay youth.

    GLSEN’s Guide to Discrimination and Harassment Policies in Schools. This webpage gives basic information on considering the how-to’s of helping to protect gay and lesbian youth from harassment in schools based on effective policy.

    PFLAG’s From Our House to the School House: A Recipe for Safe Schools. This resource helps you conduct an assessment on school safety for LGB youth in your local school or district.

    The American Civil Liberties Union Lesbian and Gay Rights Project seeks to address efforts to help schools address homophobia before it occurs and escalates. Information is available on tips for schools and community, statistics on gay youth, and how to contact the ACLU for help and information.

    New!The National School Boards Association and twelve other participating organizations have created "Dealing With Legal Matters Surrounding Students' Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity"     [.pdf 409kb] Requires Adobe Acrobat free download


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