Safe Place to Learn
Consequences of Harassment Based on Actual or
Perceived Sexual Orientation and Gender Non-Conformity
and Steps for Making Schools Safer
Summary Fact Sheet from a Report by the California Safe Schools Coalition and
the 4-H Center for Youth Development, University of California, Davis
This study examines school-based harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender non-
conformity and steps for improving school safety. It analyzes data from two sources: the broad-based 2001-2002
California Healthy Kids Survey, designed by WestEd under a contract with the California Department of Education,
and the 2003 Preventing School Harassment survey, carried out by the California Safe Schools Coalition in
partnership with Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Key findings
Harassment and bullying based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are pervasive, according to the
California Healthy Kids Survey.
7.5 percent of California students reported being harassed on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation: that
translates to over 200,000 middle school and high school students harassed every year.
Harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation has dangerous consequences for students,
according to data from the California Healthy Kids Survey.
Compared to students who were not harassed:
■
Students harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are more than three times as likely to carry a
weapon to school, to seriously consider suicide, to make a plan for attempting suicide or to miss at least one day of
school in the last 30 days because they felt unsafe.
■
Students harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are more than twice as likely to report depression
(feeling so sad and hopeless they stopped normal activities for two weeks), to use methamphetamines, or to use
inhalants.
■
Students harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation are also more likely to have low grades (Cs or below),
to be victims of violence, to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, binge drink, or use marijuana.
Harassment based on sexual
orientation is more frequent in
middle school than high school
8.1%
6.1%
7.3%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
7th Grade 9th Grade 11th Grade
Grade Level
Percent of students harassed based
on sexual orientation
Students harassed based on sexual
orientation are more likely to miss
school and have low grades
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
24%
17%
7%
27%
30%
Usual grades
C’s or below
Type of Risk
†Data on missing school are not directly comparable to
data on low grades
Students harassed based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation
Students not harassed
Missed school in last 30
days because felt unsafe †
School climates are unsafe for LGBT students, students perceived to be LGBT, and gender non-
conforming students, according to the Preventing School Harassment survey.
■
91 percent of students reported hearing students make negative comments based on sexual orientation.
44 percent reported hearing teachers make negative comments based on sexual orientation.
■
46 percent of students said their schools were not safe for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) students.
■
Two out of every three students who identified as LGBT reported being harassed based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation.
■
School climates are also unsafe for gender non-conforming students. 53 percent of students said their
schools were unsafe for “guys who aren’t as masculine as other guys,” and 34 percent said their schools
were unsafe for “girls who aren’t as feminine as other girls.” 27 percent of students reported being
harassed for gender non-conformity.
Schools can take steps to improve safety and health for all students, according to the
Preventing School Harassment (PSH) survey.
The PSH survey reveals that specific steps schools can
take that are related to a more positive overall school
climate, lower rates of harassment based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation and gender non-
conformity, and stronger student resilience.
■
Local school officials and school administrators
should establish and publicize district policies
prohibiting harassment based on sexual orientation
and gender, including gender identity, appearance
and behavior; ensure that all school staff are trained
to prevent and respond to harassment; support the
formation of Gay-Straight Alliances or similar clubs;
and treat all forms of harassment and discrimination
as serious and preventable.
■
Teachers and school staff can make schools safer
by responding to slurs and negative comments, by
sharing with students where to go for information
about sexual orientation and gender identity, and
by including LGBT people and information about
sexual orientation and gender identity in the
curriculum.
The full Safe Place to Learn report is available at
www.casafeschools.org.
For more information, contact
Molly O’Shaughnessy at (415) 626-1680.
➜➜
➜➜
STEPS Schools Can Take
■
Establish and publicize a harassment policy that specifically includes
sexual orientation and gender, including gender identity, appearance,
and behavior.
■
Train teachers and staff to intervene when they hear slurs or
negative comments based on sexual orientation or gender
non-conformity.
■
Support the establishment of a Gay-Straight Alliance or similar
student club.
■
Ensure that students know where to go for information and support
related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
■
Introduce curriculum that includes LGBT people and information
about sexual orientation and gender identity.
OUTCOMES for Students
and School Environment
■
Fewer incidents of harassment and bullying.
■
Fewer bias-related comments and less name-calling.
■
Greater feelings of safety.
■
Improved connections to school, community, and supportive adults
