Bullying of LGBT Youth and Those Perceived as LGBT

What is bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children. It involves a real or perceived power imbalance, and the behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and kids who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, or those perceived as LGBT, may be teased and bullied by their peers. Educators, health professionals, parents, and other concerned adults can make a difference in the lives of LGBT youth. Often, bullying toward LGBT youth targets their nonconformity to gender norms. This may be sexual harassment covered under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Student and Teacher Attitudes

The following statistics were found in a 2005 Harris Interactive survey:¹

• A majority of youth know of LGBT classmates.
• More than one-third of teachers know of an LGBT student.
• Most teachers surveyed are committed to keeping LGBT students safe and creating school climates that are safe and supportive learning environments.

Effects of Anti-LGBT Bullying

Bullied LGBT youth, or youth perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, are more likely to skip school, smoke, use alcohol and drugs, or engage in other risky behaviors.^{2, 3} Lesbian, gay or bisexual youth are more than twice as likely as their peers to be depressed and think about or attempt suicide.⁴ The risks are the same whether youth are LGBT, are heterosexual but are wrongly perceived to be LGBT, or choose to hide their sexual orientations.

What Schools and Communities Can Do

Develop clear policies on bullying.

Schools can consider adding sexual orientation and gender identity to their bullying policies.⁵ Doing so tells students to treat everyone equally, regardless of their sexual orientation. According to the Harris Interactive survey, students from schools with clear policies on LGBT-related bullying¹

• Are less likely to report a serious harassment problem
• Report higher rates of feeling safe at school
• Are one-third less likely to skip a class

Schools with anti-bullying policies can consider making it clear that bullying based on sexual orientation is against school policy.¹

Train staff and volunteers in bullying prevention and intervention.

Schools, clubs, camps, after-school programs, summer programs, and other youth organizations can train staff and volunteers on bullying prevention and intervention.

Create safe environments for all children.

Schools and communities can create safe, nonbiased, and supportive environments for all children and youth, such as a gay–straight alliance (GSA). GSAs help create safer schools, and reduce the hazards and stresses for LGBT youth.⁶ According to the Equal Access Act, schools must allow these groups if they have other noncurricular clubs or groups.

Discuss bullying openly.

Adults can consider discussing concerns about LGBT-related bullying with youth. Parents and other adults may convey an attitude of indifference by avoiding the subject. Or worse, their silence may convey an unspoken acceptance of the bullying.⁷

These discussions should protect the youth's privacy. Be careful not to disclose or discuss issues around being LGBT with the youth's parents or anyone else.

Provide additional support.

When youth reveal same-sex attractions and relationships, this is an opportunity for health, medical, and school professionals to better inform and support sexual minority youth by linking them with community resources and helping to overcome the tensions of parents, families, and peers. Bullied LGBT youth may need additional support, such as access to qualified health care professionals with experience working with LGBT youth.^{8, 9}

Raise community awareness.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages pediatricians to discuss youth sexuality with community leaders. Specifically, pediatricians are encouraged to do the following:⁸

• Provide facts about sexual orientation in school and community libraries.
• Develop support groups for LGBT youth, their friends, and their parents.

References

1. Harris Interactive & Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). (2005). Link opens in a new windowFrom teasing to torment: School climate in America, a survey of students and teachers. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from Link opens in a new windowhttp://www.glsenboston.org/
2. Bontempo, D. E., & D'Augelli, A. R. (2002). Effects of at-school victimization and sexual orientation on lesbian, gay, or bisexual youths' health risk behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 30, 364–374.
3. Rivers, I., & D'Augelli, A. R. (2001). The victimization of lesbian, gay and bisexual youths. In A. R. D'Augelli & C. J. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay and bisexual identities and youth: Psychological perspectives (pp. 199–223). New York: Oxford University Press.
4. Russell, S. T. & Joyner, K. (2002). Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1276–1281.
5. Office of Civil Rights (OCR). (2010). Link opens in a new windowDear colleague letter: Harassment and bullying [Issued by Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights]. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.ed.gov/
6. Just the Facts Coalition. (1999). Link opens in a new windowJust the facts about sexual orientation & youth: A primer for principals, educators & school personnel. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from the American Psychological Association (APA) website: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.apa.org/
7. Ponton, L. (2001). Link opens in a new windowWhat does gay mean: How to talk with kids about sexual orientation and prejudice. San Francisco, CA: Horizons Foundation.
8. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2004). Sexual orientation and adolescents. Pediatrics, 113, 1827–1832.
9. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). (2006). Health risks and needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning adolescents [NAPNAP position paper]. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 20, 29A–30A. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2011.07.002

Additional Resources

• Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). (2015). Link opens in a new window2015 National School Climate Survey: LGBTQ students experience pervasive harassment and discrimination, but school-based supports can make a difference. New York: GLSEN. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.glsen.org/
• Partners Against Hate. (2003). Link opens in a new windowWhy you should take bullying seriously. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from Link opens in a new windowhttp://www.partnersagainsthate.org/
• Kim, R. (2009). A report on the status of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in education: Stepping out of the closet, into the light (p. 30). Washington, DC: National Education Association of the United States, Human and Civil Rights.