LGBT Community: Bullying Because Of Sexual Orientation

Unfortunately although our society is working towards becoming more accepting of the LGBT community there still are plenty reports of bullying and harassment of LGBT adolescents in the public school system. According to Roxane Gay's essay “nine out

“A lot of kids are bullied because of their sexual identity or expression. It's often the effeminate boys and the masculine girls, the ones who violate gender norms and expectations, who get bullied” says Dan Savage. Throughout society, there are expectations for many of the people to achieve, but for many people, these norms can cause people to hide their true selves and become someone they are not. It can also cause unequal treatment to those who do not fit the same picture that society wants. Many individuals are filled with the fear that they will be outcasts in society, this fear can lead to unfortunate consequences and inaccurate judgements.

There were kids in the school that would make fun of her because of how she was. The teachers did not do anything about it, they just ignored it.” (E. Landa, personal communications, March 1 2017) I believe that middle school is the time that teachers should reach out to their students and try to connect with them. It is hard for a student to reach out to a teacher for help if the teacher hasn’t made an effort to make themselves available for their students. Should a teacher foster a healthy and open relationship with a student they are then better able to help the student who is being bullied. It shouldn’t matter the gravity of the bullying, whether it is because of how they dress, the way they look or if they identify as LGBTQ because these negative experience causes a student to feel rejected and could lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. Munoz-Plaza, Quinn, and Rounds (2002) state “Research has consistently shown that LGBT youth particularly at risk for suicide, as well as verbal and physical harassment, substance abuse, sexually transmitted disease, homelessness and prostitution, and declining school performance.” (Munoz-Plaza et al 2002) This conveys that people that are bullied or left out because of who they are, are mostly likely to fall into depression. LGBTQ cases are ignored by teachers because they might

Various interventions implemented within the school setting have shown to improve the social environment for the LGBTQ population. A report by the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University traced the effects of LGBTQ bullying in a school setting included unintentional statements like “that’s so gay,” or more direct verbal harassment, and physical violence in school hallways (Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2011, p. 225). The data from the project’s survey of 245 LGBTQ adolescents links bullying to long-term health and developmental problems. It was discovered that LGBTQ targeted bullying related to gender expression or sexual orientation during school years led to increased adolescent depression, suicidal thoughts, social adjustment issues and risky sexual behavior (Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2011, p. 225). LGBTQ adolescents that reported high levels of anti-LGBTQ victimization as teens were 5.6 times more likely to report suicide attempts than those victimized less frequently. Those who reported suicide attempts were more than double as likely to be diagnosed clinically depressed, and they were more than twice as likely to report having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease by young adulthood. In the paragraphs to come we will examine how bullying impacts

Nine out of 10 people in the LGBTQ community across the country have experienced bullying, according to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).

Most LGBT youth become happy with who they are which gives them room to thrive during their adolescent years. Attending a school that has a safe and comfortable environment for every student is especially important. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some youths are more likely than their straight peers to experience bad health and life outcomes. Experiences with violence, compared to other students, come easy to LGBT individuals that can cause increased risks for unfortunate circumstances.‘Violence’ includes behaviors such as teasing, harassment, and physical assault. It is important that students at risk have access to resources and support to deal with any questions or challenges they may have or face as they mature. Surveyed LGBT students reported 10% were threatened or injured, 34% were bullied, and 28% were bullied electronically.

The authors of this journal examine bullying of LBGTQ youth from teachers perspectives. It is acknowledged that bulling is a concern for many children and teens, but as a LBGTQ youth the odds increase dramatically. It is important to get educators perspectives according to the authors because school environments are shaped by adults. Many LBGTQ students report bullying to educators, and do not see action, which creates a fear of confiding. A shocking fact in the article is how uncomfortable most teachers are dealing with LBGTQ based bullying, due to the fear of losing their jobs or reactions of parents. Teachers also feel unequipped to deal with LBGTQ subjects and lack training.

LGBT youth are most commonly targeted by bullying because society does not fully understand what these kids are going through in life. One of the main reasons for this is due to something that may set themselves apart from the norm and that includes sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian teens are two to three times as more likely to commit suicide than any other youths. Those who are rejected by their family are up to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. About 30 percent of all completed suicide have all been related to bullying.

Children and teens all around the world are being bullied because of their sexual preferences. At the young age of 2 or 3, children start to realize who they are, whether they are male or female. As they get a little older, they get a sense of what is right and what is

There could be a multitude of reasons and situational forces that cause an individual to bully another. It is possible that the bully is in desperate need to be accepted by their peers and feels that devaluing another individual raises their own worth. It could possibly be jealous of the person being bullied. Whether it is of social or economic status, their romantic status or just that person has something the bully cannot obtain.

The common thought has been bullying is a normal reaction to school. Studies show that bullying is the result of underlying issues. Traditional bullying was a common thug trying to make a place for themselves, whereas now it has gone to new heights, it now includes physical trauma and even death. We find that bullying affects the bully as well as the victim. The victims tend to have more problems in school with attendance and achievements within the academic world. This is not just about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, it involves all students that don’t fit societies idea of normal then the person gets bullied. The amount of attention given to this issue is a direct result of this escalation in events within the school system from grade schools to universities. The most pressing problem with getting the bullying policies changed is the conservative communities that school boards serve and convincing them that these policies need to be

Have you ever wondered why the bully bullies? 8 of you said you were bullied and 5 of you were bullies. Well, believe it or not the bully needs the same help than the bullied. They are in different sides of the problem but still they both have a problem. We can’t forget that we are talking about kids, about human beings.

“For more than two decades, researchers have documented the prevalence of school-based bullying toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youths in schools.

Many people that are gay or lesbian are being abused or harassed of their sexuality. Many are being verbally abused by classmates or by random people. Some

In America there are a lot of problems that don’t get full attention from people in power. One of the problems that are affecting the youth as well as adults is bullying. To find out more about this issue I will be looking into six articles that explain what bullying is, who is affected by bullying, the effect on LGBT children and what can be done to solve the problem of bullying. On this paper first, I will talk about what bullying is and the history of it. Second, I will talk about policies that exist regarding bullying, and how it affects LGBT families. Finally, I will talk about programs that help prevent bullying.