SafeSchoolsNC releases results of LGBT student study

SafeSchoolsNC, a statewide advocacy, research, training and student support organization working on LGBTQ youth issues, released on Wednesday, the results to their recent study on homophobic language and verbal harassment in North Carolina schools.

The group surveyed 904 students in six high schools in Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, North Carolina.

Important results from the study include:

• 68.9% of students report hearing the phrases “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay” frequently or often in school
• 64.2% of students report hearing homophobic remarks such as “faggot,” “dyke,” or “queer” frequently or often in school
• Students reported that when homophobic remarks were made in school teachers rarely or never intervened almost half (47%) of the time.

In December 2005, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) released its study of anti-LGBT harassment in North Carolina schools and found that “A majority (78%) of North Carolina students reported hearing homophobic remarks such as, “that is so gay” to indicate bad or worthless; and derogatory terms like “faggot” were heard by 84% of students.” (see past post).

The SafeSchoolsNC study can be found online at http://www.safeschoolsnc.com/Research.asp

Last November (see past posts here and here) the North Carolina State Board of Education voted to take from guidelines for the hiring of school counselors specific categories regarding LGBT students and sexual orientation. In the past, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has also ignored anti-LGBT harassment by choosing to adopt a blanket non-discrimination statement instead of listing specific categories inclusive of sexual orientation and gender-identity.

Maybe it is time for the State Board of Education, along with the Department of Public Instruction, to take another look at the issue, especially in light of the results from GLSEN’s study in December 2005 and the recently released results of the SafeSchoolsNC study this week. North Carolina must ensure that our schools are the safest place possible for our students.

Posted in Anti-LGBT, High School, LGBT, LGBT Youth, North Carolina, Triangle |