A national survey released last week found that students in Pennsylvania continue to face pervasive anti-LGBT attitudes.
Pennsylvania was one of 29 states in which specific state summary data was produced as part of Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s National School Climate Survey.
The survey found that almost all LGBT students surveyed in Pennsylvania (92 percent) heard the word “gay” used in a negative way (e.g., “That’s so gay”), and 88 percent heard other homophobic remarks at school regularly. The majority experienced verbal harassment: 72 percent based on their sexual orientation and 56 percent based on the way they expressed their gender.
“The large number of students who reported hearing anti-LGBT language and who continue to experience verbal and physical harassment in Pennsylvania’s schools is unacceptable,” said GLSEN executive director Dr. Eliza Byard.
Students also reported high levels of other types of harassment at school: 56 percent were sexually harassed while 45 percent experienced “cyber bullying.”
Only 8 percent of students reported attending a school with a comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policy that included specific protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
“GLSEN calls on everyone in Pennsylvania to join us in ensuring students and educators are given the resources to create safe, affirming school environments,” Byard said. “All members of the school community need to feel empowered to intervene when others are undermining these efforts.”
“Our research tells us that policymakers and education leaders in Pennsylvania must do more to create safer and more affirming schools for LGBT students,” added GLSEN Chief Research and Strategy Officer Dr. Joseph G. Kosciw. “Training and empowering educators to create supportive environments, supporting gay-straight alliances and increasing access to accurate and positive information about LGBT people, history and events and inclusive policies can improve school climate for all students in Pennsylvania.”