Systemic discrimination of LGBTQ+ youths in schools and why we should care.
Boston Latin School was established in 1635 and is the oldest and first public school in
America. Puritans in New England wanted a place to send their children to learn how to read Latin in order to better read and understand the Christian Bible. 384 years, an industrial revolution, two world wars, and 45 American presidents later, Boston Latin School still exists and serves as a magnet school to the Boston area. Previous to the industrial revolution, students attending Boston Latin School had no compulsory attendance laws and went in desire of education and of their (or their parents’) volition.
Fast forward approximately 200 years and it’s 1833 when the Factory Act was passed; a bill that dictated that children working in factories were required to go to school for 2 hours per day. This policy revolutionized what education meant to Americans. It meant that children were no longer permitted to work in factories without acquiring some knowledge and curriculum. This policy would eventually spark fire to the American education system: in 1880 just 47 years after the Factory Act was passed the Education Act made attendance compulsory to schools for children under the age of 10.
Fast forward again another 138 years and UCLA’s Institute of Law conducts a study that finds that 85% of LGBTQ+ identifying students in public schools have faced verbal harassment, 58% of LGBTQ+ youths have felt unsafe in schools and a further 27% have been physically harassed because of their sexual or gender identity. Compared with 13% of overall students who have been verbally harassed and 5% who have been physically harassed according to a Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center study, there is a large discrepancy between LGBTQ+ youths being bullied or harassed and an overall population of youths in American schools.
But wait. In just 138 years, how did we go from compulsory attendance of 10-year-olds to a huge portion of LGBTQ+ kids being harassed?
The answer is complicated.
Only 20 states have laws specifically tailored to end discrimination, bullying, and harassment of LGBTQ+ youths in schools. Furthermore, 7 states, including the one LSPA is based out of have “No Promo Homo” laws, which expressly forbid teachers from discussing gay and transgender issues. Specifically South Carolina has a law that states:
(5) The program of instruction provided for in this section may not include a discussion of alternate sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships including, but not limited to, homosexual relationships except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases. (in reference to sexual education)
The root of the problem of homophobia in schools lies in the legislation and policy our
governments pass. Complacency and abstinence on talks of these issues furthers their severity and their lack of exposure completely undermines how serious these problems can become for everyone. This and other such laws make it nearly impossible for LGBTQ+ youths from being represented in schools, especially in the context of social and sexual education. Whats more, a 2007 GLSEN study found that most students said they did not have access to LGBTQ+ materials in their school libraries further alienating them from being properly represented and creating a less open environment for LGBTQ+ youths in school. Although there are no laws against the integration of LGBTQ+ studies into school libraries or even an integration into some curricula (although there has been a correlation between no promo homo laws and lack of inclusion of LGBTQ+ studies in curricula), the fear is that administrators, parents, or district offices will push back against the inclusion of LGBTQ+ media into schools. This speaks to a larger commentary of attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people and their lifestyles.
Schools also do not adequately report bullying or discrimination against LGBTQ+ youths. A study done by the National Center for Education Statistics reported a mere 1% of schools reported harassment against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in 2016. Finally, Lambda Legal reports that 82.9% of their LGBTQ+ population size reported that (school) faculty or staff never or only sometimes intervened when they were present when remarks (homophobic and transphobic including faggot or dyke) were made in 2003. These statistics are disturbing in that students who identify as LGBTQ+ report far more incidents of harassment than do schools themselves likely due to lack of staff report. It is self evident that this is unacceptable and that schools need to be more cognizant of the discrimination LGBTQ+ youths face and more willing to report those statistics. Faculty and staff should not avoid conflicts involving homophobic remarks and should put an end to them immediately. If not reported, the public cannot completely know the breadth and importance of this issue and corrupt policy cannot be correctly met with statistic and truth.
Policy from the industrial revolution is still in effect. Our education system has not adequately adapted to America in the 20th and 21st century. Students of Boston Latin college now and students of the same school 100 years ago have largely the same policy for LGBTQ+ youths in school. In other words, nothing.
Why should you care?
In 2003 it was reported by Lambda Legal that one-third of all LGBTQ+ people in high school dropped out, nearly three times the national average. There is no desirable future without students in America receiving a safe and inclusive education that does not systematically favor one group or demographic of students. It is imperative that all youths receive equal treatment in school.
The answer to the question “how did we go from compulsory attendance to systemic
discrimination” posed earlier is unfair legislation as well as detrimentally negative connotations and representations of LGBTQ+ youth or lack thereof. Schools and governments alike must work together to include and treat LGBTQ+ kids in schools with respect and the dignity they deserve.
The way the United States at large and more specifically the southern United States handle discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ youths is disgusting and unacceptable. It is unacceptable to not have necessary legislation that protects LGBTQ+ youths specifically in the fight against bullying. It is unacceptable to have LGBTQ+ children feel unsafe at schools because of their sexual or gender identity.
What can you do?
Send a letter to your senator about the laws concerning anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments in schools. Support local LGBTQ+ youths, do not discriminate against those of “alternative” sexualities or gender identities and do not excuse the behavior of lawmakers or local administrators for complacency in regards to this issue.
We should care about the future or lack of future for our LGBTQ+ youths. If American public schools cannot be inclusive and safe for all, what is the point of any facility claiming to be
unbiased education in America?