In order to further understand the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-plus (LGBTQ+) youth, they must be identified in surveys and data at the federal, state, and local level. Being able to identify LGBTQ+ youth in data, particularly in surveys and research about school climate and negative school experiences, including…

Collecting data on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-plus (LGBTQ+) issues and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people is essential both for enforcing civil rights protections and advancing racial, gender, and disability justice outcomes in K-12 education systems across the country. The absence of this data: (1) Is a barrier to full…

In this report, GLSEN, COLAGE, and Family Equality aim to address a significant gap in our understanding of school climate by focusing on the experiences of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and/or hostile school climates for students who have LGBTQ+parent(s) or caregiver(s). These experiences are a crucial part of the larger tapestry of…

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) research has demonstrated that LGBTQ students who attend schools with instruction that is inclusive of LGBTQ people, history, and events experience a better school climate and improved academic outcomes. We also know from the experiences of students, educators and advocates (as well as what…

Given that teachers are critical to creating safe and supportive learning environments, it is essential to better understand how K-12 educators are being prepared in their teacher education programs to address LGBTQ issues and topics in curriculum and instruction, and the needs of LGBTQ students. Thus, the current study examines the state of…

Over 20 years of GLSEN's Research has established that schools are not safe or welcoming spaces for LGBTQ youth, who face hostile school climates due to their sexual orientation, gender, and gender expression. Further, findings from our biennial National School Climate Survey have historically shown that transgender and nonbinary students (i.e.,…

Sports participation has positive effects on youth development, improving physical health, social skills and psychological well-being. Additionally, research has found that sports participation is related to greater feelings of school belonging and pro-school behaviors. Despite these benefits, some research has found negative effects of sports…

GLSEN's research brief "LGBTQ-Inclusive and Supportive Teaching: The Experiences of LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ Educators" provides an examination of teachers' LGBTQ-inclusive and supportive practices and the barriers teachers face to engaging in strategies to support LGBTQ youth. The brief discusses the experiences of LGBTQ teachers and…

GSAs, originally known as Gay-Straight Alliances and now commonly known as Gender and Sexuality Alliances, were first started over 30 years ago in the United States. These school clubs focus on providing LGBTQ students a safe and affirming space within a school environment that they may otherwise experience as hostile. In that GSAs are an…

There has been little research on the school experiences of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) students in general, with a particular paucity of literature surrounding their overlapping?sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, and race/ethnicity?identities. This report focuses solely on…

The full GLSEN 2021 National School Climate Survey report includes information on LGBTQ middle and high school students' experiences, including: (1) Hearing biased language, from both students and educators; (2) Experiences of harassment and assault; (3) Anti-LGBTQ discrimination; (4) Effects of a hostile school climate on educational outcomes and…

This is the executive summary for the report, "The 2021 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth in Our Nation's Schools." The full GLSEN 2021 National School Climate Survey report includes information on LGBTQ middle and high school students' experiences, including: (1) Hearing biased language, from both students…

"A Global School Climate Crisis: Insights on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer (LGBTQ) Students in Latin America" explores the school experiences of LGBTQ students in seven countries across Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay. This report was created in partnership with Todo Mejora, a…

Existing research has illustrated that both Black as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth often face unique challenges at school related to their marginalized identities. For example, previous studies indicate that Black youth experience harassment and discrimination at school related to their race, resulting in…

Existing research has illustrated that Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latinx youth (in this report, inclusively referred to as Latinx) as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth often face unique challenges at school related to their marginalized identities. In addition to anti-immigrant rhetoric that is often directed at…