What’s the school climate for LGBTQ students in your state?

According to GLSEN’s recently released State Snapshots report, high schools in all 41 states and Puerto Rico are not safe for most LGBTQ students.

More often than not, LGBTQ students do not have access to important school resources, such as LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum or student clubs designed to support LGBTQ students. In most cases, LGBTQ students are not protected by supportive and inclusive school policies.

The State Snapshots report examines the experiences of LGBTQ middle and high school students across 41 states and Puerto Rico. Using data from their 2017 National School Climate Survey, this state-by-state breakdown includes statistics that reveal the regularity of LGBTQ students hearing biased language, experiencing harassment and/or discrimination, and having access to in-school resources or support.

“This state-specific data allows advocates, educators, administrators, and policymakers, among others, to evaluate school climate in their individual state, and to advocate for safer and more inclusive school environments for LGBTQ students across the nation, including LGBTQ-supportive school policies, LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, and more,” GLSEN stated.

One of NACAC’s fundamental core values is a commitment “to eliminating from the education system bias based on race, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, political affiliation, national origin, or disability.” NACAC opposes any policies that allow for discrimination in any form.

See how your state measures up and consider GLSEN’s recommendations for creating school environments that better support and include LGBTQ students.

Julie Kirk is NACAC’s government relations manager. She can be reached at jkirk@nacacnet.org.