January 29, 2010

>New Study Corroborates GLSEN’s Research, Finds LGB Youth Bullied 2 to 3 Times More Than Heterosexual Youth

>GLSEN’s longstanding research has shown for nearly 10 years that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students face pervasive bullying and harassment in school. Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth experience harassment at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, according to GLSEN’s 2007 National School Climate Survey.

As we prepare to release findings from the 2009 National School Climate Survey later this year, a new study conducted by doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital corroborates what GLSEN has found for years.

The act and victimization of bullying continues to be a problem among today’s youth. While many children are experiencing this form of violence, it is more prevalent in children that are different from the social norm. As medical professionals continue to further their understanding of bullying, research shows a high rate of sexual minority youth who experience this harmful activity.

A new study conducted by doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that sexual minority youth, or teens that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, are bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals.

According to the study that is now available online in the Journal of Adolescent Health, sexual minority youth are more vulnerable to a variety of physical and mental domains such as bullying or suicidal thoughts. Plus, the study found that many older adolescents reported being bullied.

For more of GLSEN’s groundbreaking research, including reports on the experiences of transgender students in school and LGBT students of color in school, visit the research section on our website, www.glsen.org/research.

   

About Daryl Presgraves

       

Daryl Presgraves is the Director of Communications at GLSEN--the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.