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Loading ...Study: Gays of color face greater discrimination in schools
02.27.2009 2:50pm EST
(New York City) LGBT students of color face greater victimization at school, according to a new study.
The research paper: Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in Our Nation’s Schools, was rele ased by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.The report documents the experiences of over 2,000 LGBT middle and high school students of color who were African American or Black, Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial.
The researchers used data collected in 2007 as part of GLSEN’s biennial survey of LGBT students along with results from in-depth individual and group interviews.
“While research on the experiences of LGBT students has increased in recent years, few studies have examined the specific victimization of students who identify as people of color and LGBT,” said GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard.
“Our schools are diverse environments, and it is important to understand how our students experiences differ based on personal characteristics such as race and ethnicity. This report provides alarming evidence that we must act now to ensure sure that America’s LGBT students of color are safe in school.”
The report also provides descriptions of the experiences of LGBT students of color in their own words.
“You could very well on any day hear someone yelling across the hall, ‘fag,’ etc,” said a 10th grade Latino male student in the report. “I’ve heard it before. … It’s hurtful because it’s just not something that you say. And it’s just generally hurtful. And I know that I’ll just be walking in a hallway, and someone will just say under their breath with a group of friends, “fag” … and hearing things like that in my school – it kind of brings me down almost. It kind of negates any hope that I have for our school to be a better place.”
The report found that across all groups, sexual orientation and gender expression were the most common reasons LGBT students of color reported feeling unsafe in school. More than four out of five students, within each racial/ethnic group, reported verbal harassment in school because of sexual orientation and about two-thirds because of gender expression. At least a third of each group reported physical violence in school because of sexual orientation.
More than half of African American/Black, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and multiracial students also reported verbal harassment in school based on their race or ethnicity. Native American students – 43 percent – were less likely than other students to report experiencing racially motivated verbal harassment.
About a quarter of African American/Black and Asian/Pacific Islander students had missed class or days of school in the past month because they felt unsafe. Latino, Native American, and multiracial students were even more likely to be absent for for safety reasons – about a third or more skipped class at least once or missed at least one day of school in the past month for safety reasons.
Native American students experienced particularly high levels of victimization because of their religion, with more than half reporting the highest levels of verbal harassment, and a quarter experiencing physical violence.
The report also found that performance at school also suffered when students experienced high levels of victimization. Students’ overall GPA dropped when they reported high severities of harassment based on sexual orientation and/or race/ethnicity. Students experiencing high severities of harassment also reported missing school more often.
@ Victoria
It is not true to say only western europe EVER promoted gender equality and tolerance for sexual minorities. If were takeing all of history into account, what about ancient Egypt. Ancient egypt was a major dominant nation at its time. Women had the same property and marital rights as men. They could even rule as pharoah. Egypt was also very culturally open to an diversity of sexaul practices that strayed form todays norm. As far as the promotion of homosexuality, it was not a major issue. Its view fluctauated depending on the dynasty. Homosexuality was presented in thier mythology(creation story) and art. Not just egypy, but many of ancient Africas smaller nations and tribes held women to a high regard. It wasnt until the western world dominated africa did rampid gender inequality and homophobia become the law of the land.
cm: “Victoria, that’s not true. Many indigenous cultures were equal or even matriarchies where sexuality was not an issue – the the West came and bowled them over. Well Western culture was defining women as “property” in a marriage, these cultures were thriving in equality.”
Well, first of all I clearly specified _major_ world cultures and in that regard Chinese, Indian, Incan, Islamic, Niger-Congan and other groups of similar broad geographical impact have swallowed up virtually all of the smaller cultures to which you refer. These matriarchal and egalitarian societies however much I respect their values have been destroyed up by patriarchal, militaristic ones throughout the world and were a minority phenomenon. Blaming “the West” for all imperialism is utterly ignorant.
cm: “Your Caucasian colored glasses are a bit much, dear
Western cultures – most of whom didn’t allow women to vote or own property up until 100 years ago?”
As opposed to all that voting going on outside of Western Europe a 100 years ago?
It is despicable and telling how you immediately racialize your comments by the use of “Caucasian”. Cultural values have nothing to do with ethnicity. Anyone, anywhere can adopt secular, rationalist approaches as pioneered in Western Europe to life if given the education and freedom to do so.
cm: “Western cultures that still, across the board pay women less for the same work as men.”
Although this is a world-wide problem the only countries even near gender parity lie in Western Europe.
cm: “Western cultures – who’s LARGEST RELIGION (Catholicism) doesn’t allow women to be ordained?” What do I care what the Catholic Church does as long as it is not setting government policy? Again that is what secular civil society allows us to do, turn our back on archaic, counterproductive institutions. I oppose ALL religious influence on government, a Western European concept.
cm: “Western culture – who’s “brightest star”, the USA has YET to elect a female or gay leader?”
Who the hell ever said the the US was the “brightest star”? Maybe on free speech, but on everything else make mine Canada!, Also there has not been an elected female head of state outside of the Western world to the best of my knowledge. Being appointed Prime Minister by a party committee is not the same by any stretch as winning a broad popular vote.
“Western culture that JUST overturned laws making homosexual sex a crime?”
Well I know that the law against homosexuality was overturned during the French Revolution over two hundred years ago and was never reinstated. The situation varied widely in Western Europe from never a crime to more recent removal, and the US again is not the determinate of “the West”. I also know that in only 2 or 3 of the 50+ nations with a sizable Islamic population is homosexuality not a crime.
You spit all this bile at Western culture, but whose technology are you using right now to leave your message, whose tradition of free speech are you exercising, etc. As a feminist and lesbian, I am painfully aware of the amount of progress needed in the West towards gender equality and tolerance for sexual minorities. Post-Enlightenment European culture when coupled with democracy allows open and robust dissent against tradition and superstition, i.e. allows progress. Most societies either blame external agents for all their failings or assume they are not following tradition/superstition fiercely enough.
If you can name a non-Western society at present where a lesbian would be better off, then please do so?
In this day and age, has it really taken researchers this long to figure out African American/Black GLBT students get picked on more in the public school system?!
Hello people! Discrimination is like stereotypes, it does not change very much from generation to generation!
Can’t our federal research money be spent on something less obvious?
Jonathan you make a valid point. The fact is in America there are disparities in the distribution of resources whether it be in education, heathcare or any other basic necessity.
Yes all children irregardless of race or orientation should be protected and taking a look at what goes on in minority communities in no way takes away the importance of protecting white gay kids. Please be mindful that kids of color face a great degree of intolerance and whether you agree or not these kids are judged by their appearance even before it is known that they are gay.
TigerTzu you mentioned Larry King and Matthew Shepard but there are a lot more victims of gay hate crimes that happen to be minorities but did not get the same media exposure. Individuals such as Sakia Gun and Rashawn Brazell whose murder was never solved.
TigerTzu
I didn’t call you or anyone else who has responded to this article a racist.
I’ve noticed that when issues of race are approached on this site, many try to dismiss them off hand. Fact is, there are some who cannot acknowledge that when an issue is confronted in the Black communtiy and communities of color in general, Straight/Gay/Whatever, the same issue will far too often be handled differently in White communities.
If pointing out the disparites that still exist with regard to race in the U.S. is in your opinion playing the victim, I don’t see it that way.
We disagree
Peace
Hmm. Aren’t communities of color also among the least gay-friendly? My black and latino friends often don’t come out to their families until they’re in their 30s or 40s… They feel that doing so any earlier will alienate them from their tight knit home environments. Can schools do anything about this?
Tj Said: “…as a gay person of color I can tell you that growing up in minority communities were there is no such thing as gay-straight alliances and PFLAG you face threats everyday of your life.”
I understand where you are coming from. I am old and when I was growing up we didn’t have any of those organizations either. Life in a small hick redneck town in Florida (and we know how gay friendly FL is now, just imagine it 40+ years ago) was not without its perils either. Like you, I faced the Southern Baptists rednecks at school every day, then went home to a religious mother and a father who was retired from the military. You can bet the lily white community of back then wasn’t gonna be welcoming gay people with open arms either. I know about many of the hardships of being gay, but I confess my ignorance on being black and gay. My point is that the violence and abuse suffered by gay kids doesn’t recognize color boundaries and no one color can claim a monopoly on suffering at the hands of homophobia. I’m sure that Larry King or Matt Shepard would be quite willing to trade their fates for simply being called a “fag” and let’s face it, dead is dead no matter what color you are.
“Minority gay kids do not have the same access to support services like white kids do in their communities.”
I am asking now with all sincerety out of ignorance and I hope for an intelligent response. Specifically, what resources are you referring to which white kids have access? You mentioned PFLAG and if I recall correctly PFLAG meetings are open to anyone regardless of color. Why are the resources not available in non-white communities? Is it lack of interest? Lack of funds? What resources do you feel should be available to minority communities? Again, I am asking serious questions. The first step to solving a problem is understanding its cause.
“They face discrimination not only from peers at school but also at home and in their communities.”
So do a lot of white kids. Two of my former boyfriends were both kicked out on the streets when they came out to their parents, one at 15 and the other at 16 (they were much older when I met them). I know a couple of guys that were homeless at an even earlier age. I know guys that have had the crap beaten out of them, subjected to all manner of verbal abuse, subjected to harrassment…the list goes on. My point is that there are shades of grey even within the white community. While some parents may be rather accepting, others may react in a manner and to a degree that is no different than what happens in non-white communities. Those forced to fend for themselves at an early age, on the streets, suffer regardless of color. As far as community acceptance goes, again while some whites may be more accepting, this is not always the case. On the flip side we have Dobson, Falwell, Robertson, the Phelps cult, the Pope, George W. Bush, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and a whole legion of other people who would happily see us stoned to death and crushed out of existance. They dedicate(d) their lives to making ours miserable and oddly enough, all those bastards are white. In fact, I would blame most white religions as one of the primary causes of non-white homophobia. So you see, we can all give examples of the hardships we face as gay people, and I am speaking of orientation only. I know the hardships increase with racism on top of homophobia.
Anyways, what it boils down to is within any community there are degrees of suffering. Even withing non-white communities, there are parents, family and friends that are accepting for the fortunate few just as there are those white kids that suffer serious hardships. Failing to look at the bigger picture only serves to further divide us and trying to break down the impact of homophobia by race only unmasks a symptom of a much larger problem that goes beyond color. To suggest otherwise would require an admission that non-white communities are much more homophobic than white communities, as 2 out of 3 examples you provided involve interaction within your own community/family. If such is the case, then I think it would serve a better purpose to start eliminating the racially-specific causes of your suffering rather than comparing differences between white and non-white homophobia.
Jonathan Said: “According to this study, Gay children of color might need a little more protection.”
From my understanding, protection for gay kids of any color in public schools is almost non-existant. How do you defing what is “a little more” than non-existant? From whom are we to be offering them more protection? Why do they merit “extra” protection? Is their safety and security somehow worth more effort than that given to white kids?Seems to me if you eliminate homophobia then gay kids of all colors will be free of that burden. If a no tolerance policy is adopted and vigorously enforced, would not white and non-white gay kids benefit equally? The same could also be said of racism. Eliminate that and homophobia then all kids could start on a level playing field to succeed or fail based on their abilities, their ambition and their strength of charater, kinda like Dr. King envisioned. Besides the answer to the question on who gets the worst shaft from homophobia is really all a matter of perspective. A kid that gets murdered or beaten, no matter what his color, is gonna have an more unfavorable opionion of homophobia than someone who has a good family/friends support group, again regardless of color.
“Does that mean we’re going to stop fighting to protect the others? NO.”
Shouldn’t it really just be one fight for all the kids?
“In the minds of some around here, unless it’s being used as a negative, race should never be part of the equation.”
If this is directed at me, then you are either new here or haven’t read many of my posts as I have been an outspoken critic of racism in numerous posts. Your willingness to lump all those together who don’t think as you do where race is concerned is an attitude I find interesting, if not hypocritical. I simply state my opinion that race should not be a factor in eliminating homophobia and because you don’t agree, then I’m suddenly being racist? Maybe if I had said that in ther minds of some, if you’re black and playing the victim card, everyone who disagrees with you is a racist, then that would be a racist statement. See how that reasoning works?
Colored?
Yes all children, gay straight whatever, should be protected. According to this study, Gay children of color might need a little more protection. Does that mean we’re going to stop fighting to protect the others? NO.
In the minds of some around here, unless it’s being used as a negative, race should never be part of the equation.
TigerTzu you are absolutely right when saying all gay kids regardless of color should be safe in schools. Its is America we live and as a gay person of color I can tell you that growing up in minority communities were there is no such thing as gay-straight alliances and PFLAG you face threats everyday of your life. Minority gay kids do not have the same access to support services like white kids do in their communities. They face discrimination not only from peers at school but also at home and in their communities. This is why in the cities you tend to find a lot of colored gay street kids.
“This report provides alarming evidence that we must act now to ensure sure that America’s LGBT students of color are safe in school.”
Did white kids suddenly become exempt from homophobia? How about acting now to make sure ALL gay kids are safe in school. There have been years of studies that show ALL gay kids face above average incidents of harrassment and violence. This is one instance where color should not be an issue.
Like others, I am not at all surprised that this is the case for many lgbt kids from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Sadly, leaders in each of those various ethnic communities have yet to grasp the fact that their communities are not immune to homophobia and heterosexism and that they need to actively CONFRONT these harmful attitudes lest children and adolescents from their OWN communities suffer needlessly from such attitudes.
I encourage everyone to visit the GLSEN website where the full report is available to read.
Victoria, that’s not true. Many indigenous cultures were equal or even matriarchies where sexuality was not an issue – the the West came and bowled them over.
Well Western culture was defining women as “property” in a marriage, these cultures were thriving in equality.
The past 20 years don’t make up for anything. What was it, 1992? that Ireland finally allowed women to file for divorce?
Your Caucasian colored glasses are a bit much, dear
Western cultures – most of whom didn’t allow women to vote or own property up until 100 years ago?
Western cultures that still, across the board pay women less for the same work as men.
Western cultures – who’s LARGEST RELIGION (Catholicism) doesn’t allow women to be ordained?
Western culture – who’s “brightest star”, the USA has YET to elect a female or gay leader?
Western culture that JUST overturned laws making homosexual sex a crime?
What world do you live in?
How sad. The saddest sentance in this whole report is about the Native Americans suffering victimizations due to their religion. Good Christians rarely are! Kids should be taught tollerance and perhaps basic World Religions in middle school. WE ALL HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN NOT.
Tom in Long Beach
Does this study surprise anyone?
The blind worship of muliculturalism has been obscuring the uncomfortable truth that the only major world culture to ever promote both gender equality and tolerance for sexual minorities is that of post-Enlightenment Western Europe.
When you cannot offer legitimate, evidence-based criticism about non-White groups in many left/progressive circles without hysterical, reflexive retorts of ‘racism’, ‘Islamophobe, etc., this tragic situation is only abetted.