LGBT Students in the High School

1. Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network 2005 National School Climate Survey LGBT Students in the High School

2. Survey participants • 521 paper surveys completed from 39 community-based groups • 1,211 online surveys completed • Nationwide sample, including South and Midwest • Data collected April-August 2005 • 1,732 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students between ages 13-20

3. “Endemic problem of name-calling, harassment and violence directed at LGBT students. “ Kevin Jennings, Founder & Executive Director, GLSEN

4. Name Calling % of respondents who often or frequently hear from fellow students • 75% “faggot” or “dyke” • 89% “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay”

5. 18% - heard name calling from staff or faculty 16% - name calling in presence of staff or faculty Staff and faculty less likely to intervene regarding homophobic remarks than when hearing racist or sexist remarks. Name Calling and School Staff or Faculty

6. 64% - felt unsafe in their school because of their sexual orientation 37% - physically harassed 17% - physically assaulted 66% - sexually assaulted 41% - victim of cyberbullying Majority of respondents did not report bullying to faculty, staff or family members. Bullying

7. 5 times more likely to have skipped a day of school in the past month Academic Implications 2 times more likely to say not planning on completing high school or going on to college

8. 47% - had Gay-Straight Alliance group in school Student Groups

9. Strong evidence supports theory that sexual minority students are more likely than their peers to: -be depressed -use or abuse substances -think about or attempt suicide Other Research

10. Other Research- 2 Emotional isolation - result of comments from peers/family/school staff Social isolation - could not reveal sexual orientation to friends or family Cognitive isolation – limited access to information

11. What does this mean for libraries? “Most school librarians are awesome free-speech champions. They know gay kids because we so often hide out in the safety of libraries.” Marler, T. (2005). Youth fiction grows up. The Advocate, 12(6), p. 168.

12. Annie On My Mind • Written by Nancy Garden, Farrar, Straus and Girous, 1982. • Romantic relationship between two 17-year old girls in New York City • ALA-Best Books of Young Adults • School Library Journal-100 most influential books of 20th century • Booklist-Reviewer’s Choice 1982 • A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement 2003

13. Annie is removed from Olathe High School library • 1993-LGBT organization, Project 21, donates Annie to 42 high schools in KC area • October 1993-15 people gather in front of KCK school district offices and burn a copy of Annie • December 1993-Olathe school superintendent, Dr. Ron Wimmer, orders Annie be removed from library shelves

14. School Board upholds decision to remove Annie • January 1994-Four students and one teacher from Olathe school district present a petition with 1000 signatures calling for book’s return • Board upholds superintendent’s decision 6-2

15. Lawsuit is filed • March 1994-Stevana Case et al. v. U.S.D. no. 233, Johnson County, Kansas, et al. • Lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court • ACLU represents plaintiffs pro bono • September 1995-Case goes to trial

16. Court Ruling • November 1995-Court rules- While school not obligated to purchase any book, it cannot remove a book from library shelves unless the book is deemed “educationally unsuitable.” School district’s attempt to remove Annie is “an unconstitutional attempt to prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion and other matters of opinion.”