Safe Schools for LGBT Students Through Bullying Prevention Program

Bullying is a topic that is clearly defined and researched in the field of education. Students in schools report being bullied as a reason for poor attendance, poor academic performance, decreased self-esteem, mental health issues, and in the worst cases violence towards self and others. Because of the highly publicized cases of suicide or school violence, bullying prevention is now mandated in most states and implemented as policy in school districts across the United States. The studies on school bullying report that bullying towards students who are LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) occurs much more frequently than towards students who do not identify as such. Reports also have indicated that the negative effects of bullying are much worse for LGBT students. There is not as much research regarding LGBT bullying and why school administrators do not put stronger policies and educational programming in schools. This study showed that school administrators are willing partners and seek to overcome barriers faced in LGBT protection and inclusion. A key step in providing bullying prevention measures for LGBT students is to understand obstacles school administrators face in making schools more inclusive and safe 1hr LGBT individuals. The purpose of the study is to identify the supports that administrators need to address LGBT bullying prevention for middle school and high school students and to help school leaders to address these gaps in their school communities. This study found the major barriers that administrators face include gaps in district and government policies for LGBT diversity, need for district v level LGBT inclusion goals for systemic culture change, and need for training in LGBT needs and leading conversations on sensitive topics.