Basic Facts About Heterosexism in Our Schools

• 97 percent of high school youth report frequently hearing homophobic remarks at schools (Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth [MGCGLY], 1993).

• Over one-third of youth (36.7 percent) reported hearing homophobic remarks from faculty or school staff (National School Climate Survey [NSCS], 1999).

• The typical high school student hears antigay slurs 25.5 times a day (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays [PFLAG], 1997).

• 69 percent of youths perceived to be either gay or lesbian reported experiencing some form of harassment or violence at school (NSCS, 1999).

• Of those reporting verbal harassment, almost half (45.9 percent) reported experiencing it daily (NSCS, 1999).

• 46.5 percent of the same reported sexual harassment, such as suggestive comments, being touched inappropriately (NSCS, 1999).

• 27.6 percent reported physical harassment, such asbeing pushed, shoved, kicked, etc. (NSCS, 1999).

• 13.7 percent reported physical assault, such as being beaten, punched, kicked (NSCS, 1999).

• Over one-third of youth (39.2 percent) reported that no one ever intervened in these circumstances (NSCS, 1999).

• When someone did intervene, other students were more often reported to intervene than were faculty (82.4 percent compared to 66.5 percent by faculty) (NSCS, 1999).

• Gay-lesbian youths are two to three times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual young people (PFLAG, 1997).

• 85 percent of teachers oppose integrating gay/lesbian/bisexual themes within their curricula (MGCGLY, 1993).