Family & Community Students & Families Student Support, Career & Education
Nutrition, Health and Safety

Gay/Straight Alliances: A Student Guide
Recommendations on the Support and Safety of Gay and Lesbian Students

Public health and educational research has documented that gay and lesbian students and other students dealing with sexual identity issues face increased risk of violent victimization, harassment, and discrimination, impeding their ability to do well in school. In addition, due to their low self-esteem, lack of support, and family difficulties, some of these students may be at greater risk for alcohol and other drug abuse, suicidal behavior, infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and homelessness.

In response to these concerns, Governor William F. Weld signed an executive order in February, 1992, establishing the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth. In February, 1993, the Commission issued its report, Making Schools Safer for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Breaking the Silence in Schools and in Families, which makes recommendations regarding educational issues.

Based on the recommendations in this report, the Board of Education voted in May, 1993, to adopt the following steps to improve the safety of schools and school-based support services for these students:

1. Schools are encouraged to develop policies protecting gay and lesbian students from harassment, violence, and discrimination.

   In order to guarantee the rights of all students to an education and to prevent dropping out, school policies should include sexual orientation within anti-discrimination policies, as well as within policies which guarantee students' rights to an education and to equal access to school courses and activities.

   In order to make schools safe for all students and to prevent violence and harassment, schools should amend existing anti-harassment policies to include prohibiting violence, harassment, and verbal abuse directed against gay and lesbian students and those perceived to be gay or lesbian. Incidents of anti-gay abuse should be treated with the same discipline procedures as other incidents involving bias and hatred.

2. Schools are encouraged to offer training to school personnel in violence prevention and suicide prevention.

   In order to prevent violence in schools, teachers, guidance counselors, and all school staff should be provided with training in violence and suicide prevention, including the particular issues/concerns of gay and lesbian students.

3. Schools are encouraged to offer school-based support groups for gay, lesbian and heterosexual students.

   In order to support students who are isolated and may be at high risk for suicide, high schools should establish support groups where all students, gay, lesbian and heterosexual, may meet on a regular basis to discuss gay and lesbian youth issues in a safe and confidential environment. These gay/heterosexual alliances should be open to all students and should have a faculty advisor and support from the school administration.

4. Schools are encouraged to provide school-based counseling for family members of gay and lesbian students.

   School systems should extend existing student support teams, guidance services, and partnerships with community agencies to provide counseling services to gay and lesbian students and their families.

For further information on making schools safe for gay and lesbian students, please refer to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education document Gay/Straight Alliances: A Student Guide.