Developing a Global Knowledge Base on Homophobic & Transphobic Bullying: Research as Insight and Intervention

Joseph Kosciw, PhDChief Research & Strategy OfficerGLSEN

European Anti-Bullying Network ConferenceJune 11, 2014

© GLSEN 2014

GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), established in 1990, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students.

GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

• Leading Research

• Educational Resources & Training

• Student Leadership

• Policy Advocacy

• Public Awareness

• 35+ Local Chapters

© GLSEN 2014

About GLSEN Research

GLSEN’s research supports the organization's mission:

● Documenting incidence of bullying/harassment, especially among at-risk groups like LGBT students

● Demonstrating the negative effects of bullying/harassment on students’ lives:

Mental Health Academic Success Future Career Success

● Knowledge about what interventions make a difference in school

Research as Insight & Intervention

GLSEN’s Theory of Change

Knowledge of LGBT Student Experiences

Government, District & School

Advocacy

Local Change Agents

LGBT-Related Supports in

Schools

• Victimization

• Well-Being

• Educational Outcomes

• School Context/Supports

Education, Human Rights,

Youth Org. Partnerships

(cont.)

© GLSEN 2014

GLSEN’s Theory of Change

LGBT-Related Supports in

Schools

Improved School Climate for LGBT

Students

Improved Attitudes toward

LGBT People

Improved Educational Outcomes

Improved Well-Being

© GLSEN 2014

Safety at SchoolBullying/harassment of LGBT students one of the most common

© GLSEN 2014

Their religion

Their ability at school

Their family does not have a lot of money

Their race/ethnicity

How masculine or feminine they are

They are or people think they are gay, lesbian or bisexual

The way they look or their body size

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

1%

3%

3%

6%

8%

17%

33%

At your school, how often are students bullied, called names or harassed for the following reasons? (Teacher Reports)

(percent reporting Very Often or Often)

© GLSEN 2014

Safety at School

71.1% of LGBT students felt unsafe because of at least one personal characteristic.

Biased LanguageHomophobic comments were most common.

© GLSEN 2014

© GLSEN 2014

Experiences of Harassment & AssaultSexual orientation and gender expression were the most commonly targeted characteristics.

• 4 in 5 students were verbally harassed (81.9%) because of their sexual orientation

• 2 in 5 were physically harassed (38.3%)

• 1 in 5 were physically assaulted (18.3%)

© GLSEN 2014

Student Experiences

School

Community/ District

State

National/ Federal

Student Activities (e.g., GSAs)

Teacher Training

Student Advocacy

District Policy

Professional Development

Anti-Bullying Laws

Anti-Discrimination Laws

Research Imperatives

• General population research on bullying that acknowledges bias-based bullying and understanding of identities.

• Framing research toward the national context of values re: education

• Specific research on students most at-risk

• Increased understanding of bullying prevention programs effective for at-risk groups, such as LGBT students

• Research on other school supports for at-risk groups

• Research on policies, regulations and laws re: school climate

© GLSEN 2014

Building a Global Knowledge-Base

© GLSEN 2014

Goal of the Convening

To strategize how activists and scholars can coordinate our collective resources and knowledge to reduce homophobic and transphobic prejudice and violence in schools.

© GLSEN 2014

Copyright 2003-2011 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.

NGO & Academic Partners – Worldview

© GLSEN 2014

Copyright 2003-2011 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. All rights reserved.

NGO & Academic Partners – Worldview

© GLSEN 2014

© GLSEN 2014

Participants from the Global Network Combating Homophobic and Transphobic Prejudice and Violence in Schools

Multiple Frameworks

© GLSEN 2014

1) Rights to an Education

2) Human Rights

3) HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention

Future Areas/Needs

© GLSEN 2014

• Develop LGBT Education Resource Hub;

• Comparative (and Nationally Useful) School Climate Research

• Public Opinion Campaigns

• Government Policies

Key Allies

© GLSEN 2014

1) Teacher Unions

2) Ministries of Education

3) Ministries of Child Welfare/Development

4) UN Organizations (particularly UNESCO)

Contact:Joe Kosciw

Email: jkosciw@glsen.orgWeb: www.glsen.orgTwitter: @GLSENResearch

@GLSENEducation@GLSEN