Chapter 11: Sexual Orientation

This is certainly a hot button issue in many schools. It is difficult to talk about and to try to enact a safe environment for these students. As stated in the text, "In 2006, the US government reported that about 14% of the hate crimes committed in the past year were motivated by sexual orientation." And that "less than 60% believe that homosexual relations between consenting homosexuals should be legal." (pg. 223).  According to the book, middle schools might be the worst place for sexual harassment, where more than 3/4ths of students report that other students have a negative view of homosexuality. This falls right into the median age of 13, which is where many people start to realize their sexual orientation. There is very little support at this level and at the high school level as well for these students. The result is often drop outs, absenteeism, homelessness, substance abuse, and risky sexual behavior. In 2004, about 7.8% of suicides were due to sexual orientation. Estimates but the numbers of GLBT students between 5 to 10% at each school. I found it shocking to hear that openly gay teachers can lose their jobs due to their sexual orientation. I had openly gay teachers in high school. In only 16 states, sexual orientation is protected from discrimination under the law. This book is dated from 2007 however, so I'm hoping that this number has changed since then. Also, GLBT people are never identified in textbooks and only is occasionally provided briefly in describing a noted person. The Harvey Milk School is a small alternative school that helps gay and lesbian students and provides a traditional curriculum, as well as social services and family counseling. It is great to hear that schools are changing to meet the needs of students today at least on rare occasions such as this one.