TL;DR

  • Two in three LGBTQ+ US school students said they felt unsafe at school.
  • The survey covered the 2024-2025 school year and was published by Glisten.
  • 62 percent reported harassment tied to sexual orientation; 69 percent tied to gender identity or expression.
  • 64 percent said they avoided school bathrooms altogether.

A new survey has found that two-thirds of LGBTQ+ school students in the US felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The findings come from Glisten, an organisation that says it is “dedicated to creating safe and respectful learning environments for youth of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, race and abilities.” The results appear in the group’s 13th National School Climate Survey, which includes responses from LGBTQ+ students — including intersex, asexual and Two-Spirit students — in K-12 education about the 2024-2025 school year.

lgbtq school students

According to the survey, only one in three students said they “frequently” or “often” look forward to going to school. The report also found that 86 percent of trans and gender-expansive students avoided certain areas of their schools.

Many respondents said they had faced verbal, physical or online harassment and assault. Glisten said 62 percent experienced harassment because of their sexual orientation, while 69 percent reported harassment because of their gender identity or expression.

Angelina Jolie in a silver Versace dress on the red carpet for Marvel's Eternals

The survey also found that 48 percent of BIPOC LGBTQ+ students faced harassment because of their race or ethnicity.

Just over half, or 53 percent, said they had experienced LGBTQ+ related discrimination, including being barred from using a locker room consistent with their gender identity. Forty-one percent said they were punished for using bathrooms that aligned with their gender, and 64 percent said they avoided school bathrooms altogether.

Inform, Inspire, Empower

The figures point to ongoing concerns about school climate for LGBTQ+ students, particularly trans and gender-expansive young people, whose access to bathrooms, locker rooms and other shared spaces remains a source of conflict and exclusion.

TL;DR

  • Glisten’s 13th National School Climate Survey covered the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Two in three LGBTQ+ US school students said they felt unsafe because of their identity.
  • 62 percent reported harassment linked to sexual orientation and 69 percent to gender identity or expression.
  • 64 percent avoided school bathrooms altogether.

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Michael Johnson
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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson, commonly referred to as Mike, is a passionate advocate and journalist specializing in LGBTQ+ rights. With a background in social work and a Master's in Journalism from Northwestern University, Mike's ar…

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