By: Jacob S. Brown

 Bullying - use of strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants  Different forms of Bullying: ◦ Physical (hitting) ◦ Verbal (teasing) ◦ Social or Emotional (exclusion, hurtful gestures) ◦ Cyber (negative/hurtful s, text or online messages)

 93% of teens hear derogatory words about sexual orientation  3 out of 4 students bullied about sexual orientation aren’t identified as LGBTQ.  78% of gay (or believed to be) teens are bullied in schools and communities.  LGBTQ students are five times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe due to bullying

 Negative effects on developmental and mental health ◦ Extreme anxiety and depression ◦ Relationship problems ◦ Low self-esteem ◦ Substance abuse  Lack of support from adult figures  2 to 3 times more likely to commit suicide then heterosexual students

 Never tolerate abusive language  Maintain confidentiality  Keep an eye out for bullying and stop it  Never assume a student’s sexuality

 Work with the student government and other school clubs to have programs on anti- bullying and respect  Encourage victims of bullying to tell a parent or counselor  Use inclusive language ◦ Use term ‘partner’ rather than boyfriend/girlfriend ◦ Use precise terms rather than using just gay  Keep things neutral ◦ Don’t ask anyone to speak for an entire group ◦ Language

 Cawthon, Stephanie W. "Teaching Strategies in Inclusive Classrooms With Deaf Students." Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education 6.3 (2001): Web.  Riese, Jane. "Bullying & Sexual Orientation." Violence Prevention Works! Hazelden Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Nov  "Facts About Suicide." The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project, Web. 19 Nov