1. Homosexual Students in Heterosexual Schools Nicoleta Kourouniotis Shirley Labus Michelle Lapidakis Michelle Lapidakis

2. “ One of the most frightening and hostile environments is, unfortunately, the place where gay and lesbian youths spend the majority of their time outside the home – their school” -Black and Underwood, 1998

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4. 10-18% of students are homosexual or bi-sexual 10-18% of students are homosexual or bi-sexual Gay students hear anti-gay remarks 25 times per day – Button, Jiunn-jye, & Rienzi, 2006 Gay students hear anti-gay remarks 25 times per day – Button, Jiunn-jye, & Rienzi, 2006 Gay students are not treated same as heterosexual students by teachers and peers Gay students are not treated same as heterosexual students by teachers and peers Homosexual Students in Heterosexual Schools

5. Issues Facing Gay Students Diversity Diversity Heath Risks Heath Risks Developmental Issues Developmental Issues Support Network Support Network School Environment School Environment

6. When considering diversity people usually think about race, religion, ethnic group, gender, culture, and economic status When considering diversity people usually think about race, religion, ethnic group, gender, culture, and economic status Sexual orientation is another category commonly forgotten Sexual orientation is another category commonly forgotten Homosexuals are one of the most controversial groups of people in society today Homosexuals are one of the most controversial groups of people in society today Diversity

7. Gay students suffer substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, emotional isolation, drop out, low self esteem, sexually transmitted disease – Black & Underwood, 1998 Gay students suffer substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, emotional isolation, drop out, low self esteem, sexually transmitted disease – Black & Underwood, 1998 Gay students suffer depression and suicide due to violence and harassment – Button, Jiunn- jye, & Rienzi, 2006 Gay students suffer depression and suicide due to violence and harassment – Button, Jiunn- jye, & Rienzi, 2006 Gay students are two to three times more likely to commit suicide – Black & Underwood, 1998 Gay students are two to three times more likely to commit suicide – Black & Underwood, 1998 Health Risks

8. Heterosexual students are busy mastering developmental tasks like independence, commitment to values, identity, and intimacy Heterosexual students are busy mastering developmental tasks like independence, commitment to values, identity, and intimacy Gay students are working on adjusting to a socially stigmatized role Gay students are working on adjusting to a socially stigmatized role Developmental Issues

9. Most everyone has a network of people to count on to help during tough times Most everyone has a network of people to count on to help during tough times Gay students perceive their network of family and friends as non-existent Gay students perceive their network of family and friends as non-existent Gay students are trying to form their own identity, and are faced with fear of how their family and friends will react if they tell them the truth and come out Gay students are trying to form their own identity, and are faced with fear of how their family and friends will react if they tell them the truth and come out Support Network

10. Gay students are not always accepted with open arms by their peers and teachers Gay students are not always accepted with open arms by their peers and teachers Gay students do not have the same kind of school experience as heterosexual students Gay students do not have the same kind of school experience as heterosexual students Gay students experience such things as direct and indirect harassment Gay students experience such things as direct and indirect harassment School Environment

11. Research has proven that teachers were the least informed and supportive on the topic of gay students – Stone, 2003 Research has proven that teachers were the least informed and supportive on the topic of gay students – Stone, 2003 Today’s school curriculum treats homosexuality as if it does not exist by validating only the traditional heterosexual lifestyles and families – Black & Underwood, 1998 Today’s school curriculum treats homosexuality as if it does not exist by validating only the traditional heterosexual lifestyles and families – Black & Underwood, 1998 Teachers need to find ways to help these students fit in and meet their needs Teachers need to find ways to help these students fit in and meet their needs School Environment

12. Zero Tolerance Zero Tolerance Support Infrastructure Support Infrastructure Gay Awareness Gay Awareness Family Support Family Support School Solutions

13. Clear and explicit written policies that forbid harassment need to be established Clear and explicit written policies that forbid harassment need to be established Support of all staff and administration needs to be enlisted Support of all staff and administration needs to be enlisted Administration needs to follow through and punish offenders consistently, no exceptions Administration needs to follow through and punish offenders consistently, no exceptions Zero tolerance

14. Allow students to form a gay and straight alliance Allow students to form a gay and straight alliance Alliances will allow the students to feel acceptance and belonging Alliances will allow the students to feel acceptance and belonging Alliances offer a place to find group support Alliances offer a place to find group support Support Infrastructure

15. All staff members need to be educated on what gay students go through in school All staff members need to be educated on what gay students go through in school Teachers should be educated on how to create acceptance, tolerance, and a safe environment Teachers should be educated on how to create acceptance, tolerance, and a safe environment Annual meetings need to be held to inform staff of new information on gay issues Annual meetings need to be held to inform staff of new information on gay issues Gay Awareness Education

16. Refer families of gay students to family counseling Refer families of gay students to family counseling Parents need to better understand their child’s unique needs Parents need to better understand their child’s unique needs Parents also need support to find ways to cope with their worries Parents also need support to find ways to cope with their worries Family support

17. The time is now for the United States to once again become a beacon for tolerance The time is now for the United States to once again become a beacon for tolerance The gay culture needs to be treated like other minority groups and be protected with the same rights as the heterosexual culture The gay culture needs to be treated like other minority groups and be protected with the same rights as the heterosexual culture Conclusion

18. Interview What was school like for you? What was school like for you? What would you have changed about your school experience? What would you have changed about your school experience? When did you “come out”? When did you “come out”? What would you tell heterosexual students in school today? What would you tell heterosexual students in school today?