Safe and supportive schools for LGBT youth: Addressing educational inequities through inclusive policies and practices

J Sch Psychol. 2019 Jun:74:29-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2019.05.007. Epub 2019 May 26.

Abstract

Inclusive policies that attend to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are associated with more supportive school environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. We use the 2013-2015 California Healthy Kids Survey (n = 113,148) matched with principal reports of school policies from the 2014 California School Health Profiles to examine differential effects of SOGI-focused policies for LGB and transgender youth. SOGI-focused policies had a direct association with less truancy, and moderated the association between sexual orientation/gender identity and other school outcomes. SOGI-focused policies were associated with more positive experiences and perceptions of school climate for LGB youth and, to a lesser extent, transgender youth. Findings underscore the importance of inclusive policies, especially those that address the unique needs of transgender students.

Keywords: Academic achievement; Bullying and harassment; Gender identity; School policy; Sexual orientation; Truancy and absenteeism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • California
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Safety
  • Schools* / standards
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Sexuality*
  • Social Environment
  • Social Support
  • Students*