Gay Students Receive Harsher Punishments In School, Study Finds

According to a Yale University study published in Pediatrics, gay teens are more likely to face harsher punishments than their heterosexual peers in schools and in the court system.

Data analyzed from a national sample of students who were between seventh grade and 12th grade in the 1994-1995 school year, and from a 2001-2002 follow-up, found that LGBTQ youth were more likely to be expelled from school or arrested by the police.

The report concluded:

Nonheterosexual youth suffer disproportionate educational and criminal-justice punishments that are not explained by greater engagement in illegal or transgressive behaviors.

Coming at a time when anti-gay bullying and teen suicide are prominent topics nationwide, the report suggests further anti-gay discrimination in schools, although the precise reasons remain unknown.

HealthDay reports,

Why schools and the courts come down harder on gay or bisexual youth wasn't clear from the study results, [study leader Kathryn] Himmelstein said. They may be intentionally or unintentionally punishing them for their sexual orientation, she added, or decision makers may be less likely to consider mitigating factors, such as self-defense, for a nonheterosexual adolescent than for a heterosexual peer.

Another recent study has shown that family support reduces thoughts of suicide and other self-destructive behavior among LGBTQ youth.

Comments

[chaya]

12:58 PM on 12/22/2010

"decision makers may be less likely to consider mitigating factors, such as self-defense, for a nonheterosexual adolescent than for a heterosexual peer."

I believe this theory is correct. I have seen this myself. If a gay kid is picked on, teachers and other authority figures reason that it is the gay kid's own fault. He asked for it by being gay. Therefore, he has no right to defend himself. He should just take what he has coming.

Sure, it sounds hideous, moronic, and wrong, but that is exactly what I have seen. Over and over again. That is what I grew up with. And if we're going to address bullying in schools, we're going to have to address this factor as well.

[Turtlenews]

11:47 PM on 12/10/2010

The Ignorant think being gay is a choice. Gays are treated more harshly because the Ignorant want to send a message it is not OK to be Gay

[Ldcook]

02:30 PM on 12/08/2010

Anyone who is in any way different has to walk a tighter path, do better to reach the same goals, work harder for the same results, and get smacked down harder for lighter infractions.

[chaya]

01:03 PM on 12/22/2010

That is quite true. I don't mean to take away from your point, which is a good one. But the punishment coming to a child or young person who is gay is far, far worse than that inflicted on "different" people. I well remember each time I tried to "turn" straight. Suddenly everyone loved me. I was welcomed into a bright, shiny world where all is peace and light and everyone has an equal chance. That may seem like an exaggeration to you, but that is just how bad things are for gays. I can barely even comprehend the kind of world I might have lived in, had I been born straight. Sometimes I feel bitter about it. Mostly, though, I just feel glad to be me.

[Bill J4321]

02:51 PM on 12/07/2010

Why WOULDN'T we punish the only peaceful group of human beings most harshly?

[degenerate1991]

04:26 AM on 12/11/2010

Gays by no means deserve to be persecuted for who they are but the statement that they are somehow "more peaceful" than those around them is entirely baseless, without proof. In striving for equality, it does no good to place people on pedestals.

[chaya]

12:59 PM on 12/22/2010

Actually, it's pretty common knowledge that gays and lesbians tend to be more peaceful that those around them.

[Bonnie Brill]

09:55 AM on 12/07/2010

Another lesson in homophobia!

Maybe equality training should be a prerequisite for becoming a teacher.

Absolute shame our LGBT youth should be hurt even further by those they should look up to and be able to turn to.

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

[jerry23]

09:17 AM on 12/07/2010

This is a very interesting topic. Examining the tight rope LGBT walk without a net. Where shooting the messenger is easier then getting the message. I am a Elder Gay male and the bullying/harassment doesn't go away with age. Some people never leave the play ground. Included in this post is a blog I am creating. It only has gotten to 1992 , has some years to go to be current. Things to be included are being rail roaded into dropping stalking charges etc. by a system meant to thwart Equality. Often investigations , when the victim is LGBT, are equal to being Victimized again.

http://str8jacquet.blogspot.com/

[sabelmouse]

12:27 PM on 12/07/2010

thanks for the link.

[jerry23]

08:57 AM on 12/08/2010

You are welcomed. Only up to 1992 of documentable events. More to come. Still looking for the photo of the dead rat that was put at our door which we believe was a warning.

[Jdaddy1951]

07:25 AM on 12/07/2010

A few years back, my former wife and I were called to school because one of our sons --- not one of the gay ones --- had finally had enough of being harassed by a bully and had responded in the school cafeteria by knocking the bigger kid down by conking him on the head with his cafeteria tray and making the kid eat his lunch --- off the bottom of my son's shoe. The school cafeteria workers only saw the end of the incident, which had been escalating for some weeks off and on the school yard and the assistant principal was prepared to suspend my kid from school for a few days and not do anything to the other kid, who was a prominent doctor's son with a history of picking on other kids. They asked me to come down and take my son home. So I took off work, plopped my son down and told my son to go back to class and behave himself. I explained that this kid had been picking on my son for several weeks, following him on part of his walk home and doing the usual things that bullies do when left unchecked and I refused to allow my son to be suspended unless the other kid was suspended too. The assistant principal suggested that perhaps my son could find a different route to walk home. I suggested that perhaps I wasn't making myself clear and called my son's mother, who had the luxury of not having to return to work and being able to stay in the assistant principal's office for the rest of the week, if necessary. She showed up and proceeded to do just that. Our son did not miss any school and by the third day, the assistant principal had asked his supervisor ---- an elderly lady principal with 30 years experience, who proceeded to say, "I know that doctor's son --- his father was a bully, also. The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree." Our son was suspended from school for one day, which was acceptable to us. We did not condone violent responses from our children. The doctor's son was suspended for two and ordered to get some therapy. The senior principal apparently called the other boy's mother and had a little woman-to-woman talk and there were no more problems with the bully. And the assistant principal --- the one who suggested that my son avoid a bully by taking a longer route home --- well, his contract was not renewed. And my kids learned that if you have determination and are willing to put in some time to make your case. you can wear down the people looking for wrong-headed, easy answers to complicated problems and that you don't have to be a bully to beat a bully.

[talkstocoyotes]

11:03 AM on 12/10/2010

I understand your saying that you didn't condone a violent response; but according to your story, your son's approach to dealing with a bully was what finally got the school to act on the situation.

Most school officials still just don't want to be bothered dealing with bullying problems. That's why the suggestions for change are invariably aimed at the victim; e.g., 'he should just take a different route home.' That never works.

[Jdaddy1951]

12:43 PM on 12/10/2010

Right. My son was harassed to the point where in his immature mind, the only choice he had left was to fight back. He had a lot of stored up rage and it came out in the school cafeteria line. I'm just glad that he didn't turn his rage inside and hurt himself.

[noob1]

07:06 AM on 12/07/2010

Let's just be nice to gay people and respect their rights as individuals and Americans, eh?

[Aj Sol]

10:18 PM on 12/06/2010

This is true. Gays are punished far worse and suffer worse discrimination.

[RobtChristian]

10:36 PM on 12/06/2010

....so punish them more than a hetero who acts like a diva and narcissist?
silly logic

[jeffinmichigan]

10:01 PM on 12/06/2010

LGBT...Q?
'Questioning'?

Oh, for Christ's sakes.

[RobtChristian]

10:05 PM on 12/06/2010

LGBT is intended to emphasize a diversity of "sexuality and gender identity-b­ased cultures" and is sometimes used to refer to anyone who is non-hetero­sexual instead of exclusivel­y to people who are homosexual­, bisexual, or transgende­r.

To recognize this inclusion, a popular variant adds the letter Q for those who identify as queer and questionin­g their sexual identity (e.g., "LGBTQ" or "GLBTQ")

[daward2]

10:20 PM on 12/06/2010

Fanned for your excellent clarification. *Cheers

[Ldcook]

02:28 PM on 12/08/2010

Try this on for size:

LGBTQQAIP

:-)

[RobtChristian]

10:00 PM on 12/06/2010

That comment didn't sparkle, girlfriend.
BTW...who does your hair? It's simply marvy. I bet the guys think you're just yummy.

//sarcasm off

[daward2]

10:29 PM on 12/06/2010

If I could fan you twice, I would.

[daward2]

10:24 PM on 12/06/2010

If you were a "principle", I wouldn't send my kids to your school.

I am gay, I don't consider myself a diva--in fact, I'm pretty low key. (If in fact your labeling would consider the opposite of diva to be low key.)

Oh, by the way, Perez Hilton has nothing to do with this conversation, and he in no way represents me or most of the gay community. Go away with your hate. Flagged as abusive.

[RobtChristian]

10:30 PM on 12/06/2010

Most gays I know are also low-key. Flamboyant divas are a minority within a minority.

[MarkInEugene]

08:25 PM on 12/06/2010

A country simply cannot have a serious discussion about the cultural problems today's gay youth face along the way to adulthood when top US Senators remain in favor of DADT.

Senator John McCain proudly flaunts his disrespect for the thousands of gay and lesbian military personnel who have given their lives for this country. The memory of those who have died in service to our country is defiled by some of the most powerful leaders in its history. How sick is that my fellow Americans?

It is asinine to consider the plight of gay American youth while United States Senators apparently hold the opinion that it is good and well that thousands of gay men and women get up each day put on their gear and risk life and limb in service to an ungrateful country.

[FHTB]

08:49 PM on 12/06/2010

How dare you say it is asinine to worry about gay youth.

[DallasDon]

09:20 PM on 12/06/2010

Please don't misunderstand Mark.

Perhaps that sentence is poorly worded but he in no way intended it to mean the way you've interpreted it.
I know he's a strong supporter of gay rights and indeed does worry about the plight of gay youth.
Perhaps he can clarify this for you.

[Jdaddy1951]

07:07 AM on 12/07/2010

The only thing asinine is the way you misread what the guy above you was saying.

[mlkx]

03:01 AM on 12/07/2010

Agreed – it is very shameful that senators, congressman and others who don’t mind receiving the protection and service that gay and lesbian soldiers offer them through their service and sometimes even their very lives, don’t want to afford them a most basic of civil/human rights (being free to live openly).

DADT and marriage 'INequality' in this country sends a powerfully menacing message to LGBT youth. The abolition of DADT and the establisment of Mariage Equality in this country will go a long way to helping LGBT youth find the acceptance and compassion that all young people need and deserve as they grow up.

[mlkx]

07:41 PM on 12/06/2010

Another reason why laws, awareness and education (not just for the children) are absolutely needed

The news doesn’t surprise me but still chips away at my heart as a parent.

[Carol Snow]

07:36 PM on 12/06/2010

"Why schools and the courts come down harder on gay or bisexual youth wasn't clear from the study results," OH give me a break..... why don't we just make an inference will ya!

[Kevin Atlanta]

07:17 PM on 12/06/2010

Look at the pecking order in a flock of chickens and then get back to us in the spring.

[talkstocoyotes]

11:06 AM on 12/10/2010

Except that chickens aren't often known to turn on their young. It happens, but not nearly as often as with human beings.