Recently Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) handed out a survey during seminar asking students if they felt that U. City was safe and friendly towards LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender) students. The majority of students believed that our school was safe for LGBT students. Most students don’t see violence towards the LGBT community and haven’t been bullied in the past 12 months for sexual orientation.

However, the survey found that 41% of students agreed that they hear anti-LGBT slurs not directed at specific people, and 17% hear them directed at specific people several times a day. These slurs seem to be overlooked by teachers too, with 83% of students agreeing that teachers do not step in when they hear a slur in their classroom.

“I think it depends on the situation, to stop a class every time we hear a slur doesn’t help whose who are doing what they are supposed to be doing, but writing students up and talking to them about what they are saying would help,” said Ms. Woodward, social worker.

Many students admit that they don’t step up when they hear anti-LGBT slurs at school. Roman Cotruta, junior, said that students should step up for LGBT students.

“I think people should step in, but nobody does, they just stand, and look and laugh,” he said.

The majority of people at U. City also don’t know where they would go if they were struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity and needed help. Tave Hollins suggested the guidance office but realized that some people may not feel comfortable with them. U. City does provide support at the guidance office, with the social worker and a GSA club which promotes acceptance.

Many teachers would be happy to help students but students don’t know who to talk to. Kara Richardson, sophomore, believes that this could be fixed.

“Teachers and staff should be more open about their views and let kids know its okay to talk about it,”  said Richardson.

U. City also lacks education in LGBT history and lifestyle, with 59% of our students having never been taught anything about the LGBT community. Sam Kent thinks that our school should teach an overview of LGBT history in America, while others such as Richardson and one of the anonymous survey takers think that our school should go as far as teaching a separate class for LGBT history similar to the African American Experience class taught by Mr. Horn. One survey even suggested reading books about LGBT characters in Lit and Comp classes.

According to the survey, many don’t think it is possible to open the minds of students at U. City. Multiple responses made the points that homophobia starts and ends at home, and education can make a difference, but it can’t fix the whole problem without the cooperation of parents.

Survey conducted in January 2014 during seminar with 116 students who responded.