2015 STATE SNAPSHOT
SCHOOL CLIMATE IN
GEORGIA
Findings from the GLSEN 2015 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that Georgia schools were not safe for most
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) secondary school students. In addition, many LGBTQ students in
Georgia did not have access to important school resources, such as having Gay-Straight Alliances or similar student clubs, and
were not protected by comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment school policies.
FACT: The majority of LGBTQ students in Georgia regularly heard anti-LGBT remarks (Fig. 1). Many also regularly heard school
staff make homophobic remarks (31%) and negative remarks about someone’s gender expression (38%).
FACT: Most LGBTQ students in Georgia had been victimized at school (Fig. 2). Of those, most never reported the incident to
Figurestudents
1. Hearing
Anti-LGBT
from
Figure
2. Identity-based Harassment & Assa
school staff (58%). Only 22% of those
who
reportedRemarks
incidents
said it resulted in effective staff
intervention.
Students in Georgia Schools
in Georgia Schools
(percentage
of
LGBTQ
students
hearing
remarks
(percentage
of
LGBTQ
students harassed or assa
Figure 1. Hearing Anti-LGBT Remarks from
Figure 2. Identity-based Harassment & Assault
sometimes, often, or frequently)
Students in Georgia Schools
in Georgia Schools
Sexual
(percentage of 100%
LGBTQ students
(percentage of LGBTQ
students harassed or assaulted)
93%hearing remarks
31%
88%
Orientation
sometimes, often, or frequently) 87%
13%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
93%
80%
87%
60%
Sexual
72%
Orientation
88%
72%
40%
20%
71%
Gender 31%
13%
Expression
Gender
Expression
9%
55%
21%
9% Gender
Gender
0%
“Gay” Used in Homophobic
Negative
Negative
Race
or
a Negative
Remarks
Remarks
Remarks
Ethnicity
0%
Way (e.g.,
‘fag” about Gender
about
“Gay” Used in Homophobic
Negative (e.g., Negative
so
“dyke”)
Transgender
a Negative
Remarks “that’s
Remarks
Remarks Expression Disability
People
Way (e.g.,
(e.g., ‘fag” gay”)
about Gender
about
“that’s so
“dyke”)
Expression
Transgender
0%
gay”)
People
8%
44%
23%
0%
20%
44%
18%
28%
10%
4% Harassment
Verbal
23%
9% Harassment
Physical
6%
18%or
Race
8% Ethnicity
28%
10%
Disability
4%
9%
6%
55%
21%
40%
Physical Assault
20%
60%
40%
Verbal Haras
Physical Har
Physical Ass
60%
80%
FACT: Many LGBTQ students in Georgia reported discriminatory policies or practices at their school (Fig. 3). More than 2 in 3
(70%) experienced at least one form of discrimination at school during the past year.
• Nearly 2 in 5 LGBTQ students in Georgia were disciplined for
Figure 3. Discrimination Against LGBTQ Students
in Georgia Schools
public affection that does not result in similar action when it
(percentage
that were prevented from...)
occurs between non-LGBTQ students (37%).
Figure 3. Discrimination Against
LGBTQ Students
Schools
• In Georgia, over 1 in 5 LGBTQ students (22%), and about 2 in in Georgia
Expressing
PDA from...)
in School
(percentage that were
prevented
3 transgender students (65%), were unable to use the school
restroom that aligned with their gender. Additionally, over 1
Expressing PDA in SchoolWearing Clothes Considered 37%
in 5 LGBTQ students (22%), and half of transgender students
Inappropriate for Their Gender
(50%), were prevented from using their preferredWearing
name and
Clothes Considered
Bringing a Same-gender Date
32%
gender pronouns in school.
Inappropriate for Their Gender
37%
32%
24%
to a School Dance
• LGBTQ students experienced other forms of school
Bringing a Same-gender Date
Using the Bathroom or24%
Locker
discrimination (not in Fig. 3): being unable to wear
to aLGBTSchool Dance
Room that Aligns with Gender
supportive apparel (18%), being unable to discuss LGBT issues
Usingthemes
the Bathroom
in assignments (19%), being unable to include LGBT
in or Locker
Using Their Preferred22%
Name
Room
that Aligns with Gender
extracurricular activities (e.g. school yearbook, Day
of Silence)
or Gender Pronoun
(22%), and being prevented or discouraged from Using
playing
school
Their
Preferred Name
22%
Forming or Promoting
a GSA
sports due to an LGBT identity (11%).
or Gender Pronoun
Forming or Promoting a GSA
20%
0%
GLSEN
110 William Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038
20%
22%
22%
20%
0%
20%
40%
40%
(212) 727-0135 . glsen.org
facebook.com/glsen . twitter: @glsen
Figure 4. Availability of LGBT-Related Resources &
Forming or Promoting a GSA
20%
0%
20%
40%
FACT: Many LGBTQ students in Georgia did not have access to in-school resources and supports (Fig. 4).
• Only 3% attended a school with a comprehensive
anti-bullying/harassment policy that included specific
protections based on sexual orientation and gender
identity/expression.
• The majority could identify at least one school staff
member supportive of LGBT students, but only 49%
could identify 6 or more supportive school staff.
• Only 28% had access to a Gay-Straight Alliance or
similar student club that provides a safe and affirming
space and promotes a more welcoming school climate
for LGBTQ students.
• Only about 3 in 10 could access information about
LGBT communities on school Internet.
Figure 4. Availability of LGBT-Related Resources &
Supports in Georgia Schools
3%
Comprehensive Policy
At Least One
Supportive Educator
95%
6 or More Supportive
Educators
49%
Gay-Straight Alliance
28%
9%
Inclusive Curriculum
Library Resources
36%
Internet Access
32%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
RECOMMENDATIONS
School-based supports such as comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies, school personnel who are supportive of
LGBTQ students, Gay-Straight Alliances, and LGBT-inclusive curricular resources can positively affect school climate for LGBTQ
students. Findings from the 2015 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that students attending schools with these
resources and supports report more positive school experiences, including lower victimization and absenteeism and higher
academic achievement.
Given the high percentages of LGBTQ students in Georgia who experience harassment at school and the limited access to key
resources and supports that can have a positive effect on their school experiences, it is critical that Georgia school leaders,
education policymakers, and other individuals who are obligated to provide safe learning environments for all students take the
following steps:
• Implement comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies;
• Support Gay-Straight Alliances;
• Provide professional development for school staff on LGBTQ student issues; and
• Increase student access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources.
These actions can move us toward a future in which all students in Georgia will have the opportunity to learn and succeed in
school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
To learn more about GLSEN and to get involved, visit glsen.org or contact [email protected].
To get involved in the Atlanta chapter, visit glsen.org/chapters/atlanta or contact [email protected].
ABOUT THE RESEARCH In 2015, GLSEN conducted the ninth National School Climate Survey (NSCS), a biennial survey of the experiences
of LGBTQ youth in U.S. secondary schools. The national sample consisted of 10,528 LGBTQ students from all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. A total of 319 respondents were attending schools in Georgia. The Georgia sample was majority White/European American (67%),
11% Hispanic/Latino, 10% Multiracial, 7% Black/African American, 2% Asian/South Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% Arab/Middle Eastern, and
2% Native American. The gender composition was 30% cisgender male, 32% cisgender female, 13% transgender, 13% genderqueer, and
12% another gender (e.g., genderfluid). Most (93%) attended public schools. The school community makeup was 41% rural/small town, 43%
suburban, and 16% urban. The results reported for Georgia have a margin of error of +/-5%.
For the full 2015 National School Climate Survey report or for any other GLSEN research, go to glsen.org/research.
Follow @GLSENResearch on Twitter.
Suggested citation: GLSEN. (2017. School Climate in Georgia (State Snapshot). New York: GLSEN.
GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools
for all students.
© GLSEN 2017
GLSEN
110 William Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038
(212) 727-0135 . glsen.org
facebook.com/glsen . twitter: @glsen