A majority of LGBT students reported being bullied in high school, according to a recent study.
According to the National School Climate Survey 86.4 percent LGBT students reported being threatened and called names, and 18.8 percent reported being physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation.
“I don’t blame high school students for bullying because their values and thought process are being influenced by their parents and churches so I have more sympathy towards that,” explained Richard Scott, assistant director at the Center for Counseling, Learning and Testing. “When I see mature adults engaging in bullying, it’s like, why? You’re a 45 year old man, and you have nothing better to do than to harass a colleague at work for something that is really none of your business.”
Scott said observations of bullying are not rare.
There are even diversity factors that play a role towards acceptance. According to the National School Climate Survey, 44.7 percent of LGBT people of color reported that they were verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation and their race.
“Within the African-American community LGBT issues can be much more difficult than others. I definitely feel like there can be more prejudice in the African-American community,” said Scott. “I think there’s a lot more churches that are less LGBT affirming and accepting than in other churches that are not necessarily disproportionate to African-Americans,” he explained.
A lot of the bullying and harassing, according to Scott, originates from miseducation.
“A good amount stems from prejudice. Most of the individuals I know that have engaged in bullying are misinformed and are completely lacking that knowledge and background,” he said.
The University of Memphis seems to be making positive move towards progression and acceptance in regards to the LGBT community according to Scott.
“As a university, we’re doing quite well. There’s still work to do and a ways to go, but I’m very happy the way things are going so far,” Scott said.
On campus, there are several organizations and more than 250 faculty members, staff and students that are helping to raise awareness towards the LGBT community such as the Stonewall Tigers and SafeZone. Based on a study from Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology students who feel accepted and welcomed in their schools significantly predicts overall mental health as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Depending on how supportive a school is, it could either help or hurt a student of the LGBT community. According to 2010 School Health Profile Survey, “Lesbian and gay youth in positive school climates experienced a 70 percent lower probability of suicidal ideation compared to those in states or cities with less-inclusive school climates, while bisexual youth had a 80 percent lower probability.”
“I have met people that are very anti-LGBT but then when they meaningfully interact with the LGBT community they realize that LGBT individuals are no different than anyone else. They have the same hopes and dreams. They’re your friends. They’re your neighbors. They’re just a part of the fabric of the community,” said Scott.
