The Experiences and Perceptions of Harassment and Discrimination of LGBTQ+ Youth in High Schools

This chapter examines the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in U.S. high schools, highlighting how heteronormativity and discriminatory practices shape their educational environments and outcomes. Drawing on national survey data, it demonstrates that LGBTQ+ students face disproportionately high levels of verbal harassment, physical victimization, and exclusion from school spaces and activities. These experiences foster unsafe school climates, increase absenteeism, and negatively affect academic performance and psychological well-being. The chapter explores the historical and ongoing influence of heteronormativity in education, revealing how curricula, school staff behaviors, and institutional policies reinforce gender binaries and heterosexual norms. It also details the significant gaps in staff intervention, the lack of an inclusive curriculum, and the ways in which disciplinary practices and restrictive policies silence LGBTQ+ identities. Legal protections such as the First and Fourteenth Amendments, Title IX, and the Equal Access Act are discussed, alongside their inconsistent application in schools. The chapter emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive anti-bullying policies, inclusive curricula, professional development for educators, and the support of student-led organizations such as Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) to improve school climate. By reducing victimization and promoting affirming environments, schools can enhance LGBTQ+ students’ mental health, academic achievement, and sense of belonging.