Chapter 5: Safe Schools Coalitions in the Deep South: Exploring Stories of Formation, Diversity, and Communication

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are a community that is diverse, resourceful, and strong. LGBTQ youth are leaders in their communities and in their schools. Increasingly, these youths are forming support networks both in person and online to assist each other in coming out, transitioning, and in understanding their own identities and experiences (Craig & McInroy, 2014). These strengths are prevalent both in the Southern United States and beyond its borders.

Despite these strengths, LGBTQ youth have to cope in an overarching society that is oppressive to their identities and experiences. Researchers, educators, and community organizers have noted that systemic oppression against LGBTQ youth occurs in families, faith communities, and in schools (Craig & McInroy, 2014; Grossman & D’Augelli, 2007; Kosciw et al., 2016). As a result of trying to cope with this systemic oppression, LGBTQ youth are often at risk of negative health and safety outcomes when compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers. For example, LGBTQ youth are two and a half times more likely to have a history of mental health diagnoses compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers (Meyer, 2013). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual teenagers attempt suicide at rates five times higher than their straight peers (Hatzebuehler, 2011). Transgender teenagers are particularly vulnerable to suicidal ideation, with 45% of transgender teenagers reporting suicidal thoughts (Grossman & D’Augelli, 2007).