Chapter 4: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Education: Making Schools Safe for All Students

In recent years, public discourse has increasingly focused on the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Antigay harassment has been widely publicized in the media. Programs intended to support LGBT youth, such as school-based gay-straight alliances, have engendered considerable debate. Public discussions of these issues have attracted commentary across the entire spectrum of opinion. Some religious and political figures have been vociferous in their opposition to LGBT communities. On the other side, many openly LGBT or allied writers, politicians, religious leaders, and celebrities have voiced their support. In one particularly high-profile example, President Barack Obama was the first U.S. president to voice his support for LGBT people in an inaugural address, and his administration has continued to advance the cause of equal rights for LGBT citizens of all ages. In addition, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students themselves are increasingly joining the debate. Why is there so much discussion of LGBT youth today?