About two-thirds of LGBTQ+ students reported feeling unsafe because of their identity in the 2024–25 school year, according to results from an annual survey by Glisten (formerly GLSEN).
Many LGBTQ+ youth reported that their school climate felt more hostile due to the current political landscape.
“At a moment when young people’s identities are being debated and restricted, this study speaks truth to a menacing power,” wrote Glisten CEO Melanie Willingham-Jaggers. “We share this to make space for their brilliance and their dreams. To educators, families, and policymakers: LGBTQ+ students are telling us what they need. The question is whether we are willing to listen and to build schools that don’t just tolerate them, but actively affirm and protect their right to learn and belong.”
Results comprise survey results from 2,800 LGBTQ+ students across the U.S., as well as findings from focus groups held with 36 students who were either under-represented in national LGBTQ+ research or within Glisten’s own sample.
Over half of respondents said they faced LGBTQ+-related discrimination such as being prevented from using locker rooms aligning with their gender identities, but restrooms were another key place where friction occurs regularly for students.
More than 40 percent of “gender-expansive” students (e.g. transgender, nonbinary, intersex youth, etc.) reported having been stopped or punished for using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity, and 64 percent said they had avoided school bathrooms completely.
Other key findings show that:
- Just 30 percent of LGBTQ+ students “frequently” or “often” look forward to school.
- More than 60 percent of students reported experiencing verbal, physical or online harassment/assault because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
- Almost 90 percent of trans and gender-expansive students avoided certain school areas.
- Within focus groups, transfemme students — those who are assigned male at birth but identify as female — experienced both unclear policies and weak implementation, while intersex students reported harmful representation in sex education and Black LGBTQ+ participants said they often felt disconnected from affinity clubs like the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).
- LGBTQ+ students with more supportive educators, anti-bullying policies that explicitly mention sexual orientation and gender identity, LGBTQ+-inclusive learning and GSA presence report a higher sense of belonging and higher academic achievement. These students were also less likely to miss school due to feeling unsafe.
Recommendations
Youth emphasized the importance of peer connections and friendships in their schools, and provided several suggestions to policymakers. Asked, “What can my school do to be safe and affirming?” survey participants highlighted changes necessary to improve their school experience, including:
- Actively affirming students by providing safety through support and care by listening and believing LGBTQ+ students when they report bullying or harassment, taking action to stop violence and caring for students holistically — including their mental health in addition to their academic success.
- Prohibiting teachers and staff from perpetuating a hostile climate for LGBTQ+ students, and exercising zero tolerance for their bigoted language or actions. Schools should also regularly train teachers and school staff about supporting LGBTQ+ students.
- Rather than punishments such as lunch detentions or suspensions, schools should hold bullies in the student body accountable. For example, making them reflect on their behavior, apologize sincerely in writing and reading it aloud to their victims. Teachers should also include parents in any accountability process for their children’s bullying behaviors.
These and other recommendations are detailed further in the report, which also provides resources for students, families and local educational agencies.
