Every student should feel safe entering the educational institution without preparing for anything bad that could come. Sadly, this is not the case for many LGBTQ+ youth. According to federal statistics, the situation is disturbing. According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 19% of U.S. high school students were involved in bullying incidents on school property during the previous year. At the same time, LGBTQ+ individuals were considerably more likely to experience bullying compared to cisgender and heterosexual teenagers (CDC, 2024).
The difference becomes even more significant taking into account the gender identities. Research shows that nearly 40% of transgender and questioning students have been bullied at school, while the number for cisgender males was 14.8%. Moreover, it was registered that 72% of transgender students felt constantly sad or hopeless, and 26% of transgender individuals attempted suicide in the last year, whereas only 5% of cisgender male students tried to do so (Suarez et al., 2024).
Bullying is not necessarily connected only with physical actions. The 2025 National School Climate Survey reports that 62% of LGBTQ+ people experienced sexual orientation-based harassment or assault, and 68% of respondents experienced gender identity/expression-based harassment or assault (Glisten, 2025). Importantly, 27% of those respondents who were harassed did not report any information about the cases to school personnel.
What Actually Works
The promising aspect from this research is that the decisions made by the school make an actual difference. GLSEN’s findings from their National School Climate Survey indicated that students in schools with supportive LGBTQ+ resources report better school experiences, reduced instances of victimization and absenteeism, and increased academic success (GLSEN, 2022).
These resources include the following practical measures:
Gender and sexual alliances (GSAs). The presence of a supervised student club indicates that LGBTQ+ students are seen as part of the community rather than a tolerated minority.
Supportive teachers on display. GLSEN measures access to “six or more supportive educators” as a separate protective factor. Students need to be aware of who will take reports seriously.
Anti-bullying policies listing sexual orientation and gender identity. Explicitness in the list of protected attributes removes any ambiguity and gives staff a legal basis for action.
Policies for trans and non-binary students. Procedures addressing names, pronouns, records, and facilities eliminate everyday friction which erodes students’ feeling of belonging.
Curriculum and library resources representing the community. Representation in the materials being taught and available sends the message of belonging in the most effective way possible.
Closing the Reporting Gap
Closing the Reporting Gap
The 27% non-reporting figure is the most actionable number here. Students stay silent when they expect disbelief, inaction, or outing. Anonymous reporting channels, staff trained to respond without requiring a student to justify their identity, and follow-through that’s visibly communicated all shift that calculus.
Where to Start
No school implements all of this at once. Begin by auditing what already exists: Is there a GSA? Do staff know the reporting pathway? Does your policy enumerate protected categories? Pick the weakest link and fix it this term.
Safety isn’t a slogan or a poster in the corridor. It’s the accumulated effect of policies, practices, and adults who follow through. For LGBTQ+ students, that difference isn’t abstract — the data shows it determines whether they attend, engage, and graduate. This post builds on our earlier analysis of how bullying shapes school climates and student mental health.
