Are 'gay friendly' schools really the answer to bullying?

Wednesday, 19th November 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Following the success of New York City's Harvey Milk High School, Chicago has announced its own plans to open a 'gay friendly' school in 2010.

In a study carried out by Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, 86 per cent of LGBT students reported experiences of bullying and harassment on the grounds of their sexual orientation and 44 per cent admitting having been physically assaulted at some point.

Chicago Public Schools found that gay students were three times as likely to skip school on account of feeling unsafe and it was this discovery that prompted CPS chief Arne Duncan to push forward with plans for a new kind of educational atmosphere. The School for Social Justice Pride Campus would take in 600 students, both gay and straight and it is expected that its safe haven image would make it attractive to a variety of vulnerable groups.

But you have to wonder whether this kind of segregation is really the answer. True, the Harvey Milk school has a graduation rate of 90 per cent - well above the regional average of 60 per cent - but academic achievement is not the issue here.

Rather than isolating LGBT teens in a proposal that reeks of 'special school', the public education system needs to look closely at its policy of tolerance and promoting diversity.

With better support and a tougher stance on bullying, surely every school should be able to call itself 'gay friendly'.

Please add your comment here. Your Name *: Email (private) *: Town : Country :

Quick Links