Kitsap Safe Schools Network

Because nobody should be scared at school ~
straight, gay, whatever

The Kitsap Safe Schools Network is a growing partnership of community groups, agencies, churches, youth groups, parents and individuals working together to protect every child from the torment of bullying, including bullying based on perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
RESOURCES & INFORMATION — If you need a classroom presentation, curricula, videos, books, and posters that teach students and staff about GLBT issues in age-appropriate ways, contact us!
TRAINING — If you or your staff want help making your school climate more respectful toward sexual minority students, if you want to organize a bullying workshop, contact us!
COUNSELING — We help fund counseling for students and their families with respected community therapists.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION — We have research findings and reports to share with colleagues and parents.

Kitsap Safe Schools
Intervention

Some Recent Research on 
Anti-Gay Bullying
If you, your child or your students are having a problem with anti-gay bullying at school and you want help solving the problem, contact us!

WHAT IS AN INTERVENTION?
It is a way for a student, parent or educator to get help with anti-gay bullying or harassment. A trained volunteer will help you decide what to do next. If you need it, we will
  • meet with your principal
  • meet with your parents
  • review your school’s policies
  • provide training for your school
  • find other resources to support you 

Your wishes and safety are our only concern, and will guide any intervention.

 2009 National School Climate Survey: Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT Students Experience Harassment in School

Sept 14, 2010    GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, today marks the culmination of 10 years of pioneering research documenting the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students with the release of The 2009 National School Climate Survey.

The 2009 survey of 7,261 middle and high school students found that at school nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school in the past year and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation. Nearly a third of LGBT students skipped at least one day of school in the past month because of safety concerns.

An analysis of National School Climate Survey data over 10 years showed that since 1999 there has been a decreasing trend in the frequency of hearing homophobic remarks; however, LGBT students' experiences with more severe forms of bullying and harassment have remained relatively constant.

"In 1999, GLSEN began data collection on the school experiences of LGBT students in order to fill a critical void in our knowledge and understanding of the ways LGBT issues play out in schools. It could not be clearer that there is an urgent need for action to create safe and affirming schools for LGBT students," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "As our nation seems to finally be taking bullying more seriously, it is crucial that LGBT students are no longer left out of efforts to address this public health crisis."

More results at www.glsen.org

Funding from community donations, the Pam Foster & Liz Austin Fund, and the Pride Foundation supports our work.