Minnesota schools remain hostile for gay teens

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/124656044.html

One in five GLBT students were physically assaulted in Minnesota schools due to their sexual orientation, according to survey results from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The figures add to the growing evidence that schools are hostile places for gay students, and to the public attention that has grown since reports of suicides involving gay students.

Released Tuesday, the 2009 results are based on responses from 181 teens in Minnesota who identified themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The state-specific release is based on survey results from 7,261 teens nationally that were released last fall.

Among the Minnesota teens, 84 percent said their sexual orientation resulted in verbal harassment, 47 percent said it resulted in physical harassment, and 19 percent said it led to physical assaults. (The survey defined physical harassment as being pushed or shoved, and defined assault as being punched, kicked or injured by a weapon.)

Almost all GLBT students in the survey reported hearing the word "gay" used in a negative way -- such as "that's so gay!" -- and hearing classmates use homophobic remarks.