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GUESTS: Alberto Valdivia, Dean of Central High School, Anjela Talamantes, school teacher in North Hollywood, Tri-C, Leonard Isenberg, school teacher at Oasis Fellowship

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network just released its 2005 National School Climate Survey. It’s the only national survey to document the experiences of students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) in US schools. The survey found that homophobic bullying is still common. In fact, three quarters of respondents heard derogatory anti-gay remarks frequently, and nearly nine out of ten reported hearing “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay,” meaning stupid or worthless, often. Over a third of students experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a quarter on the basis of their gender expression. Nearly one-fifth of students had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression. In fact, LGBT students were five times more likely to report having skipped school in the last month because of safety concerns than the general population of students. Today we look at the options that LAUSD offers for LGBT students.

To find out more about the special programs that LAUSD offers LGBTQ students, call 213-745-1901.