U.S. Policy Interventions That Can Make Schools Safer

ABSTRACT “No promo homo” laws in a few states seek to prevent schools from openly supporting LGBT students. However, there is evidence that public support is growing for the implementation of gay-straight alliances, nondiscrimination policies, and other interventions designed to counteract and prevent violence and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in public schools. Eight states and the District of Columbia have a sexual orientation non-discrimination and/or anti-harassment law, and at least six states have regulations addressing sexual orientation bias. A growing body of research indicates that these interventions are helping to make LGBT students feel safer. Additionally, school districts that choose not to voluntarily implement these interventions may be convinced to do so by the increasing number of successful lawsuits that have held schools liable for failing to protect LGBT youth from pervasive harassment and violence.