School safety experiences of high school youth across sexual orientation and gender identity. (September 2019) - Atteberry-Ash, Brittanie
Abstract: School safety is considered a public health crisis with severe consequences on students' physical and emotional wellbeing. Although previous research highlights the disparities regarding safety in schools for LGBQ and transgender students, few studies examine the nuances between sexual orientation and gender identity. This study ( N = 11, 986) uses the 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Study to examine differential experiences of school safety when looking at the various intersections of gender identity and sexual orientation. Logistic regression results indicate that school safety feeling safe at school), bullying, and skipping school due to feeling unsafe are shared experiences, especially among LGBQ and transgender youth, and that these experiences are differentially based on the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity. Highlights: School safety experiences are differential based on the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity. Students who identified as transgender, regardless of sexual orientation, were at the highest risk for school safety indicators. This elevated trend is also present for students who reported they did not know if they were transgender and were LGB or questioning. Black, Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Multiracial students all reported higher odds of skipping school due to safety. Passing anti-bullying policies at both the state and district level is crucial.