For all you straights and LGBTQ+s, this is for you. LGBTQ+ bullying in school should be stopped and addressed because bullying is not good for mental health. You may think that being straight as a ruler isn’t a problem, but neither is anything else, so for all you bullies, keep your noses out of the people’s business and keep your long nose in your own. I am bisexual, and my best friends are pansexual, gay, straight, and bi. I know they have been bullied for this, and I have been bullied, too. My school deals with bullies by having the students point them out. The bullies go to the principal and talk to them and then get a punishment. To preserve all students’ mental health, LGBTQ+ bullying in school should be handled like this in all schools.
Queer kids are four times more likely to have depression than straight kids. Homophobic bullies might use hurtful language or make fun of LGBTQ+ students’ appearance or identity. According to HRC.org, “[this] bullying can cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues in LGBTQ+ kids.” In fact, according to the same source, “29% of transgender youth, 21% of gay and lesbian youth and 22% of bisexual youth have attempted suicide.” I think schools should have anti-bullying programs during and after school, including therapy sessions that make the bullied child feel comfortable being around the other students and not worry about being bullied.
I found some solutions on Forbes.com, which said, “Treat [LGBTQ+ students] the way you would treat any child; provide representation and advocate when necessary.” One way to help is to create therapy that actually works, like letting bullied students talk, talking with the parents later, or not talk at all when they ask not to talk.
In addition, there should be expectations for teachers with these matters. For example, there should be consequences for teachers who don’t intervene. If LGBTQ+ students are bullied and the teacher does not help, the teacher gets a warning. In addition, teachers should just watch the kids and get to know them. Learn how it is best to help all students become comfortable and to be whatever they want to be. We also have our own brains, and there are too many things going on up there and around us sometimes for kids to handle. You want to help, don’t you? It says on Forbes.com that getting support will help “boost [bullied students’] confidence in themselves.” We are the future, so do you want a broken future, or do you want to support future generations?
