This feature is a collection of brief essays recently written by Australian, New Zealand, and American lesbians followed by commentaries from several leading educators and scholars. Their commentaries are followed with brief comments by some of these young writers.

This essay analyzes the growth of associational identity and ethical community encouraged by Gay-Straight Alliances, using queer theory to analyze their ideas and practices. Following an analysis of the Equal Access Act, which has provided space and time to extracurricular public school groups, the author turns to accounts of students involved in…

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth are coming out at younger ages, but schools have not changed as fast as the culture, leaving many youth isolated and at risk of violence and harassment. For GLBT youth of color, these problems are exacerbated by racism and the risk of rejection by their ethnic community. Children of GLBT parents…

From kindergarten to college, transgender and gender-nonconforming students face many challenges in school and classroom settings. The 2003 School Climate Survey, conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, shows that more than 25% of transgender students reported experiencing verbal or physical harassment because of their gender…

This case study details the events surrounding a gay student's "coming out" in a small, rural high school. Through the eyes and experiences of the student, his teachers, classmates, and community, we hear the story of how the school and community dealt with an issue they had never before actively considered. Through qualitative interviews, the…

Prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual students, faculty, and staff on college campuses is an important issue that demands attention. Intolerance for the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community is often intensified by a lack of knowledge and understanding between heterosexuals and the LGB community, a problem that could…

Reports on the school climate for gay and lesbian students in the United States suggest that negative attitudes toward gay and lesbian individuals are quite common in adolescence. Very little research, however, has investigated adolescents' sexual prejudice from a developmental perspective. In this study, 10th- (N = 119) and 12th- (N = 145) grade…

Authors of this collection address the difficulties and complexities of apprehending the reality of "others" when the caregivers or those receiving care or both are from historically marginalized groups. Caring across social barriers as demonstrated in caring relationships in schools is explored in: (1) "Caring and the Open Moment…

This paper presents data from the 2001 National School Climate Survey on school-related experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. LGBT students described experiences of homophobic remarks; verbal, physical, and sexual harassment; and comfort within their schools. They described experiences with racial and sexual…

This report presents information on the University of Massachusetts Boston's Diversity Research Initiative (DRI). Section 1, "Essays by Participant Observers," includes "Building a Diversity Research Initiative: An Introduction" (Esther Kingston-Mann); "Diversity Imperative: Reflections on the Diversity Research…

Discusses the needs of lesbians and homosexuals in community colleges in terms of heterosexism. Cites specific examples of heterosexism on campus and defines homophobia, internalized homophobia, and heterosexism. Utilizes interactionist theory to identify sources of heterosexism. Discusses "coming out," and suggests solutions to…

Discusses various issues related to gay and lesbian students and art education. These include the harassment, intimidation, and alienation experienced by gay and lesbian students. Briefly covers the creation of gay/lesbian teacher and student organizations and their attempts to address these problems. (MJP)

Argues that all children have the right to a safe environment in which to learn, and the right to achieve their full human potential, no matter what their sexual orientation. Highlights needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students in schools. Examines challenges in personnel, curriculum, policies, and parental involvement facing…

Transgender students are becoming more visible on college campuses. This qualitative study examines the experiences of undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as transgender. Most of the participants reported that a hostile climate for transgender students exists on their campuses and that their colleges lack resources and education…

This qualitative study explored the experiences of five gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents' perspectives on their schools' acceptance of their sexual orientation, and perceptions of these schools' approach to suicide risk intervention. Focus groups were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through constant comparative analysis. Themes that…