Student-on-Student Sexual Orientation Harassment: Legal Protections for Sexual Minority Youth

Like all teens, sexual minority youths (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) face many challenges, including student-on-student sexual orientation harassment. The authors examine recent research into the relative frequency, the potential impact, and school district responsibility to protect sexual minority youths from ongoing student-on-student harassment perpetrated on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation. Federal courts are holding school districts liable under certain conditions for failing to protect sexual minority youths from harassment. The authors discuss the controversy school leaders may face when developing policies and practices to support sexual minority youths in their schools. The authors also provide several recommendations for school leaders to provide support for sexual minority youths and protect the district from liability.