Written by Henry Jansky
Being an LGBTQ+ student in American high schools is a journey. Acknowledging the ways to maneuver emotional stress that may hinder you going forth may be very inspiring for you and your story about getting into college and institutions in the future. Knowing your history leading to specific advantages and specific issues is going to be very important in your young life. Become aware of who you are, and use it. Below are some statistics and history that will help you achieve your goals throughout high school that will help you in the future.
Being LGBTQ+ In Highschool In The Past
Being recognized as a homosexual in America in the past was considered detrimental in regards to who you are, and what you’re worth. It was an obstacle trying to maneuver as a member of the LGBT community more specifically in high school when homosexuality was considered a mental illness in the 1970s, decreasing your chances everywhere, and getting harassed daily throughout high school.
With that being known there were very few out LGBT members in the STEM field who came from high school. This was not a happy time indeed, and I personally don’t know what I would’ve done in a situation so horrific as this so I don’t take anything for granted.
The Social Advantage Of Being LGBTQ+ In High School Currently.
Within this new decade, being a part of the LGBTQ+ Community is generally more mainstream in our youth. GLAAD recently confirmed that most young adults (Gen Z) exhibit acceptance towards LGBT teens in highschools leading to a safer environment to work and ensure an academic pathway to a university in hopes of starting a decent career that was never as accessible in recent years. Talking about this generation in regards to LGBT struggles is so crucial in regards to the change we want and how we’re going to achieve that all together so more LGBT teens in high school shift forward. Ways you can help would be through posters encouraging love, the inclusion of LGBT students in academic clubs, Gay-Straight Alliance, and many more.
Encouraging Change For Future LGBT Teens In High School Pursuing The STEM Route.
Living during this era is a better benefit than what the average high school student would’ve thought. This is a step forward to ensure LGBTQ+ teens get to college successfully and enjoy their high school experiences. 15% of LGBT men and 35% of LGBT women felt unsafe within the STEM community, and it all links back to oppression within the school. We’re just now progressing to a new era to finally represent our LGBT doctors and engineers, music artists, etc which would lead to a shift in acceptance that will protect future generations of LGBT students in highschools.
References:
Picture from: Boustani, Karim. "STEM needs to face up to its problem with LGBT diversity." Imperial London College, National Lung and heart institute, 29 Feb. 2019, wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/blog/imperial-medicine/2019/02/27/stem-needs-to-face-up-to-its-problem-with-lgbt-diversity/. Accessed 22 October. 2020.
Schlanger, Zoe. "A teen health survey crucial to US public policy is finally asking kids about their sexual orientation." QAURTZ.COM, 25 June 2017, qz.com/1014142/a-teen-health-survey-crucial-to-us-public-policy-is-finally-asking-kids-about-their-sexual-orientation/. Accessed 22 October. 2020.
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