LGBTQIA youth deserve to feel safe, respected and included at school. Yet LGBTQIA youth in Texas face bullying and harassment at alarming rates.

A 2009 GLSEN study found that nearly 90 percent of LGBTQIA youth surveyed had experienced verbal harassment, with 30 percent experiencing physical harassment and assault. When students don’t feel safe in school, they miss more days of class and cannot learn effectively.

But LGBTQIA youth not only are ostracized on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, they often face several layers of discrimination including racism, xenophobia, classism, discrimination based on disabilities and other forms of exclusion in their daily lives. According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQIA youth are as much as four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, often because of the pressures of facing discrimination on a daily basis.

LGBTQIA youth come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and creating more inclusive and welcoming educational environments benefits all students. Students are forming Gay-Straight or Queer-Straight Alliance Clubs (GSAs/QSAs) and creating safe spaces for themselves where there have been none. Currently, there are 85 such clubs in schools across Texas.

Having visible and knowledgeable adult allies in schools also makes a tremendous difference in students feeling safe at school. Not only must LGBTQIA issues be included in the curriculum, and talked about openly and regularly, resources and support systems outside the classroom must be made available.

If you are a student or faculty member interested in forming a GSA/QSA, or in seeking support or training for your school or club, Out Youth’s Texas GSA Network can help. The Texas GSA Network is a youth-directed program that provides tools and resources to youth and adult allies to make schools safer. Additionally, Out Youth partners with Communities in Schools and school administrations to facilitate support groups on school campuses.

If you are interested in creating a GSA or support group at your school, please contact Out Youth at 512-419-1233.