While efforts to address anti-LGBT bullying have been getting a lot of attention these last few years, more and more we're coming to understand that un-addressed bullying and harassment is just one of many ways that LGBT young people—and especially LGBT youth of color—are being systematically pushed out of the education system and into poverty, homelessness, or the criminal justice system. Equality Federation Institute is proud to be working with state equality groups to address the critical issue of school pushout.

What Is School Pushout?

School pushout refers to school policies, practices, and procedures that make it more likely for students to leave school instead of finish it. LGBTQ students, students of color, immigrant students, and students with disabilities are much more likely to be impacted by “zero tolerance” policies, harsh discipline, unsafe schools, and schools with lots of police but little money or resources. They are then more likely to end up in jail or juvenile detention.

On average, states spend $88,000 a year to incarcerate one youth, but only $10,000 to educate one.

Equality Federation Institute is partnering with GSA Network to help statewide LGBT advocacy groups and state GSA networks to better protect our youth from bullying and school pushout. Right now, we’re excited to be piloting that work in partnership with Fair Wisconsin, Georgia Equality, One Colorado, OutFront Minnesota, and their local partners.

Why It Matters

According to the Center for American Progress:

“LGBTQ and gender nonconforming youth are significantly over-represented in the juvenile justice system —approximately 300,000 LGBTQ youth are arrested and/or detained each year, of which more than 60% are black or Latino. Though LGBTQ youth represent just 5% to 7% of the nation’s overall youth population, they compose 13% to 15% of those currently in the juvenile justice system.”

School pushout is a problem for LGBTQ youth and particularly those of color. Students are often suspended or expelled simply for defending themselves or others from bullying. By punishing the bullied individual for protecting themselves, schools are pushing out students by failing to address the main problem: bullying of LGBTQ students. Now, these students are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system, unable to finish their education.

We need change.

Local communities need to work to build more support systems for students; schools need to spend money on counseling for students, not cops to police them. LGBTQ students are especially at risk of being “pushed out” of school and into jail, as schools fail to address ongoing bullying.

Learn more about this critical issue and hear directly from LGBT young people in this short video produced by our partners at GSA Network and the Dignity in Schools Campaign: