Source+1

http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/


 * 9 out of 10 LGBT students report being harassed at school in the last year.
 * Over one-third of LGBT students have been physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
 * A lot of anti-LGBT language is said carelessly, and isn’t intended as negative or hurtful. Understand what you’re saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose.
 * **Coming Out:** the process of acknowledging one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity to other people. For most LGBT people this is a life-long process.
 * **Gay:** a person who is attracted only to members of the same sex. Although it can be used for any sex (e.g. gay man, gay woman, gay person), “lesbian” is usually the preferred term for women who are attracted to women.
 * **Ally:** any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people.
 * **Queer:** an umbrella term used by some LGBT people to refer to themselves. In the past, this term has been considered offensive and some LGBT people still consider it so.
 * **Closeted / “In the Closet”:** describes a person who keeps their sexual orientation or gender identity a secret from some or all people.
 * Many people will try to excuse verbal bullying saying it has no effect. But that’s not true. While sometimes all people have is hurt feelings, sometimes the results of anti-LGBT taunting can have devastating effects
 * Schools nationwide can be unsafe environments for students that identify as or perceived to be lesbian, gay bisexual or transgender (LGBT).
 * A distressing majority of middle and high school students have reported being verbally or physically harassed at school:
 * **86.2%** of lgbt students reported being verbally harassed at school
 * **44.1%**of lgbt students reported being physically harassed at school
 * **60.8%** of lgbt students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation
 * **22.1%** of lgbt students reported being physically assaulted at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.