International perspectives on homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools

ABSTRACT

There has been increasing international attention to the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in schools, and a growing concern regarding anti-LGBT violence and bias directed at youth as a serious human rights issue and barrier to global development goals. This special issue highlights research that has been done with and/or by nongovernmental organizations and provides a global perspective on the experiences of LGBT students. These articles provide insight into school climate for LGBT students in different country contexts but also on the efficacy of interventions on behalf of these youth (e.g., anti-bullying policies, educator professional development, awareness campaigns). Furthermore, this special issue demonstrates the multiple roles that research has played within advocacy communities working to create safer and more affirming school experiences for LGBT youth.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-based research
• international research
• LGBT youth

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge those individuals from GLSEN and Teachers College, Columbia University, who provided editorial assistance for many of the articles in this collection: Anshuri Alva, Pete Bjorklund, Noah Drezner, Ji Liu, Neal Palmer, Kristen Rucki, and Estefania Sousa. Earlier versions of many of the articles were presented at the XV World Congress of Comparative Education Societies in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2013, and this participation was made possible by funding from the Arcus Foundation. The authors deeply appreciate the time and energy of all contributors and, in particular, acknowledge the efforts of the nongovernmental organizations involved in developing the articles for this issue.

Guest Editors

Joseph G. Kosciw is the Chief Research and Strategy Officer at GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network). GLSEN is U.S.-based NGO whose mission is to ensure safe and affirming K-12 educational environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression. He is a community psychologist by training and has also been a school counselor and family therapist. He started GLSEN's research program in 2001 and now also oversees GLSEN's education and youth programs and its international program.

Oren Pizmony-Levy is an Assistant Professor of International and Comparative Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Trained as a sociologist, he is broadly interested in education, globalization, and transnational social movements. In one line of research he examined the experience of Israeli LGBT youth in schools and in the military. He is currently exploring the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serving LGBT youth and students worldwide, and public opinion toward the LGBT-related curriculum.