05/16/2026
Schools must be, at the bare minimum, safe for students. If marginalized students are experiencing harassment or assault, that school must address the issue head-on.
In our recent National School Climate Survey, 43% of students who reported being harassed or assaulted said staff took no action. We use these results from our National School Climate Surveys to make recommendations on how to improve school climate for LGBTQ+ students.
School policies must clearly prohibit teachers and staff from perpetuating a hostile climate for LGBTQ+ students, and exercise zero tolerance for bigoted language or actions from other staff or students.
Schools should regularly train teachers and school staff about supporting LGBTQ+ students. These sessions should correct misinformation about LGBTQ+ identities, build understanding of intersex and trans student experiences, and confront racism and ableism experienced by students of color and students with disabilities.
Learn more about the results of the 2025 NSCS and our full list of recommendations at glisten.org/nscs2025
If you’re looking for ways to help us continue our work to make schools safer and more affirming for LGBTQ+ students, consider sharing or taking our latest NSCS. We are looking for LGBTQIA2S students 13+ years old, who attended school in the United States in 2023-2025 to participate. This study helps our crucial work to make recommendations to schools, politicians, researchers, and more on how to improve schools for LGBTQ+ students across the country. Visit glisten.org/nscs27 to learn more and take the survey.