UB's Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence discussed how to combat the bullying of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered (LBGT) youth in a Thursday seminar.
Amy Reynolds – an associate professor in the department of counseling, school and education psychology in UB's Graduate School of Education – led the first of what will be a series of colloquiums hosted by the anti-bullying center.
The seminar in 120 Clemens Hall offered a research-based perspective of the anti-gay sentiments among youth, focusing on the middle school and high school environment. UB faculty, educators, graduate students, and community members were in attendance.
"Life was just so much simpler when all [bullies] did was ask for your lunch money," Reynolds said in her lecture.
Bullying has evolved, according to Reynolds, who described it as "more underground" – the Internet being the main example. Reynolds stressed the importance of educators taking a proactive role and being aware on multiple levels.
Reynolds showed research indicating that the majority of bullied LBGT teens believe that little or no action in school will be taken toward those bullying them.
The LBGT community is particularly vulnerable to bullying, according to Amanda B. Nickerson, associate professor and director of the Alberti Center. That's why the center chose to use it as the starting point for its colloquium series.
"Living with bullying is a daily reality," Reynolds said in her lecture. "Living with the fear of bullying is a daily reality. Sometimes, these kids are targeted not because they're out…but because they're different, and they don't feel safe."
The sense of insecurity and victimization experienced by gay and lesbian teens leads them to be more likely to commit suicide, according to Reynolds. This is something Western New Yorkers are familiar with because of the suicide of Williamsville freshman Jamey Rodemeyer last September.
Reynolds herself was involved in a workshop with the Williamsville school district following the teen's suicide. She worked with school's counselors, principals, and teachers to try to ensure a similar tragedy doesn't occur again.
Reynolds cited research that states 30 percent of all youth suicides are connected to gay and lesbian youth. The research also showed that LGBT teens are two to six times more likely to commit suicide.
The academic success of these students is in jeopardy as well, as they are three times more likely to miss school if victimized, Reynolds said.
Reynolds encourages schools to stop taking the "null approach" when tackling gay-targeted bullying issues.
"If [schools] stay neutral, [LBGT youth] are getting all these messages that is not okay, and no message that is okay." Reynolds said. "They're going to internalize all the negative messages."
Reynolds said bullied students should be affirmed by the creation of a safe environment. She highlighted the importance of schools having Gay-Straight Alliances, in order to provide students with necessary support from fellow students and faculty.
To Reynolds, the most unexpected and important outcomes of the colloquium were the connections fostered between herself and others working to combat bullying.
UB's Graduate School for Education has already taken some steps in educating future teachers on how to handle LBGT issues.
Heather McEntarfer, a doctoral student in the learning and instruction department for education, taught a class last semester about LBGT issues in education.
She appreciated the conversations that occurred and will use what she learned in the seminar to supplement the classes she may teach in the future.
"I want to go forward teaching more classes." McEntarfer said. "[I want to teach] classes to future teachers about how to address issues of sexuality, and also just diversity in general."
While the seminar's focus was on middle and high school environments, bullying isn't something that stops once students receive their high school diplomas.
"[Bullying] is very relevant to higher education," Reynolds told The Spectrum. "And I think we assume that in higher education, there is no bullying…In fact, it takes a different form."
Reynolds cited an example of this "different form" by mentioning the recent reports of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship forcing a gay student to resign from his post as treasurer of the club.
Reynolds acknowledges that students may mature, and to some extent bullying may subside, but it will always exist as long as people have the need to feel more powerful, she said.
The Alberti Center's next colloquium will take place April 19; Jamie Ostrov will speak about aggression and peer victimization. Future colloquiums are planned for September and November of next fall. There are also plans for a conference this September about cyberbullying.
Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
