2009 SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY RELEASED

First Study Since Safe Schools Law; 
IPN Calls for Meaningful Implementation

Des Moines, IA – November 11 – Iowa Pride Network announced findings from its 2009 Iowa School Climate Survey (ISCS) today at the Iowa State Capitol. The 2009 survey is the first since the legislature passed the 2007 Safe Schools Law. The law requires schools to have anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies that protect all students including those that are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

“The 2009 ISCS reveals that LGBT bullying and harassment remain commonplace,” said Iowa Pride Network Co-Founder and Executive Director, Ryan Roemerman; “But it also makes clear that the law works when it is meaningfully implemented.”

Key findings from the 2009 Iowa Pride Network School Climate Survey show:

Many students do not know about Iowa’s Safe Schools Law regarding Bullying and Harassment:

54.2% of respondents reported that they do not know what the Iowa Safe Schools law is
71.9% reported that their school has not adopted the law
89.2% reported that the law is not posted at their school

Iowa’s LGBT students continue to feel unsafe in school and face verbal and physical harassment or assault daily and are more likely to consider suicide:

87.5% (91% in 07) of LGBT students in Iowa reported hearing homophobic remarks frequently in their schools.
78.4% (80% in 07) of LGBT students report being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation.
37.5% (36% in 07) of Iowa LGBT students reported some incident of physical harassment (being pushed or shoved) because of their sexual orientation
20.5% (16% in 07) of students reported some incident of physical assault (being punched, kicked or injured with a weapon) because of their sexual orientation or gender expression.
56% of LGBT students are more likely than their straight peers to report that they had considered committing suicide

Three high school students,who attended the press conference, detailed their experiences as a LGBT or straight allied individual in Iowa schools. Stephen Wayne Boatwright, a senior at Hoover High School spoke of how he is fearful to walk down the halls after having glue smeared all over his locker. He is allergic to adhesives. Jozie Butler, a freshman at Southeast Polk High School, explained how she has been called names because of having gay friends. Evan Hay, a senior at Southeast Polk High School described how she is no longer allowed to attend her favorite class because a teacher is uncomfortable with her sexual orientation.

Despite their hardships, the students expressed their commitment to help educate others about how they can change their school’s climates.

“While I have been harassed, I know I have friends that support me. I also know that not all students have the support that I do. That is why I am here today, to let students know that they aren’t alone—and that there is a law that protects them,” stated Boatwright.

The study did find some areas of progress: Fewer students report being verbally harassed and more teachers and students are intervening when homophobic remarks are made in their presence. Most notably it found that in schools where the law was known by the student to have been adopted, students were 40% less likely to report hearing homophobic remarks used frequently or often in their schools.

“Bullying and harassment often starts with verbal harassment and often ends in physical violence. This law, if implemented can stop bullying and harassment before it starts,” explained Roemerman.

Iowa Pride Network is calling on schools to adopt programs that are recommended within the law, such as having student organizations that reduce harassment and trainings for teachers and students regarding the law. To educate students, Iowa Pride Network has created a “Make it Real” manual that will help students understand how to make the law real in their schools. The manual details how schools must follow the law and stop harassment and how students should report harassment when it happens.

“Our hope is that the manual will assist schools’ efforts in educating their students on the law.” Adding that, “Every one of us, students, schools, communities—must do all we can to create safe schools. We have the tools. We must have the resolve.”

View the 2009 Iowa School Climate Survey


View the “Make it Real” Manual 

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The 2009 Iowa Pride Network School Climate Survey included responses from 203 LGBT, allied and non-allied high school students from 69 schools across the state. This biennial statewide survey is the only survey that measures the levels of racism, homophobia and sexism in Iowa schools. This is the third survey Iowa Pride Network has released since 2005. Key findings, the complete survey and additional information about methodology and demographics may be obtained by calling the Iowa Pride Network at 515-243-1110 or by visiting www.iowapridenetwork.org.

About Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Pride Network works directly with LGBTA youth to cultivate advocates and leaders who fight homophobia and transphobia and strive for social justice.

IPN to Release 2009 School Climate Survey

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director, Iowa Pride Network
515-243-1110

First Study Since Passage of the 2007 Iowa Safe Schools Law
__________________________________________________________

WHAT:
Iowa Pride Network will announce findings from the 2009 Iowa School Climate Survey (ISCS) on Wednesday, Nov. 11. This biennial survey is the only survey that measures the levels of racism, homophobia and sexism in Iowa schools. The 2009 survey is the first since the legislature passed the 2007 Iowa Safe Schools Law. The law requires schools to have anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies that protect all students including those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.

The survey details how the majority of Iowa's LGBT students continue to feel unsafe in their schools and face verbal and physical harassment or assault daily. The survey also reveals positive signs of improvement in key areas, such as an increase in teachers intervening in bullying situations. New data surrounding students' thoughts on suicide will also be provided. Iowa Pride Network will share its recommendations on how to support schools to ensure they meet and exceed the standards set by the Iowa Safe Schools Law. Students from various high schools will also be in attendance to share personal experiences.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Iowa State Capitol, Room 116
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

CONTACT:
Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director
515-243-1110 (office) 515-371-8355 (mobile)

BACKGROUND:
The ISCS is the only biennial state-wide survey to document the safety of LGBT students in Iowa's schools. This is the third survey Iowa Pride Network has released since 2005.

About Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Pride Network empowers students to fight homophobia and transphobia in high schools and colleges by supporting gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs and providing leadership opportunities and organizing projects centered on social justice. For more information call Iowa Pride Network at 515-243-1110 or by visiting Iowa Pride Network.

GSA REGISTRATION DRIVE 2009 UPDATE:

Iowa Pride Network GSA Registration Drive Update: As of Friday, September 25: We have called 413 schools. Out of that, we have actually talked to 168 of them to assess their school safety and whether or not they have a GSA/Diversity Club! Thank you volunteers!!! Just three more days left: Sept. 28, 29 and 30th.

IPN Fall Benefit set for Oct. 25th in Iowa City

School Protects Gay Student After Suit

No one should ever have to experience such harassment and it shouldn't take a lawsuit for schools to react.  If you, or someone you know is experiencing something like this, notify Iowa Pride Network.  Schools should be safe for everyone.

School Protects Gay Student After Suit  | News | Advocate.com

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New "Thinking Queerly" Curriculum Debuts

To enhance and support local GSAs, Iowa Pride Network’s Regional Gay Straight Alliance Coalitions will begin meeting monthly starting in September. The coalitions reduce isolation that many LGBT students experience, educates students about LGBT history, people and events with our “Thinking Queerly” curriculum (only 16% of LGBT youth ever hear about this information in Iowa schools) and provides a refuge for students in schools who may not have a GSA.

The six coalitions are located in Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Mason City, Sioux City and Council Bluffs. Hundreds of students will utilize the coalitions this year!

The innovative “Thinking Queerly” curriculum used in the coalition meetings is now in its second edition and will be taught by IPN’s trained Leadership Team and Youth Council members. We know that students who are taught the curriculum increase their knowledge by an average of 30%. Last year, LGBT Youth and Mental Health; Future Leaders and Out Professionals; and understanding Power, Privilege and Oppression were rated the highest for knowledge increases.

An exciting development this year is the development of an online request form where individual GSAs can request specific monthly topics and supporting materials from our curriculum as a way to expand this resource at a local level.

This means that by completing a simple request form following a GSA Coalition meeting, GSA leaders can receive an emailed PDF version of that month’s curriculum that they can present partially or entirely to their Gay-Straight Alliance.

This is intended to provide GSAs with an active and accurate meeting agenda to bolster existing programming within the Gay-Straight Alliance. We strongly encourage GSA leaders to create additional and specialized programming to satisfy the unique needs of their school.

If you would like more information about our events, coalitions meetings, or want to start a GSA, please contact Rachel Johnson, Outreach Coordinator at: Rachel@iowapridenetwork.org or by calling: 515-243-1110.

GSA Registration Drive set for Sept. 21-30

Iowa Pride Network is kicking off the year with our Annual Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Registration Drive September 21-30! Volunteers will help call all of Iowa’s 400+ schools and 30+ colleges. Last year’s efforts yielded ten newly discovered GSAs and over a dozen additional schools that wanted to start one! GSAs—an alliance of LGBT and straight students working to end homophobia and transphobia—are the core of our work as they reduce physical violence towards LGBT students in schools.

Today, 1 out of 3 LGBT students in Iowa are physically harassed and assaulted and will skip at least two weeks of school this year because they are simply too afraid to go. Luckily, LGBT students who have a GSA in their school are 23% less likely to be physically assaulted and are much more likely to attend school.

The GSA Registration Drive helps IPN focus its efforts on schools who request support starting a GSA and providing resources to schools who want to create safe learning environments for all students. For information on how you can be involved with this important work contact the Iowa Pride Network office at 515-243-1110.