School safety experiences of high school youth across sexual orientation and gender identity

Abstract

School safety is considered a public health crisis with severe consequences on students' physical and emotional wellbeing. Although previous research highlights the disparities regarding safety in schools for LGBQ and transgender students, few studies examine the nuances between sexual orientation and gender identity. This study (N = 11,986) uses the 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Study to examine differential experiences of school safety when looking at the various intersections of gender identity and sexual orientation. Logistic regression results indicate that school safety feeling safe at school), bullying, and skipping school due to feeling unsafe are shared experiences, especially among LGBQ and transgender youth, and that these experiences are differentially based on the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity.