Brody's Notes... New Iowa Pride Network Survey: LGBT Students More Likely To Be Suicidal, Harassed

By Mark Singer (Washington DC) FEB 17 |  The Iowa Pride Network, a Des Moines based state-wide non-profit organization that works directly with students, helping empower them to start and enhance GSA’s in their high schools and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support, mentoring, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities, released its first ever College Climate Survey Wednesday.

According to the survey, which tracked comfort levels, harassment, and depression for students on Iowa's college campuses, results in the data showed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are 25% more likely to have suicidal thoughts while 44% have experienced some form of harassment while in school.

Key Findings:

Supportive Staff and Resources Create Safer Institutions

Colleges and universities that had staff that are viewed to be “supportive” or “very supportive”of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students had fewer students reporting verbal harassment, physical harassment, assault, and cyber-harassment. Students whose classes included LGBT culture, history or events were more likely to report feeling safe at their college.

Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policies & Knowing How to Report Matters

Based on the survey results it is clear many respondents to not know how to report discrimination. Of students who reported being harassed or assaulted, the majority (62.6%) never informed campus officials (resident assistants, professors, counselors, campus security). Students who attend a college or university feel safer if they know that their institution has an anti-harassment and non-discrimination policy; and even more safe if they know how to report harassment and discrimination. Additionally, policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity also make LGBT students feel safer.

“Conservative” Campuses Perceived to be Less Friendly, Safe

Students attending what they perceive to be “conservative” colleges are less likely to think their school administration is supportive of their college Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). And compared to students at “moderate” or “liberal” colleges, students attending what they perceive to be “conservative” colleges are more likely to feel their college/university staff persons are “unsupportive” or “very unsupportive” of LGBT students. Students are also less likely to know of any staff persons that are open about being LGBT, and the students, themselves, are less likely to be open about being LGBT. In this survey, four in ten LGBTQQ respondents reported not being “out” at all or only to some people.

Harassment Occurs Where You Eat, Sleep and Learn

Respondents reported that the most common locations of harassment were the common areas, such as student unions or dining halls; residence halls which serve as students’ homes on campus; and the classroom.

Verbal Harassment & Lack of Intervention is Common

According to respondents, 82% to 95% of students have heard racist, sexist, homophobic comments or negative comments about gender expression from students on campus. When these  comments are made, respondents say very few professors or students intervene. Specifically: 66.3% of professors and 84% of students only some of the time or never intervene when racist remarks are made; 73.9% of professors and 78.0% of students only some of the time or never intervene when sexist remarks are made; 52.0% of professors and 84% of students only some of the time or never intervene when homophobic remarks are made; and, 88.0% of professors and 90.0% of students only some of the time or never intervene when negative remarks about gender expression are made.

Unsafe Campus Climates Affect Both LGBTQQ & Straight Students

LGBTQQ students face more physical harassment, because of sexual orientation or gender expression, and more cyber-harassment than their straight peers. Lesbians and bisexual students are particularly uncomfortable talking to RAs and Advisors. Straight peers experience more harassment because of their gender than LGBTQQ students. Additionally, 44% of all respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment (inappropriate sexual remarks, touching) within the past year.

Feelings of Sadness, Depression & Suicide Common; LGBTQQ Students at Higher Risk

One in five students (21.0%) in the survey reported feeling sad or depressed most days or every day and 47.6% of all respondents said “yes” to the question, “have you ever had thoughts of suicide?” Of all respondents, one in ten (13.1%) students is thinking about suicide often or frequently. LGBTQQ students were 25% more likely to consider suicide than their straight peers.

Visible Support of LGBT Students is Lacking

Only 6.0% of students reported that their college had a program for LGBT Alumni and only 12.0% reported that their college included LGBT people in their advertising and materials. Supportive State Laws Affect Students Decisions about Residency & College Climate LGBTQQ students are twice as likely to stay in Iowa now that gay and lesbian couples have a right to marry. Most (83.0%) saw no change in student behavior on campus because of the marriage ruling, while 7.0% saw students become less LGBT friendly and 10.0% saw students on campus become more LGBT friendly.

Ryan Roemerman cofounded the Iowa Pride Network as a junior at the University of Iowa in 2003.

“It all starts with verbal harassment, then leads to physical harassment, and then it turns into physical assault,” said Roemerman, now executive director of the organization.

He said it’s shocking when no one intervenes after hearing negative comments. He said people expect things to get better in college, not worse.

The entire College Climate Survey (pdf) is available here: [ Link ]