Protecting LGBT Youth: Working to End School Pushout

October 1, 2013

While efforts to address anti-LGBT bullying have been getting a lot of attention these last few years, more and more we're coming to understand that un-addressed bullying and harassment is just one of many ways that LGBT young people—and especially LGBT youth of color—are being systematically pushed out of the education system and into poverty, homelessness, or the criminal justice system. Equality Federation Institute is proud to be working with state equality groups to address the critical issue of school pushout.

What Is School Pushout?


School pushout refers to school policies, practices, and procedures that make it more likely for students to leave school instead of finish it. LGBTQ students, students of color, immigrant students, and students with disabilities are much more likely to be impacted by “zero tolerance” policies, harsh discipline, unsafe schools, and schools with lots of police but little money or resources. They are then more likely to end up in jail or juvenile detention.

On average, states spend $88,000 a year to incarcerate one youth, but only $10,000 to educate one.

Equality Federation Institute is partnering with GSA Network to help statewide LGBT advocacy groups and state GSA networks to better protect our youth from bullying and school pushout. Right now, we’re excited to be piloting that work in partnership with Fair Wisconsin, Georgia Equality, One Colorado, OutFront Minnesota, and their local partners.

Why It Matters


According to the Center for American Progress:

“LGBTQ and gender nonconforming youth are significantly over-represented in the juvenile justice system —approximately 300,000 LGBTQ youth are arrested and/or detained each year, of which more than 60% are black or Latino. Though LGBTQ youth represent just 5% to 7% of the nation’s overall youth population, they compose 13% to 15% of those currently in the juvenile justice system.”

School pushout is a problem for LGBTQ youth and particularly those of color. Students are often suspended or expelled simply for defending themselves or others from bullying. By punishing the bullied individual for protecting themselves, schools are pushing out students by failing to address the main problem: bullying of LGBTQ students. Now, these students are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system, unable to finish their education.

We need change.

Local communities need to work to build more support systems for students; schools need to spend money on counseling for students, not cops to police them. LGBTQ students are especially at risk of being “pushed out” of school and into jail, as schools fail to address ongoing bullying.

Learn more about this critical issue and hear directly from LGBT young people in this short video produced by our partners at GSA Network and the Dignity in Schools Campaign:

 

 

More You might like

Equality Federation Accountability and Commitment to Conference Accessibility

Equality Federation acknowledges and deeply apologizes for perpetuating the systemic harm and exclusion of disabled people at our 2025 Leadership Conference.

June 12, 2025
Equality Federation Adds Alexis Sanchez and Vincent Paolo Villano to Senior Leadership Team

We are pleased to announce the addition of two effective and experienced leaders to our senior leadership team!

June 12, 2025
National Coalition of HIV, LGBTQ+ and Health Advocates Applauds Court Decision Upholding Law that Ensures Access to PrEP and other Healthcare Preventive Services

In response to the Supreme Court decision on the Braidwood case today, June 27, a national coalition released the following statement from the Executive Directors of Lambda Legal, PrEP4All, the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, the Center for HIV Law and Policy, and Equality Federation.

June 12, 2025
A young man looking up, smilingA young man smiling straight at the camera
Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

Want To Make A Difference? Support Our Work

With your support, we'll be able to continue our work to build the leaders of today and tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ+ organizations, and make critical progress on the issues that matter most—like protecting transgender people, ending HIV criminalization and ensuring access to care, and banning conversion therapy across the country.