Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is on the rise today, especially among the American schooling youths who identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community. This has brought about the need for support programs that may enhance a hospitable environment that will ensure coexistence. The aim of this essay is to undertake a critical analysis of an article titled “Like Walking Through a Hailstorm,” a bedroom journal compiled by a first-hand experience American LGBT youth. From the narrator’s account, it is evident that the society is expected to tackle the rampant bullying that is directed to these individuals.
The institutions of learning are required to be very cautious because they come second to home in human development. Considering the probability that the students hail from diverse sexual orientations, schools should ensure that the academic pursuit of such vulnerable individuals are not suppressed by mistreatment that may not only threaten their intellectual wellbeing , but also psychological and physical. Human rights activists, poking holes in these policies, have pointed out at the violations of various rights among them the right to education, security, freedom from discrimination, access to information, freedom of expression, association and privacy. The victims have come under pressure even when they raise the bullying concerns. This may include the teachers who reproach the complainant for being more open about their identities while others taunt children whose parents identify with LGBT (Greer, 2016). Although the victims will at times get bullied right from their homes, the extension of the treatment in schools will worsen the situation and leave these youths with nowhere to turn to. Study has revealed that it is only in twenty states that there are enacted laws that prohibit bullying of students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Eight states, on the other hand, take it that LGBT issues should not be brought up in schools (Greer, 2016). The latter is a hypocritical approach because the outcry from those affected is appalling. Fortunately, many states have laws to protect LGBT people in the job sector. The findings highlight that discrimination on the basis of sexual and gender orientation will largely affect the schooling youths. Since the schools are such a crucial bridge in the society, they are expected to ensure that the society receives the graduates in their best development.
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Ignorant staff at the learning institutions, especially teachers, is also a factor to consider when considering hampering LGBT bullying at school. The people in this community are sensitive when they are referred with the wrong pronouns. Worse still, the teachers will sometimes give the victims’ classmates the cue to extend the ridicules to bruising levels (Greer, 2016). It is for that reason that the state lawmakers are expected to come up with comprehensive laws that address the LGBT issues in education, employment, and social circles (Polis, n.d.). It is also important that the departments of education in each state should train their staff on LGBT issues. These teachers should understand that the bully will at times be outside the school environs as in the case of cyber bullying. Middle and high school students are the most vulnerable and there is a need to care for them to enhance their academic development.
In conclusion, the society is expected to understand that individuals should not be discriminated simple because they are LGBT. The academic circle, especially, should ensure that the developing youths are accommodated as useful members of the society who will better the world after their studies. The staff serving in these institutions, in this light, has to be imparted with skills on how to moderate the environment so that it does not affect the learning process of LGBT people. States are also expected to enact laws that protect people from any form of discrimination that is founded on sexual orientation or gender identity.
References
Greer, J. (2016). Like walking through a hailstorm: Discrimination against LGBT youth in the US schools. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/12/07/walking-through-hailstorm/discrimination-against-lgbt-youth-us-schools
Polis, J. (n.d.). LGBT equality and civil rights. Retrieved from https://polis.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=5032
