Legislative Laws Forcing Outing in Public Schools: Attacks on LGBTQ Rights

Phillip Clingan

Abstract

The subject of this paper highlights the alarming direction taken by legislative laws in the US public schools forcing LGBTQ students to out their identities. Through reviewing the constitutional rights of these students despite such legislation, especially the freedom of expression and privacy that the students are guaranteed in the First Amendment, the paper easily underlines such infringements. These reforms also confront the major risks that the young LGBT population faces due to the laws being introduced. Based on recent trials and statistics, the goal of this work is to shine a light on the critical implications of such legislation on the social and educational lives of LGBTQ learners. In this evaluation, it forwards the policies that harmonize inclusivity, equality, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The coming out of the LGBTQ students in public school exposes them to risks that ensure their privacy is a major challenge, as well as the shouldering of different forms of discrimination. This is a hostile and damaging setting that wrecks the feelings of safety and belonging as a part of the mental health degradation that leads to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. At the same time, these laws jeopardize LGBTQ students’ educational progress by hampering them from reaching the desired educational level and developing their sense of social well-being. These challenges can be redressed only by bringing together policymakers, teachers, and advocates to do away with such laws and replace them with policies that grant rights and dignity to LGBTQ youth. A society that is handling stigma and discrimination this way will be more equal and supportive to all students enabling them to achieve and be what they are meant to be.

Keywords

LGBTQ rights in education; legislative infringements; inclusive education policies

Cite This Article

Clingan, P. (2024). Legislative Laws Forcing Outing in Public Schools: Attacks on LGBTQ Rights. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 5| Issue 2: Mar-Apr 2024, Pages 344-346, URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Volume5-Issue2-Mar-Apr-No.592-344-346.pdf

Volume 5 | Issue 2: Mar-Apr 2024