ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the dilemmas faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) students and teachers surrounding their sexuality within education. LGBT students are part of a wider school culture involving various groups and subgroups with differing identities, but in general LGBT students tend to have more negative attitudes toward school with many being invisible within school settings. Research suggests that a large majority of LGBT youth experience peer victimisation at school, which can include verbal, physical and relational forms of victimization. Students have higher rates of truancy, earn lower grades and have lower educational intentions. It is assumed that LGBT youth, after disclosing their sexual orientation, may receive positive and/or negative feedback that will in turn impact academic and school experiences. LGBT youth are faced with complex decisions regarding sexual identity disclosure across multiple contexts. Furthermore, bisexual youth examine how other sexual minorities are treated, and consider the prevalence of homophobic language when determining whether to come out.
