Image via Passport.

New York City middle and high schools are hostile places for many LGBT students, according to a new research brief released today by GLSEN. School Climate in New York City shows that city students face physical and verbal assaults because of their sexual orientation or gender expression and regularly hear anti-gay slurs from students and staff. The findings are based on the New York City students who participated in GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey. The survey also found that while most could identify at least one supportive educator, very few had access to any LGBT-inclusive resources or curriculum at school.

“LGBT students face disturbing levels of victimization in New York City. We hope this new research will be a wake-up call to New York City leaders that more needs to be done to ensure that LGBT students are safe and have an equal opportunity to learn,” said Dr. Joseph Kosciw, GLSEN Senior Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives. “Students are clearly saying educators and policymakers are not doing enough to stop anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.”

More detailed findings after the jump…

Research highlights from School Climate in New York City:

85% of LGBT students regularly heard homophobic remarks (eg., “fag” or “dyke”);
24% of LGBT students were physically harassed (e.g., pushed or shoved) because of their sexual orientation;
10% of LGBT students were physically assaulted (e.g., punched, kicked or injured with a weapon) because of their sexual orientation.