LGBT Youth in America's Schools

Cianciotto and Cahill shine a spotlight on issues impacting the emotional and physical well-being of students often marginalized and misunderstood. Their intent is "to support the common goal that schools should be safe and affirming institutions of learning for all students, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity." To this end, the authors successfully combine stories about real individuals with research. Divided into three focus areas, and documented with copious notes, an extensive bibliography, and related case-law citations, the book is a must-read guide to the challenges facing LGBT youth and their schools. Section one examines past and current research and notes the difficulties in studying a population that is growing younger, is ethnically and racially diverse, and is often hidden. The extent and consequences of violence directed at LGBT youth in schools, occurring as early as the elementary grades, are also addressed. Section two reviews federal, state, and local laws and outlines positive school-based practices, such as teacher training, gay-straight alliances, and safe-school programs that explicitly protect LGBT students. The third section is a call to action for additional research with an overview of methodology and recommendations for areas of investigation. Timely, comprehensive, and highly readable, this study warrants inclusion in any library serving school administrators, teachers, and other adults who work with and care for children and teens.—Alicia Eames, formerly at New York City Public Schools