DC Public Schools has posted a fact sheet on the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning (GBLQ) DC Public School Students.

The fact sheet is based on data from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a biennial survey conducted by DC Public Schools in partnership with the CDC. 2007 marks the first time that the District of Columbia asked students if they identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning. DCPS did not ask about transgender students, or ask questions about gender identity or expression.

The data reveals serious and widespread disparities in health and wellness experienced by GLBQ youth in DC Public Schools, and a climate that is often hostile to GLBQ students.

30% of gay, lesbian, and bisexual high school students said they were bullied at least once on school property in the past year. More than a quarter of GLB high school students said they had skipped school once or more in the past month because they felt unsafe in school or on the way to school.

In a climate that is not supportive of GLB students, it is not suprising that GLB high school students in DC Public Schools are also at greater risk for substance use, depression, and suicide. Among the findings: · 23.5% of GLB students have used crystal meth, putting GLB students at 10 times greater risk for crystal meth use than other students · 31.1% of GLB youths say they hade "made a plan about how they would attempt suicide", a number three times greater than that of other students