In-Depth source

During my research of in-depth sources I found some helpful information about how the school systems have contributed to the bullying of LGBT youth. Overall I found that the environment that is set up by the institutions are often homophobic and support homophobic actions and thought. In one article I read it spoke about the difference between gender and sex of a person. Sex refers to the biological classification of someone as either male or female, while gender refers to the distinction of the two based on the stereotypical behaviors of each sex. The school systems and society in general do not support children and their identity development of gender. From the time that a child is in the womb and the sex is found out, the parents prepare for a child of that "gender." Society is determining how a child should act, dress, and be, before the child has a chance to become them self. The children who do not display this gender/sex accurate behavior are often teased in school causing a negative association with their actions. Children are often exposed to the idea that it is bad for a boy to act like a girl or the other way around. They are also exposed to the idea that being gay is bad by others saying things like "that is so gay." When people use phrases like this they are replacing the word stupid or synonyms for it with gay. This is making a link between homosexuality and stupidity in children's minds making them feel as if it is not acceptable to be gay. The article suggested ways of making schools a more gender numeral / supportive environment which focused mainly on physical education.