The Center for American Progress (CAP) has released a new analysis indicating that the implementation of LGBTQI+-affirming policies in schools correlates strongly with decreased reports of bullying among all students. The analysis contrasts these findings with the policies promoted by Project 2025 and the far right, which CAP argues would harm LGBTQI+ students and likely increase overall risks of school bullying.
Key findings from CAP’s analysis highlight several policies that decrease bullying risks. These include respecting the use of they/them pronouns, incorporating LGBTQI+ topics into curricula, and providing online resources for LGBTQI+ students. According to the analysis, if all schools in any given state adopted these policies, the number of bullying reports could decrease by as much as 12.2 percent across all students—not just those who identify as LGBTQI+.
Conversely, if Project 2025 were to ban these affirming policies, an average of 20.1 percent of students in any given state would report having been bullied on school property over the course of a year.
“Every student—regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity—deserves a high-quality education in a safe learning environment,” said Cait Smith, director of LGBTQI+ Policy at CAP and author of the column. “Project 2025’s policy proposals would lead to the opposite, further jeopardizing the safety of students who are already marginalized. When LGBTQI+-affirming school policies are restricted or even banned, all students are harmed.”
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].
