Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Open Access Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Biology

Advisor

Kristin Murphy

Director

Rajini Srikanth

Subject Categories

Education | Gender and Sexuality | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | Secondary Education

Abstract

While the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community has overcome great obstacles in its fight for equality, the newest challenge has become the poor mental health of the LGBT youth. In this study, the experiences of a recently graduated LGBT Boston Public Schools student were investigated through qualitative research methods. Interviews with the student were analyzed to determine what factors contributed to his overall positive experiences and mental health as a bisexual student attending Boston Public Schools. The showing of support from his mother and peers, along with the presence of a Gay-Straight Alliance club at his school positively affected the participant’s mental health. Difficulties with coming out to his father as well as a school curriculum that did not include LGBT topics negatively affected the participant’s mental health. Findings from this study suggest that school curriculum frameworks should be updated to include LGBT units to provide all students, heterosexual and otherwise, with an education that develops healthy physical, mental, and emotional habits.

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