Advocating for Sexual Minority Students: Implications for Professional School Counselors

Sexual minority students (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning) face unique challenges in the school setting. They face homophobia, discrimination, bullying, and hurdles in identity formation. These struggles can lead to increased risk factors and negative academic and personal outcomes for sexual minority students. A professional school counselor bears responsibility in addressing the challenges these students face, and should be proactive in implementing interventions and school curriculum to build support for this population. This author examines school climates and school experiences for sexual minority students, and the implications for school counselors from both an intervention implementation perspective and from an Adlerian perspective.