How many LGBTQ students attend Morton East?
February 7, 2020
It was clear from the start we weren’t going to get an exact number of students at Morton East High School who are a part of the LGBTQ community because of some students not being “open”, maybe telling only a few friends — or in some cases not even accepting that they are LGBTQ themselves.
According to quartz.com, it is estimated that roughly “1.3 million kids, roughly 8% of students in high school in America are reported to be LGBTQ+”.
According to a survey conducted in Illinois in 2015, out of every 100 youth in Illinois, only three identified as LGBT. Considering that, at Morton East (with 3,580 students) we can assume we have about 105 LGBTQ students.
MEGASA (Morton East Gay and Straight Alliance) adviser Ms. Kathy Lonergan said that “there are only several members who attend meeting an activities without their parents’ knowledge.”
Further investigating why most students who are in the MEGASA aren’t open to their parents, Ms. Lonergan said, “They would love to be able to be their authentic selves but cannot, due to fear of rejection form family members or because they have already been shamed by family.” This shows why we can’t get an exact number of students who are a part of the LGBTQ — fear of being shamed by others, family or friends.
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Briana Jimenez • Feb 14, 2020 at 1:21 pm
GENGE- Many students do not come out due to the risks of it. According to Human Rights Watch, only a couple states in the US have anti-bullying and Anti-discrimination against someone based on their sexual orientation and gender. Yet a couple of states have a LAW that PROHIBITS teachers to talk about the lgbt community. Coming out always runs the risk of much worse than getting shamed by your parents, but also getting kicked out, abused, or completely getting disowned by your family.
Carolina Tapia • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:47 am
“Genge” – In 2018, there was an estimated amount of 3.2 million youth (ages 8-18) that identified as the part of LGBTQ+ Community. However, not many of those people are out to family and friends. As mentioned here, some of them are even in denial, due to the harsh opinions of the LGBTQ+ Community that are still going around. Many of the population in Cicero are Hispanic. Sadly in many Hispanic households the LGBTQ+ Community is not accepted. As someone who is openly bisexual, and is out to only some of my family and most of my friends, I can agree that I haven’t come out to those in my family that aren’t my mom and sister, exclusively because my family members talk bad about those who are LGBTQ+. I don’t want them to blame it on my mom, I do get much support about my bisexuality both at school and at my house. However, there’s still some people that are just not open minded. They don’t understand us, which is sadly affecting us. But there are those who aren’t out at all, scared of their families and friends reactions. And then there’s those who are in denial mostly due to others shaming those who are open, they are scared, and deny it. At some point they will hopefully be ready to be themselves with no one and nothing stopping them. They shouldn’t be rushed, or outed. They can figure it out whenever they are ready. There’s so much time.
Chris Polendo • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:17 am
Genge- According to USA Today, young people are becoming less tolerant of LBGTQ members. In 2017, 29% of young people said they were uncomfortable knowing a family member was LGBTQ and in 2019 that percentage has gone up to 36%
chris polendo • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:17 am
According to USA Today, young people are becoming less tolerant of LBGTQ members. In 2017, 29% of young people said they were uncomfortable knowing a family member was LGBTQ and in 2019 that percentage has gone up to 36%