Understanding LGBQ Youth’s Experiences with Weapon Carrying

• In Event: Correlates of LGBTQ Populations’ Offending and Victimization

Abstract

School violence is a major concern among policy makers, education workers, and researchers; however it is unclear how to best address many of these pressing issues. Overall sociological studies consistently show that young men are more likely to bring weapons to school when compared to young women. Other factors that relate to youth weapon carrying in schools include experiences with victimization and fear of safety, as well as involvement in violence and delinquency. Such findings suggest that there are a multitude of experiences that lead students to bring weapons to school; however, none of these studies to date have adequately examined lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth’s experiences with weapon carrying. Because LGBQ youth are at a higher risk for experiences with school victimization, we feel it is especially important to investigate LGBQ youth’s experiences with weapon carrying. In this study, we utilize data from a statewide probability sample of Delaware LGBQ youth (n=484) in grades 9-12 collected in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Specifically, we examine the factors that influence LGBQ youth’s weapon carrying in schools. In addition, we critically investigate the intersections of male/female and LGBQ identities to best understand these relationships.

Authors

• Deeanna M. Button, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

• Meredith G.F. Worthen, University of Oklahoma