Addressing the issue in schools

After reading Pascoe's book "Dude you're a Fag" I was saddened but yet not surprised by the bullying and sexualization that takes place in high schools. Much of what was analyzed in the book was typical things said and done in my own high school. Yet I hadn't ever realized how problematic these issues were until reading her book. 

Since I am someday potentially going to be working in the school system as a speech pathologist these issues of bullying, masculinity, and sexualization are things I will be seeing on a regular bases. That being said, I think there can be several things teachers and administration can be doing to help make schools safer and more accepting of LGBT students. The first thing I think should be done is to  Educate students, parents and staff about taking bullying seriously and how to recognize it. Most teachers in Pascoe's book did nothing to help the students being bullied or failed to recognize bullying was even taking place. All teachers need to be on the same page and be completely serious about stopping bullying. Secondly, the school needs to identify and monitor the places where bulling takes place the most. And lastly, there needs to be more opportunities and ways for students to share their feelings, problems or ideas. Creating a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in the school is another helpful idea, this will allow students who identify as LGBT to feel as though they are not alone and that there are others who are in similar shoes as them.