The article “Access and Equity for all Students: Students with Disabilities and LGBT Students” explores the relevance of both issues and in our contemporary society. In March of 2008, the California State commissioners stressed the importance of equal opportunity for all students. They raised concern that the needs of students with disabilities and LGBT were not being met in the proper manner or has it been sufficiently addressed. These groups of students make up a good percentage of our student population through out our society and have little or no representation regarding research. Rather, the majority of more has gone into non-white and socioeconomic disadvantage students. In a time period of tight economic constraints it is hard to get the funding for research, but it is necessary for it to be done according to the California Post Secondary Education System.

Many LGBT students report being harassed on campus or victims of actual physical assault. These students also feel hesitant disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity do to the implications it could lead to in their life. The main concern among this group of students is suicide. Suicide is more prevalent among LGBT students than any other student population. According to the article one survey found that gay and bi-sexual men had a three fold increase in suicide risk as compared to the general population and another surveyed conveyed that one third of Transgender students attempted suicide. These findings are a sobering reminder to all professionals to make sure that the needs of all groups of students are dealt with in a proper manner. Other implications for LGBT students are abundant and school personnel must be fully aware of the multitude of issues that these students face. LGBT advocates point out the need for culturally competent services on campuses. These services need to be conducted in a way with which directly addresses the needs of these students.

Research LGBT is basically non-existent and that creates many constraints for advocating for this student population. The lack of research is a direct result of the societal constraints that come along with being in the LGBT category. The societal climate affects students from being open about their sexual orientation, thus, limiting the amount of formal research do to the pressured silence of this group. K-12 system lacks agencies and student groups to help assist students. Agencies such as school wide “Gay-Straight Alliances” and “Project-10” are implemented to help students in the LGBT population and prepare them for postsecondary education life on campus.

Implications for counselors:

The impact of the societal influence on this particular group adds to the constraints that the LGBT student population faces on a daily basis. Society states the “norm” and if this norm is challenged or somebody goes against the grain- you are perceived to be different and that leads to a negative label placed on you by society. Fair by no means and unjustifiable in every aspect imaginable; it is the world we live in. As counselors we must always be aware of the multitude of issues that each particular student will be dealing with. As long as we are aware these issues can be dealt with and advocated for.