Pride, Persistence, and Possibility: Addressing Educational Exclusion and Dropout Rates Among LGBTQ+ Students

Pride, Persistence, and Possibility: Addressing Educational Exclusion and Dropout Rates Among LGBTQ+ Students

Celebrating Pride and Shining a Light on Educational Exclusion

June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, visibility, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. But for many LGBTQ+ students, the journey through the education system is far from affirming. Instead, it’s marked by rejection, invisibility, and marginalization. At The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, we’re committed to disrupting these cycles by building trauma-informed, inclusive learning pathways that honor every student’s identity.

The Hidden Crisis—LGBTQ+ Dropout Rates and Educational Pushout

The statistics are staggering. LGBTQ+ students are significantly more likely to experience bullying, harassment, and exclusionary discipline compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. According to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, over 59% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school due to their sexual orientation, and 42% because of their gender expression. These hostile environments often lead to academic disengagement, school avoidance, and, ultimately, dropping out.

LGBTQ+ youth—especially Black and Brown queer students—are disproportionately impacted by:

• Zero-tolerance discipline policies
• Lack of affirming curriculum and educators
• Unaddressed mental health needs
• Homelessness and family rejection

When Schools Push Out, We Pull In—Creating Alternative Pathways

At The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, we believe that education should be a safe space for self-discovery, not a site of trauma. That’s why we designed the Tiers Free Academy Homeschool Cooperative and Thrive with Pride—programs that provide LGBTQ+ youth with access to trauma-informed, flexible, and affirming academic support.

Our programs:

✅ Honor chosen names and pronouns
✅ Create safe spaces for gender identity exploration
✅ Offer one-on-one mentorship and academic planning
✅ Include job training through initiatives like Barista Source Academy
✅ Support mental health, housing insecurity, and life readiness

Why This Work Matters—Because Every Student Deserves a Diploma

Educational equity cannot exist without LGBTQ+ inclusion. When LGBTQ+ students drop out, it’s rarely a matter of academic ability—it’s a response to trauma. Our trauma-informed approach flips the script by focusing on restoration, not reaction.

Since 2015, over 1,000 students have earned their diplomas through our programs—including many LGBTQ+ youth who were told they’d never graduate. Their success is a reminder: when we create spaces where students are safe to be seen, they thrive.

From Margins to Movement—Join Us This Pride Month

As we celebrate Pride, we recommit to being a lifeline for LGBTQ+ students navigating exclusion and adversity. The fight for equality starts in our classrooms, in our policies, and in our willingness to build a system that doesn’t just tolerate LGBTQ+ youth—but uplifts them.

This month, consider supporting our mission:

✅Volunteer or donate at drannisemabry.com

✅Share our story on social media

✅Refer an LGBTQ+ student who needs a second chance at success

Together, we’re not just handing out diplomas—we’re restoring dignity, purpose, and pride.

The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation is dedicated to improving our community by enhancing education opportunities, promoting synchrony between law enforcement and constituents, and encouraging community engagement. Our programs and initiatives include the Southwest GA Community Policing Resource Center and the Tiers Free Academy, a homeschool cooperative for students in grades 9-12 that provides an alternative diploma program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, human trafficking survivors, youth aging out of foster care, youth aging out of the public school system, youth previously under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and high school dropouts. To learn more about our offerings or support our work, consider subscribing to our newsletter or donating today!