This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Thanks to the Cache County School District (CCSD) and at least one other Utah school district, the health of youth at risk in our entire state will most likely be seriously compromised. The decision of the CCSD to refuse to include a question about sexual orientation on a nationally recognized youth risk behavior survey, recommended to be included by the Utah Department of Health (Salt Lake Tribune, April 5), precludes a better understanding of LGBTQ students' and other young people's heightened risk for suicide, depression and other mental health challenges.
As a developmental psychologist, taxpayer, parent and grandparent, I have sought to understand the reason for CCSD's refusal. Your reporter did, too. Here's what I've discovered.
In light of a Logan Herald Journal article of April 6 ("Psychologist addresses CCSD"), I now understand the rationale for the CCSD Superintendent's opposition to including a question about sexual orientation on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Norton "hears from a group of parents that get upset at the questions (sic)."
Superintendent Norton, why don't you advise these parents to refuse permission for their own child(ren) to complete the survey so that the mental health of the rest of the state's youths is not jeopardized? And who are these parents? Are they acolytes of Gail Ruzicka and her fringe group, the Utah Eagle Forum? How many parents objected to the question (just the percentage, superintendent, no names please)? Is it possible some of these parents are unsure of (or ignorant of or in denial about) their own child's sexual orientation?
You are quoted as saying that you "couldn't figure out how a 'percentage figure that gave us no names' would better serve students." Did you not learn about the value of anonymous questionnaires during your academic training at BYU? Using your logic, why administer any of the questions? Have you conferred with your district's school psychologists about the value of risk behavior surveys? What about consulting with faculty in USU's stellar school psychology program?
Superintendent Norton, you are quoted that when student risk surveys are administered, you "get beat up by the questions that go out" Surely, a public employee pulling down a quarter of a million dollars in taxpayer-funded compensation (salary plus benefits) can stand some heat. As the saying goes, if you can't stand the heat…
I provided your board with a sampling of recent studies related to LGBTQ youths' heightened risk for nonsuicidal self-injury (seven times more likely than sexual majority young people, i.e. heterosexuals), suicidal ideation (five times more likely), suicide intent (nearly eight times more likely) and suicide attempts (seven times more likely).
Another study notes the importance of school "climate" toward LGBTQ issues as helpful in reducing risk noting that, "even modest efforts to shift the balance of heteronormative discourse on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students can have profound effects on the experiences and perceptions of (LGBTQ) students which we would argue would go a long way in reducing incidents of suicidality among LGBTQ youth."
The Cache County School District website lists your vision statement that includes the following: "We pledge to prioritize the students' well-being (and) support a culture where students … feel appreciated and respected" .
Your behavior related to this issue and the complicity of your board in refusing to allow the aforementioned question in a youth risk survey fail dismally to support your own vision. The effects of your myopia extend far beyond Cache Valley.
Frank R. Ascione, Ph.D., Logan, is an emeritus professor at Utah State University and a current scholar-in-residence in the Social Work Department the University of Denver.