Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation of students has been receiving more and more attention in the media as schools grow more aware of their students need for advocacy. Although awareness and support has been heightened now more than ever, it is still not enough. According to a recent Human Rights Campaign survey, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) students report being harassed at school, both verbally and physically, at twice the rate of non-LGBTQ youth. With heightened stressors like bullying, harassment and a lack of role models, LGBTQ students are also more likely to experience negative educational outcomes. As educators and parents, we need to create a safe learning environment for ALL of our students, regardless of sexual orientation. Furthermore, it is our job to help students who identify as LGBTQ define their sexual orientation and to help them grow as a person in an accepting community.
Helpful Strategies
1. Join/build an inclusive school climate. (Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs GSAs)
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2. Establish strict guidelines in the protection of LGBTQ students in schools. (anti-bullying policies)
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3. Training: schools must seek training in being able to support LGBTQ students. Too often the lack of experience leads to ignorance, which solves nothing.
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4. Ensure that your LGBTQ students see themselves reflected in your lessons.
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Classroom Activity
Lead the class in a guided imagery activity where the student is placed into a scenario where everyone in the world is LGBTQ and only a small percentage of the population is heterosexual. After reading the descriptive prompt linked below, have the students conduct a think pair share to discuss their feelings about the scenario. Explain that while the situation is, of course, fictional, it mirrors the real world faced by many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning people. Say that, because they are often understandably afraid to 'come out' (reveal their sexual orientation) to others, gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens are forced to keep many parts of their lives secret.
Lesson borrowed from Advocates For Youth.
Lesson borrowed from Advocates For Youth.
Reading Material
Local Resources
1. "Valley Gay Press"
Red Star Saloon -- 11 S. 10th St, Reading (Berks County) |
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County
303 Windsor Street Centre Park Reading, PA 19601 (610) 373-5544 |
3. GLBTQ Resource Center (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania)
Old Main, Room 4 P.O. Box 730 Kutztown, PA 19530 Phone: (484) 646- 4111 |