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Contributions of the Queer Community
Contributions of the Queer Community
October is LGBTQ History Month and an opportunity for teachers, school staff and faculty--as well as parents and caregivers--to find ways to teach students and communities about the important contributions of the queer community and the struggle for equity and justice. You’ll find more than 60 resources in Share My Lesson’s curated collection on LGBTQ history, which includes grade-appropriate content for preK-12.
In particular, I wanted to be sure you saw these five resources, excerpted from this expanded blog post:
Let’s Get It Right: Using Correct Pronouns and Names, ADL
Help students understand the evolution and importance of pronoun and name use and how misnaming can feel disrespectful to all, especially transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary people. Educators will also find practical suggestions to learn and use students’ correct pronouns and names.
Learn about the true story of an 11-year-old Hawaiian girl who dreams of leading the hula troupe at her inner-city Honolulu school. This award-winning short film, together with the classroom discussion guide and online resources, provides an opportunity for students to think and talk about the values of diversity and inclusion, the power of knowing your heritage, and how to create a school climate of "Aloha."
Bayard Rustin: Gay Hero of the Civil Rights Movement, The Legacy Project
This lesson plan explores the life and work of Bayard Rustin, the unsung and openly gay hero of the Black civil rights movement. As both a student of Gandhi and a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., Rustin's life embodied what would come to be known as “rainbow politics.” With his career in social justice spanning more than five decades, Rustin’s impact reached its zenith when he was tapped to become the architect of the National March on Washington in 1963.
Stonewall Outloud: Personal Accounts of the Riots, StoryCorps
Few personal accounts or archival material from the Stonewall riots actually exist. This resource offers a fresh account of those fateful nights through rare recordings unearthed from the archives of StoryCorps, featuring people who were there as the uprising began 50 years ago.
Advocating for Transgender Inclusion in High School Athletics, GLSEN
Fifty-six percent of LGBTQ team members and 66 percent of team leaders competing in high school sports report feeling a positive sense of belonging at school. The ability to participate fully in school life is critical for transgender students’ well-being during adolescence. Despite this, many states and school districts struggle with the issue of transgender inclusion in athletics. Use this advocacy guide to support transgender student athletes in your community.
I hope you’ll find these resources easy to save, download and share with colleagues.
Resources for LGBTQ Youth and Friends/Supporters
Resources for LGBTQ Youth and Friends/Supporters
Some LGBT youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience negative health and life outcomes. It is critical for the parents, guardians, and other family members of LGBT youth to have access to the resources they need to ensure their LGBT children are protected and supported.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual, you’re not alone. Many teens ask themselves this question, and here are ways to find some answers. For parents and caregivers, finding out your son or daughter is gay, lesbian, or bisexual can present challenges. Learn more about how to be supportive.
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Student Action
As a student, you have the power to make change in many ways in your school and community.Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network
GSA clubs are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities.HealthyChildren.org: Health Concerns for Gay and Lesbian teens
Information for LGBT teens on sexual activity, substance use, mental health, discrimination, and violence.It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project inspires people across the globe to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.
The Q Card is a simple and easy-to-use communication tool designed to empower LGBTQ youth to become actively engaged in their health, and to support the people who provide their care.
Q Chat SpaceQ Chat Space is a digital LGBTQ+ center where teens join live-chat, professionally facilitated, online support groups. Also available in Spanish (disponible en español).
Schools should be a young person’s primary center for learning, growing, and building a foundation for success in the world. High school can be challenging for any student, but LGBTQ youth face additional obstacles of harassment, abuse, and violence.
The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
Resources for Educators
Resources for Educators
Because some LGBT youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience bullying or other aggression in school, it is important that educators, counselors, and school administrators have access to resources and support to create a safe, healthy learning environment for all students.
Advocates for Youth (AFY): LGBTQ Resources for Professionals
Lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe space for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.American Psychological Association (APA) Resources
The Safe and Supportive Schools Project promotes safe and supportive environments to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among adolescents.
Just the Facts provides information and resources for principals, educators and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation.
Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History: Teaching materials for educators
“Bullied” is a documentary film designed to help administrators, teachers and counselors create a safer school environment for all students, not just those who are gay and lesbian.CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health: Protective Factors for LGBT Youth: Information for Health and Education Professionals
Information summarizing key findings that can strengthen programs and research that support LGBT youth.Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Educator Resources
GLSEN educator guides and lessons to support your curriculum and practices.
GSA clubs are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities.
HIV and Youth
Addressing HIV in youth requires that young people have access to information and tools they need to reduce their risk, make healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if they have HIV.National Alliance to End Homelessness: Serving LGBT Homeless Youth
To end LGBT youth homelessness, youth and young adults need stable housing, supportive connections to caring adults, and access to mainstream services that will place them on a path to long-term success.
From Stepping Out of the Closet, Into the Light: A Report on the Status of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People in Education
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth and those perceived as LGBT are at an increased risk of being bullied. There are important and unique considerations for strategies to prevent and address bullying of LGBTQ youth.
The Trevor Project’s “Trainings for Professionals” include in-person Ally and CARE trainings designed for adults who work with youth. These trainings help counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses, and social workers discuss LGBTQ-competent suicide prevention.
Resources for Families
Resources for Families
Some LGBT youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience bullying or other aggression in school. It is important that educators, counselors, and school administrators have access to resources and support to create a safe, healthy learning environment for all students.
Advocates for Youth (AFY): Are you an Askable Parent?
AFY provides lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe space for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.American Psychological Association: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation.
The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBT children and youth.
HealthyChildren.org: Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBT Teens
“Coming out” is a lifelong journey of understanding, acknowledging and sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation with others.Kidshealth.org: Sexual Attraction and Orientation
Information for parents on how youth experience sexual attraction and orientation, as well as how you as a parent or guardian may feel about and deal with youth on this topic.Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Information about PFLAG’s confidential peer support and education in communities.Parents’ Influence on the Health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens: What Parents and Families Should Know Cdc-pdf
Information on how parents can promote positive health outcomes for their LGB teen.SAMHSA: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
This resource guide was developed to help practitioners who work in a wide range of settings to understand the critical role of family acceptance and rejection in contributing to the health and well-being of adolescents who identify as LGBT.StopBullying.gov: Information for Parents
Parents play a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. If you know or suspect that your child is involved in bullying, here are several resources that may help.Youth.gov: Electronic Aggression
Increased access to technology has benefits, but it also can increase the risk of abuse.
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