Academic Advising for Sexual Minority Students
The Alberta Teachers Association is committed to meeting the educational needs of students of all sexual orientations and gender identifications. Alberta teacher-counsellors, as members of Alberta Teachers' Association, assist gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified, intersex, two-spirited, queer, and questioning youth develop educational plans that meet their life goals. Distance learning and online education can be a viable educational option for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified students.
Academic Planning:
Students considering taking online or distance learning courses may wish to determine if online and distance learning courses will meet their needs. Links to a few videos about taking online and distance learning courses are listed below.
Students planning to attend a college or university must contact the college or university they are considering to determine the high school courses that must be completed. Links to many of the major colleges and universities in Canada are Canadian Colleges page.
Students who have been out of school three or more years are strongly encouraged to write Mathematics and English Placement Exercises before registering in Math or English courses or before registering in courses requiring strong Math or English skills. We recommend that students who are needing to upgrade their courses and completed any of the following courses complete a Placement Exercise:
Math 16, Math 26
Math 10, Math 20, Math 30
Math 13, Math 23, Math 33
Math 10 Pure, Math 20 Pure, Math 30 Pure
Math 10 Applied, Math 20 Applied, Math 30 Applied
English 16, English 26, English 36
English 13, English 23, English 33
English 10, English 20, English 30
Alberta students wanting to learn what they need to take to graduate may obtain a transcript or a statement of courses and marks. Obtaining either a transcript or a statement of courses and marks is easier when the student knows his or her Alberta Student Number (Alberta Education ID number). The Alberta Student Number is given on Statements of Marks mailed to students at school year-end. However, to find your number, you may click on the Alberta Education website and a new window will open. Then, follow the directions there. In the middle, click on the words Enter Learner Registry. Once in the Learner Registry, click on Lookup ASN(toward the middle of the page that has text). Then, give your name andcertify you are the person who is looking up the Alberta Student Numberor that you have been authorized to obtain that information. Then, youwill be taken to a page that asks for student's name, date of birth,and gender. When you provide that information, the system will search for the Alberta Student Number. Should the system find the Alberta Student Number, it will appear in dark blue above the box where the student's name was typed.
When students have their Alberta Student Numbers, they can go to the Request Documents page of Alberta Education's website. The Request Documents page outlines the cost of an official transcript and has order forms thatcan be printed from the website, completed, and faxed or mailed to theTranscripts Unit of Alberta Education. A statement of courses and markscan be requested, also. Although a statement of courses and marks isnot an official transcript and is not acceptable to apply to colleges and universities, it shows all the courses and credits completed. The statement of courses and marks is free and can be used to plan how to complete your High School Diploma. To print a request form for astatement of courses and marks, click here.
Resources:
Alberta Teachers' Association Gay Straight Alliance resources. Resources on the website include posters, a teacher's guide and information about creating Gay Straight Alliances.
American Psychological Association Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office. The LGBT Concerns Office web pages contains news, information and publications related to mental health and sexual minority groups.
Building Your GSA. Web page provides information about starting a Gay Straight Alliance.
Build it Up. Online resource about creating school Gay Straight Alliances. The online resource is provided by the Colorado Gay Straight Alliance Network.
Bully Free Alberta. Students who experience bullying are encouraged to visit the Alberta Government website Bully Free Alberta. The Province of Alberta operates a toll-free line for support and advice for dealing with bullying. The helpline is available 24 hours a day seven days a week and is staffed by trained counsellors. The toll-free number for Alberta residents is 1-888-456-2323.
Camp fYrefly. The University of Alberta operates Camp fYrefly. At the camp,students learn leadership and resiliency skills.
Campaign for Positive Space - University of Calgary. Campaign promotes welcoming places for all people working or studying at the University of Calgary. The Campaign attempts to educate and address discrimination related to sexual and gender diversity.
Choosing a Gay Friendly College. Suite101.com article provides tips on how to determine if a college or university provides a welcoming environment.
COLAGE. COLAGE is a website for people who have gay, lesbian bisexual or trans parents. COLAGE provides online resource booklet for children of transgender parents, the Kids of Trans Resource Guide.
Coming Out to Your Parents. Colorado State University web page with information that is of value to people who are considering coming out to their families.
Gay Straight Alliance Network. The Gay Straight Alliance is an United States organization that aims to create safe school environments for sexual minority students.
Homophobic Bullying Resources. Alberta Government information and resources about homophobic bullying. Fact sheets, free to Alberta residents, about homophobic bullying can be obtained from the Alberta Government.
Institute of Sexual Minority Studies and Services. This University of Alberta institute promotes scholarly studies, policy development, education, community outreach, and services related to sexual minorities.
Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies. The institute, which is located on the University of Manitoba, promotes feminist research and culture, activism, and helps reduce social injustice on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation and identity, class, age, ability, and religion.
Jer's Vision. Jer's Vision provides anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programs and has scholarships for sexual minority youth.
Kids Help Phone. Help line for youth living in Canada. Trained counsellors are available online or by phone 24/7. The toll free number is 1-800-668-6868.
MacEwan Diversity Project. Grant MacEwan University's Diversity Project helps educate staff and students, and helps sexual minority students access resources.
Need Help Now. Website provides information about how to have healthy friendships and relationships and what to do if explicit videos or photos of you have been posted on the internet.
Out on Campus - Simon Fraser University. Out on Campus is Simon Fraser University's center for members of sexual minorities and their allies.
OUTReach. University of Alberta gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified and queer student group.
PFLAG Canada (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Site has resources for family and friends of individuals who are members of a sexual minority. PFLAG has groups in several Alberta towns and cities.
Positive Space - Mount Royal University. Group of Mount Royal staff and students who promote understanding and respect for sexual orientation and gender diversity.
Positive Space - Ryerson University. Group of Ryerson University students, staff and faculty who work to make Ryerson a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Positive Space Campaign - University of British Columbia. Campaign designed to make the University of British Columbia to make the university more open and receptive to sexual minority students.
Positive Space Campaign - University of Toronto. Campaign to help identify safer and more inclusive spaces for sexual minority students, faculty and staff.
Pride UBC. Pride UBC offers educational and social services related to sexual orientation and gender identity to students, staff and faculty of the University of British Columbia.
Public Health Agency of Canada. The Public Health Agency is a branch of the Government of Canada. Information about sexual orientation in schools, and gender identity in schools.
Safe Spaces Initiative. Safe Spaces is an Alberta Teachers' Association and Safe and Caring Schools project. Safe Spaces information, brochures, posters and stickers are on the Alberta Teachers' Association website.
Stop a Bully. The Stop a Bully website provides information, resources and videos related to bullying.
Study Abroad for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trangendered (GLBT) Students. This Michigan State University webpage provides information for queer students who are thinking of studying in another country.
TransParent Canada. Organization supporting the transgender and transsexual communities.
University of Toronto Sexual and Gender Diversity Office. University of Toronto centre website has information about programs, services and resource links.
USSU Pride Centre. University of Saskatchewan Students' Union Pride Centre provides peer support, discussion groups and resources for GLBT students.
UVic Pride. Group represents and advocates for queer students at the University of Victoria.
Youth Understanding Youth. Facebook page. Edmonton organization providing social support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans-identified and questioning youth, and their allies.
Scholarships:
Colleges, universities and community agencies are increasingly offering scholarships for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans stduents. Some scholarships for queer students appear below:
General Scholarships. Sexual minority students who meet the eligibility requirements may be eligible for many scholarships. Information about general scholarships for post-secondary studies can be found on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page of our website. Some sexual minority students might also be eligible for scholarships established to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students.
Bill 7 Award. Ontario award for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and two-spirited students in financial need in any post-secondary institution in Ontario.
Dadson Scholarship. University of Toronto award for students in the undergraduate sexual diversity studies program. Candidates need to be Canadian citizens who are residing in Ontario. Selection is based on financial need and leadership potential in the queer community.
DalOUT. A $1,500 Dalhousie University scholarship for students who made a signficant contribution to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer community and to promoting awareness and acceptance of sexual diversity.
Donald L. Boisvert Scholarship for Gay and Lesbian Studies. The scholarship is for Concordia University students taking a gay and lesbian studies program and who are involved in activism.
Emperor/Sergio Apolloni Memorial Scholarship. University of Toronto scholarship for students registered in the sexual diversity studies.
Jer's Vision. Founded by Jeremy Dias, Jer's Vision offers awards and scholarships. The Jeremy Dias Scholarship is for high school students planning on attending accredited post-secondary institutions or for students attending post-secondary institutions. The scholarship is for students who have worked to reduce discrimination, homophobia, or heterosexism in their school or community.
John M. Kerr Memorial Scholarship Award. Yearly scholarships are awarded to gay or lesbian students enrolled in accredited post-secondary programs in Alberta. The number of scholarships awarded and the amount of the scholarships vary yearly. Generally, the amount of the scholarships is between $500 and $750.
Lambda Foundation Scholarship. Lambda scholarships are available for eligible students at participating Canadian universities. The scholarships are for graduate students who are conducting research projects related to gays and lesbians.
League Foundation. The League offers scholarships for United States citizens attending post-secondary institutions in Canada or the United States. The League awards League Foundation Scholarships, a Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship and a Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship.
LGBTOUT Student Award. University of Toronto award for sexual minority students who are residents of Ontario and who can demonstrate volunteer contributions to a school or a sexual minority community.
LOUD. The LOUD Business directory offers scholarships of up to $2,000 and a Little Sisters Bookstore Scholarship of $1,000.
Mark S. Bonham Scholarship for Queer Studies in Film and Video. A $5,000 scholarship is available for gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-identified students, who are pursuing full-time, post-secondary film studies programs related to GLBT culture, or that help educate society about GLBT people and issues.
Michael Phair Leadership Award. The Michael Phair Award is the first University of Alberta award that is specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified, or queer students. Applicants need to demonstrate leadership qualities. Preference may be given to students who demonstrate leadership within queer communities.
Rainbow Triangle Alumni Association Award. University of Toronto award for student taking one of the specified courses in the sexual diversity studies program.
Roberts Fund. This University of Toronto award is available for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students. Financial need and volunteer contributions that helped increase the acceptance of sexual diversity are taken into consideration.
ScholarshipsCanada.Com. Scholarships can be searched by key words. In the top right side of the web page, click on scholarship name. Typing the word gay in the key word search box will provide a list of scholarships with the word gay in the scholarship title.
Sexual Diversity Studies Scholarship. This University of Toronto award for students in the undergraduate sexual diversity studies program. Awards are given on the basis of financial need and academic merit.
TD Scholarships for Community Leadership. This scholarship is not restricted to sexual minority youth. GLBT students who have made a difference in their community in areas such as social justice, the environment and ending child poverty may wish to apply for the scholarship. Each scholarship is valued at $70,000.
Young and Free Alberta Scholarship. The Young and Free Scholarship is not limited to sexual minority youth, but may be of interest to GLBT activists. A scholarship of $1,000 is provided to students who were positively influenced by a mentor to improve the world.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students wishing to complete post-secondary studies in the United States may wish to review some of the scholarships found on the following web sites:
Campus Pride. On the Campus Pride website is a database of scholarships available for LGBT students in the United States.
Financial Aid for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Students. This United States website provides information about national and regional scholarships for GLBT students.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The HRC website has links to numerous scholarships. State-specific and national scholarships are listed. Scholarships can be searched by state.
International Scholarships and Financial Aid Positions. The GLBT student page provides links to organizations offering scholarships for GLBT students.
Joel Working Scholar. The $1,000 scholarship is available for out GLBT Lutheran seminary students.
LEAGUE Foundation. On the LEAGUE Foundation website is information about the Matthew Shepard Scholarship and the Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship.
Point Foundation. The Point Foundation, an American foundation, awarded more than $3 million in awards to outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Point scholarships can be used to help cover tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses. Point scholars also receive mentoring and leadership training.
Safe Schools Coalition. The Scholarships and Grants page describes numerous scholarships for sexual minority students.
Stonewall Foundation Scholarships. The Stonewall Foundation website links to a number of scholarships and other sources of funding, including Harry Bartel Memorial Scholarship Fund, Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship, Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship, Levin-Goffe Scholarship, Bee Winkler Weinstein Fund and Leonore Gordon PD Arts and Wellness on the Go Fund.
University Studies:
Affordable Colleges Online provides a valuable web page, “LGBTQ Friendly Colleges and Student Resources.” The LGBT Friendly Colleges page is a good starting point for queer students who are planning on going to college or university. The web page discusses what makes a college friendly for sexual minority students, factors queer students may want to consider when choosing a college, when online an online post-secondary program might be a good option for LGBT students and what queer students should consider when choosing an online program.
An increasing number of colleges and universities are offering courses, certificates, minors and degrees in areas that could be of interest to members of sexual minority groups. A few post-secondary programs related to sexual orientation and gender studies appear below.
American University. United States private university. American University offers an undergraduate minor and major in GLBT studies.
Arizona State University. United States university. Arizona State University offers an undergraduate certificate in LGBT studies.
Brandeis University. Brandeis offers a minor in sexuality and queer studies.
City College San Francisco. United States public college. City College offers an associate degree in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies.
City University of New York. United States public university. City University's Graduate Center offers a concentration in lesbian, gay and queer studies.
Concordia University. Concordia's school of cinema offers an interdisciplinary minor in sexuality studies.
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. The Consortium provides a list of many college and university programs related to sexual minority studies.
Cornell University. Cornell offers undergraduate and graduate minors in LGBT studies.
DePaul University. A minor in lesbian, gay, bi, transgender and queer studies is available from DePaul.
Elmhurst College. United States private college offers a concentration in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies. A 2012 news bulletin from the president of Elmhurst College explains that Elmhurst College welcomes GLBT students and wants GLBT students to feel safe supported. The college does not want queer students to feel alone.
Florida International University. Florida International has a certificate in queer studies.
George Washington University. United States private university. George Washington University's women's studies department offers a minor in LGBT and sexuality studies.
Goddard College. United States private college. Goddard offers an M.A. in psychology and counseling, with a concentration in sexual orientation.
Hampshire College. A concentration in queer studies is taught at Hampshire College.
McGill University. McGill offers a minor in sexual diversity studies.
New York University. New York University offers an undergraduate major and an undergraduate minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Ohio State University. Students at Ohio State University may complete a major or a minor in sexuality studies.
Pacific School of Religion. United States private seminary. Pacific School of Religion offers a graduate certificate in sexuality and religion.
Portland State University. Portland State offers a minor in sexuality, gender and queer studies
San Diego State University. San Diego State offers an undergraduate major and minor in LGBT studies. The university has a number of graduate courses that have GLBT content.
San Francisco State University. United States public university. Offers an M.A. in sexuality studies.
Sarah Lawrence College. Sarah Lawrence offers some courses in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender studies.
Sarah Lawrence College. Sarah Lawrence offers some courses in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender studies.
Syracuse University. United States private university. Syracuse University offers a minor in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender studies.
University of Alberta. Students interested in graduate research about the needs of sexual minorities that relate to education, culture and society may contact the Department of Educational Policy Studies.
University of Arizona. The Institute of LGBT studies promotes the study of issues of importance to sexual minorities. The Institute's website lists University of Arizona courses with sexuality content offered during each academic term.
University of British Columbia. Canadian public university. UBC offers an undergraduate minor and major in Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice.
University College - Toronto. University College is a part of the University of Toronto. University College offers undergraduate, M.A. and Ph.D. level degree programs related to Sexual Diversity Studies.
University of California - Berkeley. Berkeley's women's studies department offers an undergraduate minor in LGBT studies.
University of California - Los Angeles. United States public university. UCLA offers a minor in LGBT studies.
University of Chicago. An undergraduate major and a graduate certificate in gender and sexuality students is available at the University of Chicago.
University of Colorado - Boulder. United States public university. The University of Colorado offers a certificate in LGBT studies.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana, Lafayette offers a minor in LGBT studies.
University of Maryland. United States public university. The University of Maryland offers an undergraduate minor in LGBT studies.
University of New Hampshire. A queer studies minor is offered by the University of New Hampshire.
University of North Texas. The University of North Texas offers an LGBT studies minor.
University of Oregon. The University of Oregon offers a minor in queer studies.
University of Washington. An undergraduate major in gender women and sexuality studies and a graduate certificate in sexuality and queer studies is offered by the University of Washington.
University of Windsor. An undergraduate minor in sexuality is offered by the University of Windsor. Students in the social justice stream of a Ph.D. in sociology might be able to research GLBT topics.
University of Winnipeg. The University of Winnipeg offers a B.A. degree in Women's and Gender Studies. The department of Women's and Gender Studies provides courses related to transgender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Wesleyan University. United States private university. Wesleyan offers a concentration in queer studies within the undergraduate degree program in American studies.
Washington State University. A minor in queer studies is available at Washington State University.
Yale University. At Yale, the undergraduate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies courses are part of the Women's Gender and Sexuaity Studies program.
York University. York offers an undergraduate certificate and an undergraduate degree in sexuality.
Important Yearly Events:
Pink Shirt Day - February 27, 2013. Canadian day against bullying.
Day of Pink - April 11. Day of Pink is the international day against bullying, discrimination and homophobia in schools and in communities.
Day of Silence - April 19, 2013. Day of Silence is a day when some students take a vow of silence in protest over anti-gay bullying.
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - May 17.
Queer Prom - Edmonton. Friday - May 24, 2013 @ 7:00pm.
Camp fYrefly - Summer applications for the GLBT friendly camp are available for the 2011. Applications can be accepted until May 15. The Camp runs from Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31 in Edmonton.
National Coming Out Day - October 11.
Spirit Day - October 17, 2013.
International Trans Day of Remembrance - November 20.
Video competition for youth age 12-19. The video needs to help promote acceptance of diversity and help create safer schools and communities. The winning entry can receive $2,500. Information about the competition can be found on the Out in Schools website.
Activities taking place at the University of Alberta during the fall of 2015. To see the events, click on the "Rainbow Welcome Events Poster" file, at the bottom of the page.