Classrooms need to be safe and welcoming spaces for all children, including children and teens who identify as LGBTQ+. And teachers need to have all the tools to nurture and support all learners and build a classroom community that is inclusive and inviting. To that end, we have pulled together resources to educate ourselves, our classrooms, and our school communities to better support our LGBTQ+ students and colleagues.
LGBTQ+ History
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The Facing History & Ourselveswebsite offers "ideas and guidance on how to incorporate LGBTQ+ voices and history into your teachingPowered by Rainbows has myriad videos and podcasts on LBGTQ+ resources, history, current events, and more. They offer a special group of resources for educators, like this video about How to Make Your School LGBTQ Inclusive. It includes a number of suggestions for educators who are new to this work or consider themselves more experienced.
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LGBTQ History.org has created a LGBTQ Rights Timeline in American Historythat spans from Colonial Life and Founding of the Nation (1607-1770) to The 21st Century Transformation (2000-Present). The website also offers lesson plans, and video and multimedia resources.
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The Making Gay History podcast has twelve seasons (and counting!) that bring the voices of LBGTQ+ history to life through exploratory conversations with those who lived through it.
Resources & Book Lists
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The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+via The New York Times
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Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary School Students via The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools Organization
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Glossary of terms that relate to the LGBTQ communityvia the Trevor Project
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A Guide To Gender Identity Termsvia National Public Radio
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LGBTQ+ Book List via Teaching for Change's Social Justice Books Organization
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The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Welcoming Schools Recommended Books Lists via via The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools Organization
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The Trevor Project has developed The Coming Out Handbook to "explore what coming out means to you with tools and guiding questions."
EDTalks: Creating Gender Inclusive Schools by Jason Bucklin
LGBTQ Program Coordinator with Minneapolis Public Schools
Bring The Work Into Our Classrooms
Once you have a good grasp on some basic concepts of this work, it's time to start thinking about how to take what you've learned into the classroom.
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The National Education Association has built a webpage with information for how to go about Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth. The webpage includes information on how to build safe, affirming, and inclusive schools. Also included is a link to their resource toolkit.
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Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children Definitions + Additional Information & Resources via The American Academy of Pediatrics's Health Children Organization
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The Safe Space Kit: Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Studentsvia GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
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Educator Resources (Lesson Plans, Inclusive Curriculum, etc.)via GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
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Educator Resources via Gender Spectrum
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Incorporation of LGBTQ+ Studies in K-12 Education via the American Federation of Teachers
Extend Our Learning
As teachers, caregivers, and community members we must seek out opportunities for professional development and self-work.
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Affirming Our LGBTQ+ Educators Is Essential to Fighting Prejudice via Education Posta network of education activists demanding a better education and a brighter future for every child.
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Bystander Intervention to Stop LGBTQ+ Harassment and De-escalation Training Workshopby Right to Be
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LGBTQ Inclusive School: Action Planningvia GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
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LGBTQ+ Student Experiences at HBCUs(Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Dr. Kevin M. Banks invites readers to "Dig into the experiences of LGBTQ+ students, and learn how to support inclusive practices at HBCUs." via Best Colleges.
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The Be a Better Ally podcast aims to “engage educators everywhere with thinking that builds more LGBTQ+ inclusive schools."
This post was originally published on June 8, 2022 and continues to be updated.
Check back for updates and share with fellow educators.