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.
The Facing History & Ourselves website offers "ideas and guidance on how to incorporate LGBTQ+ voices and history into your teaching.
Powered 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.
LGBTQ History.org has created a LGBTQ Rights Timeline in American History that 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.
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.
The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ via The New York Times
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary School Students via The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools Organization
Glossary of terms that relate to the LGBTQ community via the Trevor Project
A Guide To Gender Identity Terms via National Public Radio
LGBTQ+ Book List via Teaching for Change's Social Justice Books Organization
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Welcoming Schools Recommended Books Lists via The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools Organization
The Trevor Project has developed The Coming Out Handbook to "explore what coming out means to you with tools and guiding questions."
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.
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.
Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children Definitions + Additional Information & Resources via The American Academy of Pediatrics' Health Children Organization
The Safe Space Kit: Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Students via GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
Educator Resources (Lesson Plans, Inclusive Curriculum, etc.) via GLSEN
Gender-Affirming Care: What It is and Why It's Necessary via Learning for Justice
Incorporation of LGBTQ+ Studies in K-12 Education via the American Federation of Teachers
As teachers, caregivers, and community members we must seek out opportunities for professional development and self-work.
Affirming Our LGBTQ+ Educators Is Essential to Fighting Prejudice via Education Post, a network of education activists demanding a better education and a brighter future for every child.
Bystander Intervention to Stop LGBTQ+ Harassment and De-escalation Training Workshop by Right to Be
LGBTQ Inclusive School: Action Planning via GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
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.
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.
Last updated February 9, 2024.