Pride Month resources to support LGBTQ students

June 18, 2018

June may be Pride Month but creating safe and inclusive school environments for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning) students, and students with LGBTQ family members, is a year-round effort.

California, as the first and only state to require that students be taught about the contributions of LGBTQ people as part of their social studies coursework, is viewed as a leader in inclusivity by advocates. Still, according to a UCLA study published in 2017, California’s LGBTQ youth, who make up 10.3 % of the public middle and high school population, report feeling less safe than their non-LGBTQ peers.

According to a survey from research firm RTI International, LGBTQ students are two to three times more likely than their peers to be physically assaulted or threatened at school, and are “in urgent need of safe and tolerant environments.” And school personnel, who may be in a position to help, often “lack the knowledge and skills to advocate for them.” The Human Rights Campaign says inclusive schools are essential: “It’s simple: students who don’t feel safe can’t focus on learning. Once students feel like they belong, they thrive academically and socially.”

The following are some of the many online training and education resources available for teachers and students.

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