Sexual Orientation and Gender Respect in the Classroom

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Sexual Orientation and Gender Respect in the
Classroom

• Dawn HutsellAugust 2, 2007

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Introduction

• Diversity in gender and sexual orientation is
  widely existent in todays classroom
• Students need to be equipped to understand human
  development
• Students understanding of sexual variation is
  just as important as their understanding of race,
  ethnicity, social class, or family structure

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Societal Response Cycle to Diversity
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Overview

• Demographics of Diversity in the Classroom
• Effects of Diversity in the Classroom
• Societal Response Cycle to Diversity
• Action Plan for Teachers
• Educators Response Cycle to Diversity

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Summary of Research Issues

• Diversity Demographics in the Classroom
• Two categories Visible Diversity and Invisible
  Diversity
• Visible Diversity includes gender, ethnicity,
  and age
• Invisible Diversity includes sensitivity and
  sexual orientation
• The population of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
  Transgender students is growing in most school
  districts today

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Summary of Research Issues

• The Effects of Diversity in the Classroom
• Environment Should be neutral and free of
  ridicule or harassment safe and supportive for
  all students
• Curriculum Should be free of dated societal bias
  and should embrace the concepts of diversity
• Support Eliminate language and behaviors that
  could be offensive or cause isolation

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Summary of Research Issues

• The Societal Response Cycle
• Lack of Education and Understanding Society
  fears that which it does not understand
• Lack of Tolerance Out of ignorance and fear,
  society chooses not to tolerate diversity
• Discriminatory Practices These occur either out
  of fear and hatred OR in an effort to isolate or
  conform
• Behavioral Patterns These evolve over time and
  are the lasting effects on all of society

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Summary of Research Issues

• Action Plan for Teachers
• Understand and Educate
• Read research material (print and internet)
• Attend seminars and workgroups
• Accept and Tolerate
• Eliminate personal bias and opinion
• Eliminate harmful language
• Create a Neutral Environment
• Safe, supportive, and confident for all
• Eliminate aggressive behavior

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Summary of Research Issues

• The Educators Response Cycle
• Education and Understanding Ask questions
  consistent with other issues of diversity
• Acceptance and Tolerance Identify prejudices and
  stereotypes and eliminate them
• Neutral Environment Safe, Supportive, and
  Confidential
• Positive Influences Remove stigmas and replace
  with a culture that promotes individual learning.

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Educators Response Cycle to Diversity
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Websites

• http//www.lgbthealth.netThis is the website of
  The National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay,
  Bisexual, Transgender health. It is a good
  resource for educators and parents
• http//www.aclu.org/lgbt/index.html
• The American Civil Liberties Union website which
  promotes LGBT rights and fights discrimination.
  The site provides information on rights of the
  American people. This is a good resource for
  educators, health care providers, etc.

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Websites continued

• http//styluspub.com/books/BookDEtail.aspx?product
  ID152890
• This is a website of a publisher of books on LGBT
  issues. Books are referenced to on the topic of
  sexual diversity. This would be a great resource
  for educators who are looking to gain knowledge
  on the topic. They offer books for K-12
  classrooms.

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Print Resources

• Mathison, C. (1998). The invisible minority
  Preparing teachers to meet the needs of gay and
  lesbian youth. Journal of Teacher Education,
  49,151-155.
• Nichols, S. L. (1999). Gay, lesbian, and
  bisexual youth Understanding diversity and
  promoting tolerance in schools. The Elementary
  School Journal, 99, 507-519.

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Print Resources Continued

• Kissen, M. (2003). Getting Ready for Benjamin
  Preparing Teachers for Sexual Diversity in the
  Classroom. Lanham, MD Rowman Littlefield
  Publishers, Inc.
• This is a great book for teachers and future
  teachers. It shares strategies, confronts
  homophobia, and prepares teachers to teach
  diversity.