Equality
ALLY
Resources for Educators
A Note About Pronouns:
Have you heard someone say "My pronouns are...." and are you wondering why people say that? Asking someone what their pronouns are conveys a sense of respect and shows that you aren’t going to assume this simply by looking at them (their gender expression). For example, someone who is a woman or female may wish to be addressed as “she/her.” However, some individuals may use gender neutral pronouns, such as “they or them.” For example, “Tristan left school early because they were not feeling well.” If you’re unsure about someone's pronouns, ask. You can do this by saying “Hi, I’m Mrs. Jones and I use she/her pronouns. What’s your name and pronouns?”
Welcoming Schools offers professional development tools, lessons aligned with the Common Core State Standards, and additional resources for elementary schools to assist in creating learning environments in which ALL students and families are welcomed and respected. Topics include: embracing family diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping and affirming gender, and ending bullying and name-calling.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network authors evidence-based resources for educators, partners with decision-makers to ensure that comprehensive and inclusive safe school policies are implemented, supports student-led efforts to positively impact their own schools, and conducts extensive research and evaluation on LGBTQ issues in K-12 education.
Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, is dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving intergroup relations and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation’s children. They provide free educational materials to teachers, including the Teaching Tolerance magazine and curricular kits.
In partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this kit provides tools that will help you prepare to teach about respect and includes lesson plans focusing on name-calling, bullying and bias, LGBT-inclusive family diversity and gender roles and diversity and are designed to be used as either standalone lessons or as part of a school-wide anti-bias or bullying prevention program.
Advocates for Youth provides an online toolkit, including lesson plans, to assist professionals in educating youth to understand and support their LGBTQ peers, create awareness among staff, and proving information about how to become an ally.
San Francisco Unified School District provides professional development to staff, as well as curriculum on LGBT and diversity issues. Lesson plans and curricular tools are provided for K-12.
The Gender Bias Learning Project is housed within the Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings College of the Law. The Center for WorkLife Law, with support from a NSF ADVANCE leadership grant, has developed an on-line gender bias training that teaches you to identify the basic patterns of gender bias.
The Safe Schools coalition is comprised of community organizations, school & government agencies, churches, youth groups and individuals working together to protect all child from bullying based on perceived sexual orientation.
The ThinkB4YouSpeak Guide for Educators and multimedia PSA campaign is the result of a collaboration between GLSEN and The Ad Council. The guide assists educators in framing discussions of the ads in class, teaching students about the effects of anti-LGBT language (such as "that's so gay"), and giving them the skills to navigate these issues and create a more positive environment for LGBT teens.
This guide highlights best practices while offering strategies for building upon and aligning them with each school’s culture. Statements, recommendations and resources are based on data, research and best practices that have been tested in the field, as well as narratives of real experiences from students, parents, caregivers and educators.
Interested in learning more about trans and GNC student? GLSEN has provided a free webinar where you can meet students, understand best practices, and use valuable resources.
A group of 12 national education, health, mental health and religious organizations believe that all students should have an opportunity to learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. Just the Facts provides information and resources for principals, educators and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project is an education and advocacy program focused on creating and maintaining an athletic and physical education climate that is based on the core principles of respect, safety and equal access for all students, teachers and coaches regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression and integrating these efforts into overall school plans to ensure a safe, respectful school climate and culture.
Many of the following professional organizations have resources and tools for professionals, as well as position statements, in regards to LGBTQ youth:
Looking for LGBTQ Fiction & Non-Fiction or Books on Diversity?
