Safe Schools Page
All students,
including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) have the
right to attend school free of fear. You may think that your school
provides this safe haven, however, in many situations we have found that
anti-gay remarks are ignored, sometimes even by teachers and other school
professionals from the early grades through high school. When this happens, all
students get the message that gays are not protected. In such a hostile
environment, verbal abuse can quickly lead to physical attacks on students who
are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.
Without adult support, LGBTQ students live in fear and find it difficult, if not
impossible, to concentrate on learning. They are more likely to underachieve,
drop out of school, and abuse alcohol and drugs. The statistics are staggering:
80 percent of gay and lesbian youth are victims of verbal abuse and two-thirds
have been threatened with or injured by a weapon. Gay teens are up to six times
more likely to attempt suicide. Thirty percent of them succeed.
But something can be done, and PFLAGYork wants to help.
The purpose of this page is to provide you with information that will be helpful
in the understanding our our LGBTQ youth and to provide suggested readings,
links, and other beneficial information. To learn more and/or to find out
how we can help you, please e-mail me at
webmaster@pflagyork.org
Tips for Professionals Who Work with Gay Youth
...from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (www.pflag.org)
Don't be surprised when a young person "comes out" to you. They have tested you with a series of "trial balloons" over a period of time. Based on your previous responses they've decided you can be trusted and helpful.
Respect confidentiality. If a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender youth shares with you information about his or her sexual orientation, you have a trust that must be respected. A breach of this confidence has led some to suicide.
Be informed & examine your own biases. Most of us are the products of a homophobic society influenced by misinformation and fear. You can't be free of it just by deciding to; read reliable sources and talk to qualified persons.
Know when and where to seek help. Know the referral agencies and counselors in your area. Gay help-lines can provide you with professional persons and organizations that are qualified to help. Tell them who you are and what kind of assistance you need. They'll be helpful and fair.
Maintain a balanced perspective. Sexual thoughts and feelings are only a small (but important) part of a person's personality.
Understand the meaning of sexual orientation. Each person's sexual orientation is what is natural to that person. It is not a matter of sexual "preference." People do not choose to be gay or lesbian; they simply are.
Deal with feelings first. Most gay and lesbian youth feel alone, afraid and guilty. You can assist by listening, thus allowing them to release feelings and thoughts that are often in conflict.
Be supportive. Explain that many people have struggled with this issue in the past. Admit that dealing with one's sexuality is difficult. It defies easy and fast answers, whether heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian or transgender. Keep the door open for more conversations and assistance.
Anticipate some confusion. Most youth are sure of their sexual orientation by the time they finish the eight grade. But some young people will be confused and unsure. They have to work through their own feeling and insights; you can't talk them into, or out of being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
Help but do not force. If you are heterosexual, you probably do not understand what it means to be different in this manner. Clues for how you can help will come from the young person. Don't force him or her into your frame of reference to make it easier for you to understand.
Don't try to guess who's gay or lesbian. It is not helpful for you or for the youth you serve. We live in a world of stereotypes that do people an injustice; do not be tempted to perpetuate old myths.
Challenge homophobic remarks and jokes. Would you be silent if someone made a racial slur or disparaging remark about someone's race? If not, then speak up. Don't perpetuate injustice through silence.
Suggested Reading
Safe Schools
Hatred in the
Hallway: Violence and Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Students in U.S. Schools, Human Rights Watch, 2001,
www.hrw.org/reports/2001/uslgbt/toc.htm
How Homophobia Hurts Children, Jean M. Baker, Ph.D., Harrington Park Press, 2001
When the Drama Club Is Not Enough: Lessons from the Safe Schools Program for Gay
and Lesbian Students, Jeff Perrotti and Kim Westheimer, Beacon Press 2001
Two Teenagers in 20: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth, Ed. Ann Heron, Alyson
Publications, 1994
Children's Books
How Would You
Feel If Your Dad Was Gay? by Ann Heron and Meredith Maran
Gloria Goes to Gay Pride by Leslea Newman
Families: A Celebration of Diversity, Commitment and Love by Aylette Jenness
Faculty Advisor - Resource/Contact
William Penn High School G.L.A.S.S. (gay, lesbian, and straight students) club, York, PA
Yvonne Rothstein rothsyvo@ycs.k12.pa.us
Helpful Links
Information:
Jump-Start I: A How-To Guide for New and Established GSAs (*PDF File)
GLSEN Safe Space Guide (*PDF File)
A guide to Effective Statewide Laws/Policies for Preventing Discrimination of GLBT Students in K-12 Schools - A joint publication from Lambda Legal and GLSEN (*PDF File)
National Information
Our Daughters and Sons (*PDF File)
Be Yourself - Questions and Answers for GLBTQ Youth (*PDF File)
From Our House to the Schoolhouse (*PDF File)
Faith in our Family's (*PDF File)
Bisexuality 101 (*PDF File)
Information
Road Blocks and Responses in Addressing LGBTQ Issues
10 Easy Steps to Starting a Gay Straight Alliance
Making Schools Safe for GLBTQ Students and Staff
ACLU Information on Making Schools Safe
The
Trevor Helpline 1-866-488-7386 is a national 24 hour suicide prevention
hotline aimed at GLTB youth.
Common Roads - mission is to support and enhance the physical and emotional well-being of LGBTQ youth (ages 14-22) in Central Pennsylvania.
The Curve - Planned Parenthood of Central Pennsylvania is in the process of developing a support program for the queer youth community in the York area. We are planning to create a safe and fun environment for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people and their allies. Click on the picture to access The Curve at MySpace.com
*To
download the free Adobe Acrobat (PDF File) reader click on this logo:
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Your support will help us to expand our outreach to the York County School Districts and to reach out to more families of LGBTQ people.
All donations made to PFLAG York are tax deductible.
Please be generous!
If you wish to make a donation, please send a check or money order to:
Attn: PFLAG York
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York
925 South George Street
York, PA 17403
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