Inclusion for LGBTQ Students

This week’s episode is on safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students. Leonne discusses the topic with three staff members of Basic Rights Oregon:  Jo Xavier Doyle, Leadership Development & Training Program Manager, Gaby Gardiner, Statewide Engagment Manager, and Seth Johnstone, Transgender Justice Organizer & Trainer. Basic Rights Oregon works for legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ Oregonians. To support LGBTQ+ students, educators are encouraged to start by building relationships with students and getting to know them. To affirm their identities, let go of assumptions when a student tells you about who they are and instead, believe them. Our guests have some additional suggestions for supporting LGBTQ+ students such as inclusive sex education, gender inclusive and neutral facilitaties, and visual display of support for marginalized students. Students themselves have wisdom we can learn from. Jo, Gaby, and Seth advise us to pay attention to the situations in schools that cayse anxiety for our LGBTQ+ students, then get creative about how to make those situations less stressful. Additionally, student-led efforts to make changes are important and powerful, such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs). School staff can help by uplifting students involved in GSAs. Educators can also be prepared to interrupt biased or harmful comments or actions by having and practicing a clear plan of how to respond. And finally, we are reminded that one supportvie adult can significantly reduce suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth. 

 

Resources:

Basic Rights Oregon

LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success - Oregon Department of Education

Educator Resources - GLSEN

Health, Safety, and Wellness: Sexuality Education - Oregon Department of Education