How To Support LGBT Students Year Round
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This past June 28th marked 53 years since the Stonewall Riots.
It’s important for us to look back, reflect, and remind ourselves of how much had to be done for us to be able to be where we are as we build an open and inclusive society. Big political events can surely drive change, but change really starts with people.
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A large part of our personality is developed while we’re in school, through the experiences we have and people we meet. Besides that, schools play an important role in students’ growth as individuals, ideally representing a safe space where we can express ourselves and should be able to ask for help when needed.
Around the world we see a variety of struggles, about which schools guide students by acting as mediators and educators even outside classrooms. After all, those students, independent of their backgrounds, should feel welcome, safe, and included.
That’s why we’d like to shine a light on how you can support LGBTQIA+ students in your school. Here are some ideas on how you can impact your school’s environment and make a big difference.
1. Find allies
It’s easy to feel alone when you’re a part of a minority group — but it’s often not true. Start by looking for faculty or other adults who could be allies or advocates for LGBTQIA+ students at your school. For example, they can help by lending an ear to students’ struggles and brainstorming possible solutions. Having a mentor to support or simply listen to your feelings can make things easier.
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2. Propose “safe space” signs
Propose hanging up signs saying “safe space” or “LGBTQIA+ welcome” in communal areas or classrooms. This lets students know that your school is a LGBTQIA+-friendly environment, and will not tolerate anti-LGBTQIA+ language or harassment. This can even be a fun activity for people who like to design and do crafts, in the form of a contest to choose the best signs!
A survey from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) showed that “the safe space campaign, like enumerated antibullying policies, makes a tremendous difference in LGBTQIA+ students’ perceptions that their schools are safe and that their teachers are adults they can trust.”
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3. Create student resource groups
Maybe your school already has extracurricular student groups such as clubs related to hobbies or even activism. The AFT (American Federation of Teachers) points out that school-based extracurricular groups have the “potential to shape school climate, address inequality, and affect student performance.”
Having a club that supports LGBTQIA+ students at school can help create a support network and reduce discrimination by promoting and fostering safety. They can also ensure that the school’s policies and curriculum are inclusive. Offering to start such a group at your school, or becoming an advisor for an existing one can help ensure that students have positive experiences.
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4. Stand up against homophobia
GLSEN reports that “LGBTQ youth face bullying at significantly higher rates than their peers, and the consequences, such as increased rates of suicide, can be heartbreaking.” Brainly offers resources and professional organizations who can help in the Safety Center.
Everyone at school can help make a change. GLSEN provides lesson plans on bullying, bias, and diversity that teachers can use to help educate their students, among other types of resources. If a student uses a homophobic word or expression, it’s important for a teacher or adult to let them know that such speech is unacceptable.
5. Look up resources
Are you ready to make a change? If so, there are tons of professionally-written online resources designed to help with fostering diversity & inclusion. There are also e-learning platforms that provide courses, and they often include a month-long free trial.
Another great resource is nonprofit organizations, especially those of which are organized in your city or town. They can provide educational resources, provide advice, or simply sit down to talk about their work. Think globally and act locally!
Have you ever started an initiative focused on Inclusion and Belonging for the LGBTQIA+ community? Or are you looking for other ways to make your school a more inclusive environment for everyone? Head to Brainly’s Instagram and let us know in the comments — maybe your experiences can provide insights for someone else!
Let’s celebrate diversity with PRIDE!
About the author
William Gonçalves Braido is a Data Labeling Senior Specialist at Brainly and is a member of PRISM, Brainly’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group.
This originally was published in Brainly and is reprinted with permission.
