Anti-LGBT Discrimination in Education, from Preschool On
A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) highlights anti-LGBT discrimination in education, from preschool through college.
Schools/Education
For LGBT Students, School Is Often Still Hostile, but Getting Better
LGBT students in the United States report high levels of victimization and discrimination, although things are slowly getting better, according to a new report.
12-Year-Old with Two Moms Makes Film About Bullying
Gerry Orz is a 12-year-old living with his two moms and older brother. He’s just made a short film about a boy with two moms who is bullied by a classmate — a reflection of his own experience. This is the second such film he’s made — the first was when he was only nine! Watch a trailer and learn more about his ongoing activism.
Spirit Day: Can a Color Stop a Bully?
Today is Spirit Day, a time to take a stand against bullying and show support for LGBTQ youth. Not all LGBTQ youth are bullied, of course, and not all victims of bullies are LGBTQ — but anti-LGBTQ harassment is still pervasive, even if things are slowly getting better.
A Gay-Straight Alliance in Middle School? Yes!
This fall, my son started middle school, that land of greater independence, the beginnings of puberty, and a bigger and not necessarily all LGBT-friendly student population. I was therefore thrilled to see that LGBT legal advocacy group GLAD has launched a new campaign to encourage the creation of more gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in middle schools.
Back-to-School ABCs for LGBTQs
My son is about to start middle school. I’m excited to shop for school supplies with him and thrilled that he’s growing and learning — but like many parents, I also wonder what the school year will have in store for him.
Back-to-School Resources for LGBTQ Parents
This is the time of year when I look at the calendar and put a pillow over my head. The start of school can’t be just around the corner. Any parent of school-age children may feel similarly, but we LGBTQ parents may feel extra pressure not knowing if our children’s teachers and classmates will be welcoming to our families. Here are some resources that may help you work constructively with schools and teachers in the year ahead.
The Children’s Film with Same-Sex Parents That Robin Williams Helped Launch
Among the little-known deeds of comedian Robin Williams, mourned by many of us this week, is that he helped launch a groundbreaking children’s film that included same-sex parents.
Another School Shooting: When Will We Have Had Enough?
My thoughts go out today to the community of Troutdale, Oregon, where a student and a suspected shooter are both dead after the later opened fire at Reynolds High School. When 27 people died after a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut two years ago, ABC News reported that there had been 31 school shootings since the one in Columbine, Colorado in 1999. Now, we learn that there have been 74 school shootings since Newtown. How many is too many?
An Open Letter of Appreciation to LGBTQ-Friendly Teachers
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, so here’s an open letter to all of the many LGBTQ-inclusive and welcoming teachers out there.
