Schools/Education Archives - Page 7 of 40

School Cancels Virtual Author Visit Because of Book’s Gay Character: But What Response Best Helps LGBTQ Youth During Pandemic?

May 26, 2020

Award-winning author Phil Bildner was set to do a virtual visit with a group of fourth graders this month, when the school’s parents’ association suddenly informed him that he couldn’t talk about his latest book—a middle-grade novel about a boy coming out as gay. They then canceled his event. Bildner’s response, in which he chooses not to publicly name the school, reminds us that there are many factors to consider in keeping LGBTQ youth safe—especially in a time of pandemic.

“Welcoming Schools Wednesdays” Brings Inclusive Learning to Your At-Home Time

March 25, 2020

Welcoming Schools, a project of the HRC Foundation, is now offering “Welcoming Schools Wednesdays”—a book and lesson plan for parents to use at home, based on the themes of “embracing all families, being an ally and respecting differences inclusive of LGBTQ identities.”

Family Equality Launches “The Neighborhood” to Support LGBTQ+ Families During COVID-19

March 25, 2020

Family Equality has launched The Neighborhood: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families to support all of us during these strange days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s full of activities for kids of all ages, parents, and prospective parents!

Federal Court Says South Carolina Anti-LGBTQ Curriculum Law Is Unconstitutional

March 12, 2020

A South Carolina law banning any discussion of same-sex relationships in public school health classes (except in the context of sexually transmitted diseases) is unconstitutional, a federal court said yesterday.

AMAZE - How Do Queer Couples Have Babies?

New LGBTQ-Inclusive Videos on Families, Gender, and Sexuality for Kids

February 20, 2020

Looking for LGBTQ-inclusive videos for kids on sexuality, gender, and different types of families? AMAZE has you covered—and they’ve recently added some great new ones.

Family Trees, Birds and Bees: Making Classrooms More Inclusive for All Families and Genders

February 19, 2020

Family-tree assignments given to elementary school children don’t always make room for all families. And biology classes may use language and concepts that ignore the full range of genders and relationships found in nature. Here are some ideas for more inclusive alternatives.

10 LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Books for No Name-Calling Week

January 22, 2020

It’s GLSEN’s annual No Name-Calling Week, a time dedicated to ending name-calling and bullying in schools. We parents, of course, can also have an impact on stopping such behaviors and supporting those who have been the subject of them. Here some LGBTQ-inclusive picture books that involve name calling and that may be useful for parents of young children to read and discuss with our kids.

Classroom desk - Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Substitute Teacher Fired for Homophobic Outburst in 5th-Grade Class

December 3, 2019

Just before Thanksgiving, when a fifth-grade boy in Utah shared in class that he was thankful he was going to be adopted by his two dads, the substitute teacher went on a 10-minute tirade against “homosexuality.” She has now been fired.

LGBTQ Parenting Roundup

September 19, 2019

Personal stories, political news, entertainment tidbits, and more that I haven’t covered elsewhere! A buffet for your reading pleasure!

Nonprofit Brings Hope and LGBTQ-Inclusive Books to Rural Schools

September 9, 2019

I don’t have to convince regular readers of the need for LGBTQ-inclusive books and other media in schools. That’s why I’m excited about a new project that is donating boxes of such books to rural public schools, and providing coaching and curriculum guides to help educators use them effectively.