Families Valued: Preventing Homophobia and Gender Stereotypes in our Schools

Families Valued: Preventing

Homophobia and Gender Stereotypes

in Our Schools Steve Mulligan

VSB Anti-homophobia and Diversity Consultant

TRUE OR FALSE?

“Homophobic language is the most commonly heard form of verbal bullying in secondary schools, and is the least responded to by

adults and youth.”• Warwick, I., Aggleton, P., and Douglas, N. (2001).

Playing it safe: Addressing the emotional and physical health of lesbian and gay pupils in the UK. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 129-140.

Teachers Have the Power to Build Understanding!

“Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by

education; they grow there, firm as weeds among stones.”

Charlotte Bronte

Recent ResearchHighlights of the 2008 SR Survey for VSB

secondary schools:• 11% of students identify as lesbian, gay,

bisexual, or unsure which is unchanged.• More acceptance of diversity as a composite

(race, LGBT, ability, etc)• Adult responsiveness increased for all grades• Perceived victimization and perpetration based

on sexual orientation is up, but still low.• Gay males highest by far at initiating social

responsibility initiatives.• 33.6% of students reported being called gay,

fag, lesbian, or similar, and of these 85% identify as straight.

Importance of Adult Support for LGB Youth at School

• 68% of lesbian or gay youth who reported a lack of adult support at school never or almost never felt safe at school.

• In contrast, 76% of lesbian/gay youth who perceived that adults at school were supportive reported feeling safe most or all of the time at school.

Policy and Documentation• VSB policy and experience very positive.• VSB, BCTF, BCSTA, Vancouver Principals and

VPs Associations, DPAC all support this work.• BC Ministry of Education:

- “Diversity in BC Schools: A Framework”- “Safe Caring and Orderly Schools”- “Making Space”- Social Justice teacher guide- Codes of Conduct- Social Responsibility Performance Standards- Curriculum opportunities mainly in SS, HCE, Law, and Social Justice 12

Vancouver School Board LGBT Policy Commits to:A safe and positive learning environment for

LGBTQ students & employeesStaff training, Pro-D & Counselling supportReflection in curriculum and resourcesRaise awareness and understanding of LGBT

livesCommunicate to students, staff and

community that some kids live in LGBT families & are positively recognized and included as such

Parent and LGBT community involvementAsk all schools to appoint a “Safe Contact”Encourage and support GSA’s in high schools

Teacher Consultant Role:• Chair the Pride Advisory Committee.• Support GSA clubs and GSA network.• Support Elementary Safe Contacts,

counsellors, principals and other staff.• Development/procurement of materials for

students and families in multiple languages.• Review, purchase LGBT resources.• Workshops for principals, counsellors,

teachers, and other school staff.• Work with and promote community

organizations like Gab Youth Services “Pridespeaks” and Out In Schools, including provincial PSA competition.

Want to know more?• VSB: Steve Mulligan, (604)713-5180

[email protected]

• BCTF: James Chamberlain, (604)[email protected]

• Gay & Lesbian Educators of BC: www.galebc.org and [email protected] “Challenging Homophobia Binder”

• Gay Lesbian Straight Education Networkwww.glsen.org – US National Education Org