Why Representation in the Classroom Is Crucial in Keeping Our LGBTQ+ Students Safe
It’s Pride Month! Parents may be wondering if our schools are covering LGBTQIA+ content and if so, why? Why is it necessary for educators to cover this information? For our students, it’s a matter of safety.
An educator's number one job is to make our students feel safe. The research is clear: children can’t learn if they feel unsafe. A school’s top priority is to create an environment that is safe and conducive to learning for ALL of our students. Teaching LGBTQIA+ content is keeping our children safe.
45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
This statistic comes from The Trevor Project, an organization providing life-saving support to LGBTQ young people. Their 2022 national survey on LGBTQ youth mental health captured the experience of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ children in the US. Not surprisingly, students who lived in a supportive community and attended a school that was LGBTQ-affirming reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking 491 anti-LGBTQ bills in the US. The Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ people in the U.S. Our young LGBTQ children are under attack. It’s our job to keep children safe and we have to do more.
There are tons of age-appropriate books designed specifically for elementary school children. Topics include family diversity, gender, LGBTQIA+ history and anti-bullying. Are these books or topics really appropriate for elementary school students? Absolutely. It’s never too early to practice love, acceptance, safety, and inclusion.
Here is a sample elementary school lesson that I covered with my students, Kindergarten to Grade 2, in case you’re wondering how this information could be presented to a young student.
If this conversation feels out of your comfort zone as a parent or educator, that’s understandable. I encourage you to take baby steps to expand your understanding. It’s helpful to remember the goal: to keep our children safe.
Actions steps for this week:
Visit the ACLU and click on the map to see which anti-LGBTQ+ bills are happening in your state.
Visit the Human Rights Campaign for donations and resources.
Additional resource for educators here.
If there’s something you can add to this conversation, please let me know in the comments. If you feel that I’ve got something wrong or missed something, please respond with curiosity and kindness. I’m always open to respectful feedback.
