LGBT 101: High School Social Studies Teachers

1. LGBT 101: High School Social Studies Teachers Beth Josephson Guidance Counselor Okemos High School beth.josephson@okemosschools.net

2. WHY AM I HERE? To make school a safe place for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Students cannot learn in a classroom environment if their emotional health is poor and they feel unsafe.

3. LGBTQ YOUTH • 88.9% of students heard “gay” used in a negative way (e.g., “that’s so gay”) frequently or often at school, and 86.5%reported that they felt distressed to some degree by this language. • 72.4% heard other homophobic remarks (e.g., “dyke” or “faggot”) frequently or often at school. • 61.1% felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and 39.9% because of how they expressed their gender. • 84.6% were verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened) at school because of their sexual orientation and 63.7% because of their gender expression. • 62.4% of students who were harassed or assaulted in school did not report the incident to school staff, believing little to no action would be taken or the situation. -GLSEN 2009 Climate Survey

4. LGBT YOUTH • Students were 3+ times likelier to have missed classes (29.1% vs. 8.0%) and 4+ times likelier to have missed at least one day of school (30.0% vs. 6.7%) in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable, when compared to the general population of secondary school students. • Students were 3 times as likely to have missed school in the past month if they had experienced high levels of victimization related to their sexual orientation (57.7% vs. 18.0%) or gender expression (54.3% vs. 19.9%). • LGBT students who were more frequently harassed because of their sexual orientationor gender expression had grade point averages almost half a grade lower than for students who were less often harassed (2.7 vs. 3.1). • LGBT students were more likely to report that they did not plan to pursue any type of post-secondary education (obtaining a high school diploma only or not finishing high school) than a national sample of students (9.9% vs. 6.6%). -GLSEN 2009 Climate Survey

5. MSU LGBT Resource Center The LBGT Resource Center* leads & collaborates on university-wide initiatives that enhance campus climate & academic & support services for MSU students who identify as lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender & their communities, at Michigan State University. We serve the entire campus community by helping all students, faculty & staff thrive in a diverse world by developing allies across difference. We believe the primary purpose of higher education is to unlock students’ unlimited possibilities, & that our collective efforts will further this end. We believe support of LBGT students & communities must be done in a multicultural, social justice context, honoring the many identities of students. Sexuality and Gender 101 MSU LGBTQ Resource Center

6. Safe Zone Training What is it and why should I get trained?

7. Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)GLSEN RESOURCES GLSEN works with educators, policy makers, community leaders and students on the urgent need to address anti-LGBT behavior and bias in schools. GLSEN strives to protect students from bullying and harassment, to advance comprehensive safe schools laws and policies, to empower principals to make their schools safer, and to build the skills of educators to teach respect for all people.

8. OHS- ALLY WEEK, LGBT HISTORY MONTH, THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

9. GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student-led clubs, usually in middle schools or high schools, that work to address anti-LGBT name-calling and promote respect for ALL students. The first GSA was started at the school where GLSEN's founder was a teacher.

10. Okemos High School GSA Poster Campaign

11. GLSEN RESOURCE

12. HRC seeks to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans. Equality Michigan works to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We’re also a touch point for events, organizations, and information that are of interest to the community. We are a professional, active resource for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied community members. Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

13. Statewide School Laws & Policies Many states explicitly address discrimination, harassment and/or bullying of elementary and high school students, though not all are LGBT inclusive. These protections can be in the form of statutory law, regulation or ethical codes of conduct for teachers. The states that explicitly address these issues for LGBT students are as follows. States with law that addresses discrimination, harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (16 states and D.C.)BLUE STATES Arkansas (2011), California (2002), Colorado (2008), Connecticut (2001/2011), District of Columbia (2001), Illinois (2010), Iowa (2007), Maine (2005), Maryland (2008), Minnesota (1993), New Hampshire (2010), New Jersey (2002), New York (2010), North Carolina (2009), Vermont (2001/2007), Washington (2002/2009) and Oregon (2007). States with law that addresses discrimination, harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation. (17 states and D.C.) TEAL STATES In addition to those listed above, Massachusetts (2002) and Wisconsin (2001). * Regulations and Ethical Codes of Conduct: States with school regulation or ethical code for teachers that addresses discrimination, harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation. (4 states) Hawaii, New Mexico (regulation), Pennsylvania (regulation) and Utah (code of ethics). ** Policies/No Categories: States that prohibit bullying in schools but list no categories of protection. (22 states) Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, -HRC- July 11, 2011

14. Statewide Employment Laws & Policies States that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (16 states and D.C.) California (1992, 2003), Colorado (2007), Connecticut (1991/2011), District of Columbia (1977, 2006), Hawaii (2011), Illinois (2006), Iowa (2007), Massachusetts (1989, 2011), Maine (2005), Minnesota (1993), New Jersey (1992, 2007), New Mexico (2003), Nevada (1999, 2011), Oregon (Jan. 2008), Rhode Island (1995, 2001), Vermont (1991, 2007) and Washington (2006). State courts, commissions, agencies, or attorney general have interpreted the existing law to include some protection against discrimination against transgender individuals in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and New York. States that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. (21 states and D.C.) In addition to the same states above–Delaware (2009), Maryland (2001), New Hampshire(1998), New York (2003), and Wisconsin (1982). Laws and Policies Covering Public Employees Only: The laws referenced above apply to public and private employers (with some limitations) in the respective states. Additionally, there are 9 states (*) that have an executive order, administrative order or personnel regulation prohibiting discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity and 3 states (**) prohibit discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation only (Missouri order only covers executive branch employees). In 22 states and the District of Columbia ( ) state employees are provided with domestic partner benefits. - HRC Nov, 29, 2011

15. How to make your classroom a safe space? • Rainbow flag magnet, poster, etc… • Safe Zone sticker/poster • Inclusive curriculum for • Holocaust- Pink Triangle • Day of Silence • Amendments- Ex. Freedom of Speech • Harvey Milk • Stonewall Riots • Matthew Shepard • Use Inclusive Language • Parent or Guardian • Partner in referring to a prospective date • If using role-plays use ambiguous names • Positively address stereotypes and misconceptions • Debunk myths and stereotypes

16. SAFE SCHOOL COALITION Safe School Coalition Home Page • RESOURCES & LESSON PLANS FOR TEACHERS

17. Trevor Project The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

18. Posted in a majority of classroomsin Okemos High School

19. OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL Non-Discrimination (employees) It is the policy of the Okemos Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, national origin, disability or race in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title IX and Title IV of the 1972 Education Amendments. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX and Title IV may be directed to the Superintendent of Schools at 4406 N. Okemos Road, Okemos, Michigan 48864, (Telephone: 349-9460) or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

20. OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL • Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation (students) Any gesture or written, verbal, graphic or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts) that a reasonable person, should know may have the effect of harming a student or damaging the student’s property, placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or damage to the student’s property, insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school’s educational mission or the education of any student. Bullying, harassment or intimidation includes, but is not limited to, such a gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that is reasonably perceived as motivated by a student’s religion, race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression disability, height, weight, socioeconomic status, or by any other distinguishing characteristic including racial and ethnic slurs. • Conference, Suspension (1-10 days). • Possible expulsion in serious cases. • Inform local police in serious cases.