Geoff Argue

1. TIM KRYSKO Geoff Argue THEHOMOPHOBIA PROJECT MELISSA ERIN ALBLAS JOCE MCINTYRE TIM NICOLAS TANG ANITA CAI KAMAL PARBHAKAR .

2. What is Homophobia? • Irrational fear of, aversion to or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals (Wikipedia). • There are many levels and forms of homophobia • Cultural/Institutional • Personal • Interpersonal • Internalized

3. Homophobia in Schools • 82% of youth reported that students made homophobic remarks at school. • 28% of youth said that their teachers sometimes / often made homophobic remarks. (Being Out: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Youth in BC: An adolescent Health Study, The McCreary Report (1999))

4. Homophobia in Schools Key Findings of the 2005 National School Climate Survey include: The Scope of the Problem: • 75. 4% of students heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or often at school, and nearly nine out of ten (89.2%) reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless- frequently or often. • Over a third (37.8%) of students experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a quarter (26.1%) on the basis of their gender expression. Nearly one-fifth (17.6%) of students had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth (11.8%) because of their gender expression

5. Homophobia The Taboo Topic • Educators often avoid honest and accurate discussions primarily because of personal discomfort and fear • Fear stems from: -a lack of knowledge - fear of parent reactions - worries about administrative concern or lack of concern - worries that discussing relationship dynamics means talking about ‘gay sex’ at school - religious and/or moral objections of parents or the community

6. Homophobia in Schools • A new high school course which was officially introduced into the provincial curriculum this year. • Designed to promote tolerance and diversity be introducing students to concepts such as homophobia, hetrosexism and cultural imperialism.

7. Why Should We Care About Homophobia? "I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to look back [at homophobic people] the same way we look at photos of white people screaming at African Americans attempting to integrate the schools. And just feel revulsion and shame. You look at those pictures of people who were opposed to racial integration today and you think: How was it possible to feel that way? Much less to feel so confident that everyone on earth shared your point of view that you would turn up in a newspaper photo, or sick a police dog, or turn a fire hose on peaceful protestors. I hope one day we look back and that’s how we’ll regard Bush’s press conference. But you know it was illegal to kill Jews in Germany in the ’20s and it wasn’t in the ’30s. Shit can get much much worse before it gets better." - Dan Savage, 6/21/06. http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/?p=211

8. THE KINSEY SCALE “It is a characteristic of the human mind that tries to dichotomize in its classification of phenomena…. Sexual behavior is either normal or abnormal, socially acceptable or unacceptable, heterosexual or homosexual; and many persons do not want to believe that there are gradations in these matters from one to the other extreme.” Credit:Kinsey, Alfred C. et al. (1953/1998). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; Bloomington: Indiana U. Press.

9. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education • BC Ministry of Education No specific policy in regards to LGBT youth and issues

10. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education • School Districts: Only six SD’s have policies in regards to LGBT youth and issues: Southeast Kootenay (SD 5), Vancouver (SD 39), North Vancouver (SD 44), Prince Rupert (SD 52), Victoria (SD 61), and the Gulf Islands (SD 64)

11. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education • Resources: http://www.galebc.org/main.htm - Gay and Lesbian Educators of BC http://bctf.ca/SocialJustice.aspx?id=6106 - BC Teachers' Federation

12. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #1:Teaching about homosexuality in schools condones the lifestyle • No distinct LGBT “lifestyle” • Teacher’s role • Age appropriate

13. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #2:Teaching about homosexuality in schools involves talking about gay sex. • No discussion of sex or sexual practice (with exceptions) • Use history, stories, oppression, etc.

14. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #3:LGBT teachers have a gay agenda for public schools by introducing LGBT topics. • Harassment and discrimination • Antiracism and multicultural education • “You do not have to be a person of color to care about racism. Similarly, you do not have to be LGBT to fight homophobia in schools or society at large.”

15. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #4:Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (GSAs) in high schools are a way to recruit students and encourage them to experiment with being gay or lesbian. • Choice • GSAs are used to help students come together

16. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #5:Students will become sexually active and/or promiscuous if they hear about LGBT issues at school. • Already sexually active • Lack of information can harm • Occurs when students are not properly informed

17. Facts and Myths about Anti-Homophobia Education Myth #6:LGBT issues are not part of the curriculum; some schools are just making this up • Health and Career Education and Personal Planning include references to sexual orientation, discrimination and sexual health • Social Studies includes curriculum on families, Canadian society, and human rights

18. Anti-Homophobia Education is… • Inclusive of all members of our school communities and of diversity • Respectful of differences and the BC Human Rights Act • Mindful that harassment and discrimination are present and that silence around certain topics can be a form of discrimination • Optimistic that a better school environment is possible for everyone!

19. Anti-Homophobia Education looks like… • Schools where all members are accepted and open • Acknowledgement and respect for diverse family models • We speak out against injustice and inequity • Youths take a lead on concerns that are important to them • Support is accessible