National School Reform Faculty

Gay/Straight Alliances
Date: December 13-14, 2004
Listserv: Coaches

Monday, December 13, 2004 2:16 PM
Hi Everyone,
On Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to attend a high school mixer that was sponsored by the Mazzoni Center here in Philadelphia. The Center works in support of LGBT health and wellbeing and has a website that I thought might be of use in our efforts to promote respect and equity in our schools. Here’s the link: www.mazzonicenter.org

I also wanted to share the “15 second response” that Danny Horn, the center’s Education Director, advocates we use whenever we hear a slur or an insult. Here it is:

“I want to remind you that (that word or insult) is insulting to gay, lesbian and/or transpeople, and that we have some of these folks here in our school. That word makes them feel unsafe and unwelcome, and it’s important to me that everyone feels welcome here. Don’t use that word anymore.”

The 15-second response aims to change immediate behavior and open the door to more extensive conversations and changes in attitude.

Both high schools I work with in Philadelphia have Gay-Straight Alliances and I think the student bodies are getting the message. I think our focus now needs to be on sensitivity training for adults. Do any of you have resources to suggest for this purpose?
Thanks,
Debbie, PA

Monday, December 13, 2004 9:04 PM
Hi Debbie,
Danny came and did a presentation/workshop at AMY that I thought was important and effective. It did make some people uncomfortable as gauged by their body language and mumbled rumblings. Nonetheless, the 15-second response was introduced and used by many of us. I should have done more follow-ups with more presentations and conversations. How are you doing? Any plans for the holidays?
Holly, PA

Monday, December 13, 2004 9:34 PM
Debbie et. al.,

First place to look is GLSEN.org
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is working to ensure safe and effective schools for all students.
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/about/index.html

They founded and support GSA’s in K-12 education. They have resources as well as ways to connect with other GSA’s around the country. They also have a collection of resources described here:

More than 1,000 resources are currently maintained in the GLSEN Library. To find a resource that meets your needs, click on one of the resource categories above. Here's a brief description of what you'll find under each resource category tab:

Know The Issues: Find surveys, stories, news items and other resources that explore why GLSEN is here in the first place.

Changing Schools: Tools available to help ensure safe schools.

Policy & Law: Resources related to GLSEN's Public Policy Platform and positions, along with ongoing legal and political battles around the country.

Curriculum: Lesson Plans and Curriculae for the classroom.

Training: Tools to assist with local organizing.

Additional Items: Our "other" category for resources that may not fit quite so neatly into one of the above categories.

We have had GLSEN speak during an Inservice day catching people’s attention with simple statistics about gay teen suicide rates and working toward discussions about how to respond to both gay and straight kids, as well as local resources. I also lead a parent-teacher discussion about gay teens at risk. I used a couple of short videos, which really got people talking. Crefeld’s current GSA faculty sponsor is Jeff Darcy - jdarcy@crefeld.org.

This first book is for your high school and middle school libraries. It’s hard to find books at the young adult reading level, which are not overly sexual or overly-drug-involved. This is the best I have found. Crefeld is creating quite a collection in its school library (all screened by at least two teachers) for those who are brave and interested. (I say brave because I was forced out of my school primarily for pushing GLBTQ issues. Not fun. Protect yourselves.)

Geography Club
by Brent Hartinger

I also have a few texts that we have used, which can be purchased through Amazon (not my favorite place to shop) or sometimes, if you are willing to wade through all of the “erotica,” TLAvideo. I am only personally familiar with the first few.

Queer Kids: The Challenges and Promise for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth
by Robert E. Owens (Paperback - May 1, 1998)

One Teacher in 10: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories
by Kevin Jennings (Paperback - September 1, 1994)

Black Like Us: A Century of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual African American Fiction
by Devon W. Carbado, et al (Paperback - May 1, 2002)

Understanding Sexual Identity: A Book for Gay and Lesbian Teens and Their Friends
by Janice E. Rench

How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages
by Judith E. Snow (Paperback - October 1, 2004)

Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered or Questioning Son or Daughter
by Kevin Jennings, Pat Shapiro (Paperback - August 15, 2002)

Coming Out of the Classroom Closet: Gay and Lesbian Students, Teachers, and Curricula (Journal of Homosexuality Series)
by Karen M. Harbeck (Paperback - February 1, 1992)

What If Someone I Know Is Gay?: Answers to Questions About Gay and Lesbian People (Plugged in (Paperback))
by Eric Marcus (Library Binding - March 1, 2001)

Who's Who in Gay and Lesbian History: From Antiquity to World War II (Who's Who)
by Robert Aldrich, Garry Wotherspoon (Paperback - May 1, 2003)

I hope this is useful,
Michael, PA

Monday, December 13, 2004 10:29 PM
Thanks, Michael. Given the current political climate I am especially concerned that our GLBT students and colleagues know that they are supported at school.

In addition, many of the students at the mixer I attended on Friday were also students of color. I see these kids as being in double jeopardy when we consider the intersection of racism and homophobia that they encounter each day. I hope to begin having more conversations about these concerns in our schools, not just in our CFGs where it's comfortable and relatively easy, but also in the lunchroom etc. where these topics are rarely acknowledged.
Debbie, PA

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:00 AM
Great list!
I also like to recommend fiction sometimes, as a way to help people being to broaden their perspectives. A great start is this collection of short stories:
Am I blue? : coming out from the silence
edited by Marion Dane Bauer.
Imprint New York : HarperCollins, c1994

It's young adult fiction, but a good read for adults, too.
Susan, IN