Addressing LGBTQ Issues in St. Albert Protestant Schools Joe Demko & Joni Turville November 26, 2005 AGAPE Conference

Proactive Approach Knew that we needed to give district leaders, teachers, counselors and other school staff important information, as well as the time and space to discuss concerns. Devised a series of steps to address needs.

Steps Taken: Awareness session for school administrators Awareness session for board committee Presentation at a public board meeting Two half-day sessions conducted for school counselors and teachers Distributed Safe Spaces materials to all schools

Results Supportive local press coverage Support from and collaboration with Supervisor of Student Services Pre/Post Surveys conducted at second workshop (ATA Workshop “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”)

Workshop Structure Parking lot establishment Surveying of school environment Exploring definitions Health and safety concerns What can our school do? Resources

Survey Results Question Pre (n=15) Post (n=12) How familiar are you with LGBTQ issues in schools? 0 % - Very familiar 13% - Familiar 47% - Somewhat familiar 40% - Not Familiar 0% - Very familiar 67% - Familiar 33% - Somewhat familiar 0% - Not Familiar How aware of you of the health and safety issues for LGBTQ students? 0% - Very aware 6% - Aware 67% - Somewhat aware 27% - Not aware 8% - Very aware 75% - Aware 17% - Somewhat aware 0% - Not aware

Survey Results Question Pre (n=15) Post (n=12) How aware are you of the policies and legislations with regard to LGBT students? 0% - Very aware 7% - Aware 20% - Somewhat aware 73% - Not aware 17% - Very aware 50% - Aware 33% - Somewhat aware 0% - Not aware How familiar are you with ways LGBTQ students can be supported in schools? 0% - Very familiar 0% - Familiar 47% - Somewhat familiar 53% - Not Familiar 42% - Familiar 58% - Somewhat familiar 0% - Not Familiar

Survey Results Question Pre (n=15) Post (n=12) How aware are you of resources that are available to support LGBTQ students? 0% - Very aware 0% - Aware 27% - Somewhat aware 73% - Not aware 8% - Very aware 50% - Aware 42% - Somewhat aware 0% - Not aware

Participant Comments This is a very important topic. I would love a follow up – kids speaking to use – what would they like teachers to have done in elementary, junior high, high school. I appreciate the information and definitions. Thanks, very interesting. Would like to share some aspects of this workshops at staff meeting.

Participant Comments Resources need to be developed to support teachers in these issues. More weight on policies/legislations. Great start, however more information and education is needed. I’m really glad I volunteered to represent our school because I learned a lot about the issues regarding LGBT students. Fantastic presentation – great eats!

Resources Safe Spaces Initiative from ATA and SACSC Guidebooks available through The Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities (www.sacsc.ca) Linking to other work and curriculum areas such as the new Social Studies Curriculum. Interfaith Video – (www.ibelievein.ca )