LGBTQ issues in the classroom

Objectives Discuss why this is an education issue Define the role of the teacher in LGBTQ issues Define what is and what isn’t our responsibility as teachers in reference to LGBTQ acceptance Learn about successful conflict resolution skills when dealing with LGBTQ intolerance Discuss transgender issues

Brief history LGBTQ progress has been a bottom-up social movement that has seen a difficult transformation over the years. In 1994, Bill 167 sought to provide civil union rights for same sex couples. After public opinion mounted before the second reading, the more controversial provisions were dropped (including adoption rights) and it was still defeated. Same sex marriage became legal in 2005. LGBTQ issues has not seen much attention in the classroom because of a lack of resources. Now the ATA readily has multiple resources online to use

questions A teacher at a Catholic school addresses LGBTQ issues in the classroom. Can she be fired for this? Are teachers correct in thinking/saying that there is no LGBTQ representation in their classroom, so they don’t need to address it? Can parents pull their children out of schools when LGBTQ issues are being addressed? Does this issue need to be addressed in elementary schools? BONUS: Are LGBTQ issues are a part of the Alberta curriculum?

LGBTQ Issues in the classroom Ways to respond productively to parental issues: I understand your point Thanks for letting me know I’m sorry you feel that way I appreciate you sharing your point of view In dealing with angry parents, it is important to emphasize that the school is an inclusive environment that aims to teach tolerance. Whether it be on issues of race, religion, sexuality, etc. the school promotes respectful behaviours, even when it is against their personal belief. Following the most recent information we found online, Bill 44 & Bill 10 allow parents to remove their children from the classroom when LGBTQ issues are being explicitly addressed Teachers must notify parents when they are discussing these issues

LGBTQ Issues in the classroom Conflicts between students on opposite sides of the spectrum can be handled several ways While sending them to the principal/guidance counsellors office can be a short term solution, the only real way to move forward and ensure this doesn’t remain an issue outside of the classroom, is to teach tolerance It is the duty of the teacher to provide a safe and accepting environment for all of its students, free of prejudice and discrimination Whether you teach a lesson on tolerance in general, or more specifically aimed towards LGBTQ tolerance, this is a vital part of inclusive education

Creating safe, caring environments Create and specify clear policies and rules of conduct Adapt curriculum Provide staff training

Lgbtq progress: what’s next? The passing of Bill 10 in Alberta, allowing Gay-Straight Alliances within schools when they are requested, was a great step in the right direction, but there are still a number of controversial issues surrounding the LGBTQ community. Bill 10 added gender identity and gender expression to the Alberta Bill of Rights Bill 7 (passed in 2015) makes discrimination against gender identity and gender expression prohibited Transgender bathrooms: Transgender individuals can use the bathroom of the gender that they identify with

activity Get into groups of 4 and discuss the following: Determine your stance on transgender bathrooms. Do you think it is important to implement them in elementary schools, high schools, both, or neither? Would you advocate to implement a third bathroom, specifically gender neutral?

Pros and cons OF TRANSGENDER BATHROOMS CONS/FEARS PROS Worries of misuse of policy Inclusion Not enough representation to make it an issue. There are approximately 200,000 transgender individuals in Canada Allowance of ‘predators’ into girls’ bathrooms. Police and school officials have not seen a rise in predators. Comfortability of students Comfortability of students can be easily fixed with more private bathroom stalls.

closure One of the most difficult issues with teaching LGBTQ in the past was the lack of resources and policies regarding the issue. Now, the ATA has an abundance of information available. Emotions run high around this issue, which can lead to conflict when parent’s disapprove of the inclusion of the topic, and also between students. More issues continue to arise every day, for example, transgender bathrooms. In conclusion, LGBTQ issues can create lots of conflict but as teachers it is our job to provide a safe learning environment in which acceptance isn’t withheld from anyone, even though moving forward can feel like wading through murky waters.

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