Tobin Bakkedahl Professional School Counselor October 2013

 Provide knowledge, practical application and resources to educators who work with the LGBTQIA community.  Lesbian  Gay  Bisexual  Transgender  Questioning  Intersexed  Allies

 What do you think caused your heterosexuality?  When and how did you first decide you were heterosexual?  Could it be a phase and you will grow out of it?  If you have never had an intimate relationship with the same sex how do you know you wouldn’t prefer it?  Who have you told? How did they react?  Why are you always flaunting your heterosexuality?  Most child molesters are heterosexual men, is it safe to expose your children to these people?

 9 million Americans self-identify as LGBT  (The Williams Institute, 2011)  Attended Supporting Students, Saving Lives Conference in February  Unwelcoming educational environments  Uncomfortable topic for educators  Support educators in systemic change  National recognition vs. local districts  DOMA

 10% identify or have important LGBT people in their lives  4 times more likely to attempt suicide  8 times more likely to attempt suicide with highly rejecting families  62%-89% frequently heard derogatory remarks at school  61% felt unsafe at school because of orientation  20% to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT 

 Not well understood  Greater acceptance of biological vs. choice  Reparative or conversion therapy  Ineffective  Potentially harmful  Not a result of trauma or abuse  Existence around the world and throughout time  Identification of the community is a modern development

 1. Identity Confusion  2. Identity Comparison  3. Identity Tolerance  4. Identity Acceptance  5. Identity Pride  6. Identity Synthesis

 How do you validate/mirror something you can’t see?

 Heterosexism  Limited validation of identity, values, challenges  Validation and mirroring Important in self esteem Self-identity  Disassociation is effect of targeted trauma  Compounded when LGBT person of color  Internalized Homophobia  Denial, self hate, dislike of same sex attraction  Contaminates identify formation  How might you recognize this?

 Self-Disclosure  Come out or identify  Null-Environment  Talk!  Educate  Heteronormativity  “Normal” social activity, modern shift  Heterosexual roles romanticized vs. sexualized  Heterosexism  Superiority  Rights and privileges denied  Oppression  Orientation doesn’t cause depression, homophobia does.

 Welcoming, safe, and inclusive school climate  Encourage policies that include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression  Establish a Gay Straight Club (GSA)  Develop comprehensive staff development  Free from  Include LGBT people and topics in curriculum  In-depth training for specialty staff  Unlock key LGBT websites from firewall

 Be a visible ally and identify other allies   Human Rights Campaign  Identify outside school resources    Be the GSA advisor   Share relevant data with administration for PD  Include LGBT Individual/Family books in library  Use all inclusive language  Get involved in your community

 Be yourself, be sincere  Use terms the student uses  Respect confidentiality  Deal with feelings first  Be supportive  Anticipate confusion  Help but don’t force  Don’t guess  Offer to help  Be aware of depression  Use role playing for societal situations  Provide accurate sexual health information  Be informed when making referrals

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