Gay Friendly or Gay Phobic: What Are You Creating? Douglas Williamson International School Bangkok

Video clip courtesy of “60 Minutes: Gay or Straight?” (March 2006)

Definition of Terms Lesbian: A woman who is sexually attracted to other women. Gay: a man who is sexually attracted to other men. Bisexual: a person who is sexually attracted to both men and women. Transgender: an individual who does not identify with their birth-assigned sex. dictionary.cambridge.org and

And... Sexual orientation: the structure of our romantic, sexual, emotional attraction, i.e., gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Gender identity: an individual’s inner sense of self as “masculine” or “feminine.” Gender role: socially determined sets of behavior (i.e., “masculine” or “feminine”) assigned to people based on their biological sex (i.e., male or female).

Who Are We Talking About? Gay males report becoming aware of “being different” between ages 5-7, but do not connect this feeling to sexuality. The median age at which gay and lesbian youth become aware the feelings of “difference” are linked to same-sex sexual orientation is age 13. 9% of high school students identify as “gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning.”

Why Are We Talking? 2005 National School Climate Survey polled over 3,400 US students aged and over 1,000 secondary students. Results found: –62% of teens have been verbally or physically harassed or assaulted in the past year. –90% of LGBT teens have been harassed or assaulted in the past year. –The most common reason cited is a student’s appearance (40%). –The second most common reported reason is perceived or actual sexual orientation (33%) National School Climate Survey

Further Results –75% of students have heard derogatory remarks such as “faggot” or “dyke” frequently or often at school. –89% have heard “That’s so gay” or “You’re so gay” frequently or often. –LGBT students are five times more likely to have skipped school in the past month. –LGBT students who are frequently harassed are twice as likely not to go to college. –7% of non-LGBT students do not feel safe at school. –22% of LGBT students do not feel safe at school National School Climate Survey

Further Results –57% of students never report to a teacher or school personnel. –10% say it is because they feel teachers or staff do not do anything or are powerless to improve the situation. –67% of LGBT students do not report. –23% of the LGBT students do not report because they feel teachers/staff will do nothing or are powerless National School Climate Survey

Table Activity 1 Introduce yourself and discuss in round table format: –What are your thoughts and reactions in regard to these statistics? To the video? –Would these US statistics be the same in an international setting? –What would the statistics be at your school?

Where Do Teachers Stand? 53% of students hear homophobic remarks from school staff. 97% of teachers fail to intervene when they hear anti- gay slurs. Less than 20% of counselors have received any training on serving LGBT students. 78% of administrators say they know of no LGBT students in their schools, yet 94% of them say their schools are safe places for these students. Sears, James. Educators, Homosexuality, and Homosexual Students. 1992

Table Activity 2 Use the paper and markers at your table to list what policies and practices you have in place to safeguard LGBT students/faculty or to raise awareness of such issues. Consider bullying policies, discrimination policies, curriculum, classroom literature, library resources, Gay and Lesbian Student Alliances, etc.

What Are International Schools Doing? In an survey of 22 international school counselors, results found: –15 schools had a bullying policy but only 5 specifically mentioned sexual orientation. –9 schools had gay/lesbian issues as part of their curriculum. –1 school had a Gay-Straight Alliance. –8 schools had a clearly stated antidiscrimination policy in their faculty handbooks and/or contracts but it did not always include sexual orientation. –6 schools offered benefits for same-sex partners of teachers.

What Can Teachers Do? Challenge homophobic remarks and address misconceptions. Treat such persistent remarks as bullying. Make no assumptions about sexuality; let students label themselves. Examine posters, materials, and resources in your classroom.

What Can Teachers Do? If you cannot be supportive, refer to someone who can be. Respect confidentiality. Use inclusive language (parent vs. mother/father, date vs. boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse vs. husband/wife.) Role model acceptance.

What Can Schools Do? Create bullying policies that include sexual orientation. –85% of US secondary school teachers agree they have an obligation to provide a safe learning environment for LGBT students. –73% strongly endorse this view. –71% believe anti-harassment and antidiscrimination policies would help. –Schools with a comprehensive policy specifically mentioning sexual orientation had more students feeling safe (95%), fewer students reporting harassment, and more faculty intervening National School Climate Survey

Schools Can Also... Draft antidiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and promote such acceptance at job hiring fairs. Conduct staff and parent training on awareness of LGBT student issues. Become aware of community resources/agencies. Incorporate gay/lesbian issues into your curriculum. Review library circulation to ensure materials are available to students. Support students and faculty who come out. Be inclusive in regard to same-sex spouses. Participate in No Name-Calling Week.

Do You Hire Teachers From... Gay Marriage –The Netherlands –Belgium –Canada –Spain –Massachusetts, USA Civil Union or Registered Partnership –Denmark –Norway –Sweden –Iceland –France –Germany –Finland –Luxembourg –New Zealand –Britain –Vermont, Connecticut, Oregon, New Hampshire (USA)

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Video clip courtesy of “60 Minutes: Gay or Straight?” (March 2006)

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. ~Harvey Fierstein, actor Closing Thought