C REATING “S AFE Z ONE ” FOR LGBT S TUDENTS Danhua Kong

S ETH ’ S STORY

T HE VOICE

Does It Matter? My father asked if I am gay I asked Does it matter? He said No not really I said Yes. He said get out of my life I guess it mattered. My boss asked if I am gay I asked Does it matter? He said No not really I told him Yes. He said you're fired faggot I guess it mattered. My friend asked if I am gay I said Does it matter? He said No not really I told him Yes. He said Don't call me your friend I guess it mattered My lover asked Do you love me? I asked Does it matter? He said Yes. I told him I love you He said Let me hold you in my arms For the first time in my life something matters. My God asked me Do you love yourself? I said Does it matter? He said YES I said How can I love myself? I am gay He said That is the way I made you Nothing will ever matter again An Anonymous high school student

W HY SHOULD WE CARE ? The issue of sexual orientation is one of personal importance to a great number of children About 1 to 3 of every 10 students is either gay or lesbian, or has an immediate family member who is. Thus, between 3 and 9 kids in every class of 30 has had some direct experience with the issues of homosexuality and homophobia Schools 'obligation to support and enhance the self-esteem of all students regardless of their sexual orientation; to provide accurate information Students suffer from homophobia at school Young people are asking respect for one another and caring about one another's feelings, regardless of differences

S TATISTICS ABOUT LGBT S TUDENTS % is gay In a public school system of more than one million, there are at least 40,000 to 100,000 gay students. Academics Twice as likely to say that they were not planning on completing high school or going on to college. The average GPA for those who were frequently physically harassed was half a grade lower than that of other students. Health—high levels of family rejection Three times more likely to use illegal drugs. 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression

S TATISTICS CONT …. Family & Shelter Half of gay males experience a negative parental reaction when they come out and 26% of those youth was thrown out of the home. 25%-- 50% of homeless youth are LGBT because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT youth are overrepresented in foster care and juvenile detention Harassment & Violence Nearly a fifth are physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression. About two-thirds reported having been sexually harassed (e.g., sexual remarks made, being touched inappropriately) in school in the past year. ---FELAG NEW YORK CITY

S TATISTICS CONT …. A comprehensive 2009 study of over 7,000 middle and high school students entitle the National School Climate Survey 9 out of 10 LGBT students reported that they had experienced harassment at their school in the past year based on their sexual orientation or gender identity Two-thirds said they felt unsafe at school because of who they are. Nearly one-third skipped at least one day of school within the previous month because of concerns for their safety Locker rooms and bathrooms being locations of particular worry for LGBT students

W HAT HAS THE GOVERNMENT DONE ? On June 15th, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education issued a ”Dear Colleague” letter to school districts across the country reminding them that students have the right under the federal Equal Access Act to form Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). GSAs are student-run extracurricular clubs that bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight students to support each other and promote tolerance, and are common in public school districts throughout the nation.

O BAMA P ROCLAIMS J UNE LGBT PRIDE MONTH O N M AY 31 “It is a story about the struggle to realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity and fairness under the law.” “…reaching out to LGBT youth who have been bullied by recording “It Gets Better” video messages to assure them they are not alone.” “NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”

U.N. H UMAN R IGHTS C OUNCIL : LGBT R IGHTS A RE H UMAN R IGHTS On June 17, U.N.'s Human Rights Council took a critical step forward for human rights by recognizing that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people around the world struggle against violence and discrimination every day and deserve protection from such abuses. On the closing day of the Council meeting in Geneva, members adopted, for the first time ever, a resolution condemning violence and discrimination against those who are LGBT. It is the first U.N. resolution to focus solely on LGBT persons.

W HAT ARE WE EXPECTED TO DO ? "I think it is important for teachers to realize the harassment that happens every day at high school. When I told one of my teachers who knew I was gay when I was leaving, he felt embarrassed and naive, as well as shocked and appalled, because he never knew that I suffered such levels of harassment." "Most of the students in the gay straight alliance identify as straight, but it's nice to know that they support me. I'm not scared being 'out' because they would defend me." "I don't know if you can really understand how I feel, but if you can, I hope you can change things so it is easier for people like me. Maybe professionals could talk to our teachers and kids to make them less homophobic, maybe then they would know I can't help how I am." ----Report of the Rhode Island Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Youth

W HAT CAN WE DO ? To be a “safe zone” To create a “safe zone”

H OW TO BE A “ SAFE ZONE ”? Believe that our school is enriched and enlivened by the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Be aware of the presence of LGBT students, faculty, and staff and be willing to engage in genuine dialogue and interaction. Be willing to discuss issues impacting LGBT people's lives in a non-judgmental manner. Know LGBT resources and be willing to refer students to support and information resources at school and in the community. Comfortably use inclusive language, avoid stereotyping, and do not assume everyone is heterosexual. Maintain confidentiality.

T O CREATE A “ SAFE ZONE ” T O CREATE A “ SAFE ZONE ” - SUGGESTIONS TO REDUCE HOMOPHOBIA

R ECOMMENDED R EADINGS Books Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian- A Literary Anthology, edited by Bennett Singer Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Jeanette Winterson Nonfiction: About Our Children, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). For parents after coming out. Coming Out to Parents, Mary V. Borhek. A guide for both gays, lesbians, bisexuals and their parents. Now That You Know, Betty Fairchild and Nancy Hayward. A book for parents dealing with their child's homosexuality. The New Loving Someone Gay, Don Clark. For friends and parents about accepting gays and lesbians. History Another Mother Tongue, Judy Grahn. Gay cultural history. Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the USA, Jonathan Katz Making History- The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Equal Rights, Eric Marcus.