GENDER & SEXUAL ORIENTATION GOLLNICK AND CHINN

WEB RESOURCES GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network From the website: “GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students.” Safe Schools for GLBT Students Creating Safe Schools for Lesbian and Gay Students: A resource guide for school staff. This may be a useful guide to make available to your students to consider when designing effective school programs for GLBT youth.

WEB RESOURCES Website for parents, families, and friends of lesbians and gays includes resources for teachers, including tools for creating safe schools. It Gets Better project: videos from over 10,000 people that may be helpful to students.

CONCEPTS OF IMPORTANCE Concept 1: Males and females (boys and girls) differ physiologically and culturally. Sex is biologically determined, gender is culturally determined through socialization

CONCEPTS OF IMPORTANCE Concept 2: Sexual orientation is a controversial topic in U.S. society, and is often at the root of discrimination and harassment of students and people

CONCEPTS OF IMPORTANCE Concept 3: In schools, harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students is rampant. Although educators are entitled to their own personal beliefs about homosexuality and sexual orientation, they have the professional responsibility to ensure that all students are safe and respected

CONCEPTS OF IMPORTANCE Concept 4: Gender discrimination and sexism in U.S. society, institutions, and schools has been the topic of much struggle and legal action for over 150 years

CONCEPTS OF IMPORTANCE Concept 5: Schools can increase opportunities for girls by incorporating nonsexist curricula and ensuring equal access to all courses and programs; offering women’s studies programs; and by actively supporting equity through nonsexist and nondiscriminatory education