1. Students in the LGBTQ community
Supporting and celebrating diversity

2. Cassie Richardson MSc., RP, RMFT
Counsellor at SLC Kingston
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Marriage & Family Therapist
Positive Space Co-Creator and Facilitator

3. Students in the LGBTQ community
What is the LGBTQ community?
Is it likely there is an LGBTQ community at my school?
How might I be aware if someone is part of this community?

4. Gender Bread Person
Sam Killerman,

5. Potential challenges for students who are LGBTQ
Presumption of heteronormativity and cisgenderism
Gendered washrooms/locker rooms/residence rooms/sports teams
Name on school records
Pronoun usage
Harassment & Discrimination

6. Negative Impact
According to data compiled by the Canadian Mental Health Association (2015), LGBTQ individuals are at risk for higher rates of
Depression
Anxiety
Suicidality
Self Harm
Substance Use

7. Recognize the signs
Students in the LGBTQ community who are feeling excluded, misunderstood, misrepresented, invisible or unsafe may :
Avoid participation or dominate conversations
Have increased absences
Physically isolate themselves
Avoid making personal references
Request alternate assignments to avoid group work/presentations etc.

8. Strategies for Inclusion

9. Best Practices
Use Inclusive Language (e.g: partner, “they”, parents/caregivers)
Incorporate examples that represent the LGBTQ community
Provide an opportunity for students to identify their pronoun
Allow students to self identify to you, do not make assumptions
If a student identifies to you, do not assume it is a problem, they may just want to share with you vs access help/resources
Zero tolerance of disrespectful or inappropriate comments
Consider displaying a symbol of LGBTQ support
Demonstrate support for LGBTQ student groups on your campus

11. Benefits of Diversity in your Classroom
Increased sense of visibility and representation for students
Modelling acceptance, tolerance and appreciation for others
Improved sense of safety and comfort for students in the LGBTQ community
Decreasing the risk of several potential negative outcomes for students in the LGBTQ community
Developing a fuller understanding of course materials by utilizing a diverse range of examples

12. Students in the LGBTQ community are at higher risk for a number of concerns
Traditionally, course curriculums are not designed to be intentionally inclusive
Faculty have the power to ensure that diversity is acknowledged and incorporated in the classroom
Fostering an awareness and appreciation for diversity enriches the learning environment for everyone
Key Take Aways

13. Resources Campus Pride Index https://www.campusprideindex.org/
Rainbow Health Ontario
It’s Pronounced Metrosexual