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Creating LGBT-inclusive school climate

By Richard Tench posted 12-31-2016 16:54

  

School climate has a direct impact on both how well students learn and how they interact with their peers. We as school counselors are seated in a unique, and quite powerful position, to have a positive impact on our school climates. Consider our roles; we are sought out by teachers to aid with academic performance, administrators will consult with us about various behavioral circumstances, and students and parents frequent our office, inbox, or voicemail with a barrage of questions about their current path in school. By having direct access to nearly all stakeholders in the school we hold the power to create positive change.

 

We work diligently every day to meet the ongoing needs of our students and seek to create an inclusive environment for all but, despite our best efforts, students who are, or perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) continue to face a harsh reality. Although the statistics are improving, those students who identify as part of the LGBT community report increased harassment, both physically and verbally, and are likely to experience negative educational outcomes.

 

What do these students need? ALLIES!

 

Studies have shown that creating a supportive environment for LGBT students improves educational outcomes for all students, not only those who identify as LGBT. In a time with high political tensions both nationally and at local levels we must remember that this issue is not about politics, it is simply out supporting our students.

 

Where do we start? AWARENESS

 

Statistics show that 1 in 10 students identify as part of the LGBT community; meaning that at any given time a teacher in your building may have 2 or 3 students in each class that identifies as LGBT. One of the major issues that face both counselors and teachers in the school is that they feel as if they do not have the tools or awareness to support LGBT students in a meaningful way. In order to create an inclusive environment counselors, administrators, and teachers must feel empowered that they can build and maintain a positive, enriching environment that is welcoming to all students.

 

The following are a set of “best practices” that have been compiled to provide school counselors and leaders the knowledge to create a climate that allows the most vulnerable student to feel welcomed, safe, and valued.

 

Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (GSA)

GSAs are an excellent way to educate students about diversity and support for LGBT students. They also can be valuable resource to gauge temperature of school climate. It is also vital to mention that members of this group are made up of all supporters of the LGBT community, not only the LGBT community itself.

 

GSAs function as any other student club and cannot be subjected to any extra regulations. If your school does not currently have GSA examine your school climate and determine if there is a need within your school. Also, see if you have strong student leaders who feel this would be a benefit to your school, many times our students have the keen eye when identifying problems that we as counselors cannot see.

 

In my next blog, I will focus on how to successfully utilize GSAs to empower students, educate all stakeholders, and provide support for families within the LGBT community.

 

Inclusive Leaders and Allies

Leaders, both student and adult, who promote safe and inclusive environments are essential in creating a positive school climate, and they should be rewarded accordingly. Public praise of staff and students who actively promote an inclusive environment will affirm the staff and students that is safe to become allies to LGBT and gender-nonconforming students.

 

Consider formal recognition of staff members that go above and beyond to actively promote an inclusive school environment throughout the year. The same could be done with any student leaders that you feel have made a positive impact on the climate of your school.

 

Clothing and Dress Code

  • Enforce dress code equally. A school cannot Constitutionally forbid a male student to wear a dress if the dress is accordance with dress code.
  • Empower students to express themselves. Messages supporting LGBT rights are protected speech.

 

Proms and Other School Events

LGBT students and students who do not conform to gender norms can easily feel excluded from extra-curricular events.

  • Use gender-inclusive language on all event communications, including invitations
  • Educate event organizers about right to attend events with same-sex date and wear clothing of their choice

 

Anti-Bullying Policy

I will not spend a great deal of time writing about anti-bullying policies here because each school will have a unique wording to various policies and procedures on how to proceed if bullying or harassment is reported.

 

It is important to remember that students who identify as part of the LGBT community will be at a greater risk of bullying and sometimes will hesitate to report such events. Ensure that you have a safe place for these students to report such actions because if they know they have an ally they are more likely to report.

 

These suggestions are by far not a comprehensive list of strategies in creating an LGBT-inclusive school environment, but they will set a solid ground work to for you, your administration, and students to create a climate where all students are welcome. LGBT students need to feel safe, secure, supported, and valued at school and we as counselors can begin the change if we feel that the school climate is not meeting the needs of our students.

 

Ensure that LGBT students have a “safe place” in your school if they need that immediate support. This many come in the form us as counselors, a teacher that is an advocate and ally of the LGBT community, or even one of your school’s administrators. The more awareness that is spread the support that can be built.

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