We will be discussing issues around the LGBTQ community and how to represent the rainbow flag in your classroom.  Topics will include queer students, parents, and coworkers, inclusive language, alternative family resources, and adapting diversity into your lesson plans and environment.

1. Classroom Pride
diversity in the classroom
CB206 // 3-3:30p
•rai nb ow al lia nc e•
/ an drea & nata sh a
/

2. Please reflect silently on the
following questions...

4. • what did you think caused your heterosexuality?
• when and how did you decide you were a
heterosexual?
• do your parents know that you are straight?
your friends? your coworkers? If not, why have
you not told them??
• is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a
phase that you may grow out of?
• could you trust a heterosexual teacher?

5. ...

6. ...
• I can freely talk about my family life and important
relationships at work, school, church, etc.
• My husband/wife is welcome to attend office parties,
school dances, etc. with me.
• Our families’ and church communities are delighted
to celebrate with us the gift of love and commitment.
• The books that my children read in school reflect
families like ours.

7. what did you notice?

8. what did you notice?
this is called heteronormative, heterosexism,
heterosexual privilege

9. Agenda
• Queer • LGBT friendly
• students • lesson plans
• families • classroom
environment
• coworkers
• resources
• inclusive language

10. e rm
t
lla
b re
um

11. e rm
t
lla
b re
um
LGBTTIQQ2SAA

12. lesbian
gay
bisexual
e rm transexual
t transgendered
lla
b re intersexual
queer
um questioning
2-spirited
straight ally
asexual
autosexual
LGBTTIQQ2SAA

13. the term QUEER
lesbian
gay
bisexual
e rm transexual
t transgendered
lla
b re intersexual
queer
um questioning
2-spirited
straight ally
asexual
autosexual
LGBTTIQQ2SAA

14. being a supportive ally

15. being a supportive ally
★ note: the WLU Brantford Rainbow Alliance will be holding
Ally Workshops after reading week.

16. being a supportive ally
• begins with educating yourself, school admin,
and other staff,
• awareness building: watching educational
videos, reading info on queer educational
webpages,
• book LGBTQQ/GSA professional for workshop
• attend queer-focused workshops
• improve library resources, model inclusive
language, challenge queer stereotypes.

17. Students // G.S.A.
• Gay-Straight-Alliance
• example: Rainbow Alliance :)
• student based
• teacher advisor/mentor
• confidential space.
• no assumptions (about student or teacher
sexual orientation or gender identity)

18. Students // G.S.A. - why?
• safer schools.
• less likely to be harassed for their differences.
• more likely to have supportive adults who want
them to succeed.
• more likely to say that teachers treat them
more fairly and with greater respect.
• increased academic achievement & hope,
attendance, sense of empowerment.

19. Queer Families
• “When filling out permission slips, emergency
waivers, and financial aid forms my parents
and I have to cross out the heading ‘father’
and write in ‘mother.’”
- 18 year old daughter of lesbian moms

20. Queer Families
• you know what they say when you assume...
• be sensitive/ask about student’s backgrounds.
• visually show support (flag)
• work closely with administration:
• mother/father vs. parent/guardian
• expect & welcome queer parents at school
socials, PTA, parent-teacher night, etc.
• use inclusive language.

21. inclusive language
★ YouTube Video

22. inclusive language
★ YouTube Video

23. inclusive language
★ YouTube Video
• “when you say, that’s so gay, do you realize
what you say? knock it off”
• don’t be afraid to say this!

24. that’s so gay

25. cl
e an
inclusive language it
up
appropriate inappropriate
language & sexuality
lesbian, gay man, bisexual woman/man, homosexual, dyke, faggot, tranny, lesbo,
transgendered person, transexual person poofter, homo, lemon
partner boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife
“are you seeing someone?” “do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?”
language & gender
humans, humankind, spokesperson,
man, mankind, spokesperson, chairman,
chairperson, quality of work/skill, attend the
workmanship, man the desk/phones
desk/phones
the girls in the office, woman doctor, male
office staff, doctor, cleaner, professor
nurse, cleaning lady, female professor

26. setting a classroom tone
• Always intervene.
• Ask about a student’s background instead of
making assumptions.
• Visually show your support.
• Avoid heterosexism in your classroom and
assignments.
• Include topics about diversity in your curriculum

27. setting a classroom tone
• Never out a student with queer parents.
• Do not make assumptions about youth with
queer parents.
• Make your classroom accessible to queer
families.
• Work with your administration.
• Educate yourself.
• Be involved.

28. resources
• in your package:
Recommended Books for LGBTQ Youth
• www.GLSEN.org
• www.GLAAD.org
• www.youthline.ca
• www.gsanetwork.org
• www.egale.ca
• www.ctf-fce.ca/

29. Every individual is equal before & under the
law & has the right to equal protection &
equal benefit of the law without discrimination
&, in particular, without discrimination
based on race, national or ethic origin,
colour, religion, sex, age or mental
or physical disability.
- Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedom

30. Questions?
additional resources are available
//contact us
LBRainbowAlliance@gmail.com
WLUBrantfordRA
group page/ Laurier Brantford Rainbow Alliance!
LaurierBrantfordRainbowAlliance.wordpress.com