Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (June 2011)

06/2011

LGBT youth are routinely targeted for harassment among their peers simply because of their sexual orientation. According to the 2009 National School Climate Survey, a study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 85 percent of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning (LGBTQ) students were the target of verbal harassment, 40 percent were physically harassed, and 19 percent were assaulted in the twelve months prior to the survey due to their sexual orientation. LGBTQ youth who were harassed or assaulted were more likely to report missing at least one day of school in the thirty days prior to the survey due to fears for their safety.

In order to bring more acknowledgment to this important matter Barack Obama issued a proclamation recognizing June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. Obama called upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.

In support of the goals of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, the NCTSN has compiled a list of helpful links for youth, parents and caregivers, mental health and child welfare professionals, and educators.

Page Contents:

Featured NCTSN Resources
For Educators
For Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals
For Parents and Caregivers
For Youth
Related Links

Featured NCTSN Resources

Child Sexual Abuse Speaker Series
One of the online training presentations in NCTSN’s Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma that features many experts in the field. Topics include: how to identify issues of risk, challenge, and strength specific to LGBTQ youth and young adults; how to develop strategies that balance personal beliefs with professional responsibilities; how to increase knowledge of and empathy for the unique stressors experienced by sexual- and gender-minority youth, their families, and caregivers; and how to better understand what is involved in coming out and the ways that can impact youth.

Culture and Trauma Brief (vol 1, no 2): Trauma Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning Youth (2006) (PDF)
Facts and statistics about the LGBTQ community along with treatment recommendations.

Culture and Trauma Teleconference Series: Trauma Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (Audio file/PPT)
A presentation whose objectives were to: 1) raise awareness about the degree of vulnerability to abuse and neglect that LGBTQ adolescents face; 2) discuss the stages of sexual identity development as they relate to LGBTQ youth; 3) identify barriers faced by LGBTQ adolescents in coming to terms with their sexuality; and 4) provide concrete interventions that can assist LGBTQ youth in safely exploring their sexuality

For Educators

COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere)
A national movement of children, youth, and adults who have at least one “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ)” parent. Strives to “build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.”

Making Classrooms Safer for Students with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents
Tips for teachers on safety and respect for youth with LGBTQ parents and for any student affected by homophobia and oppression.

GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network)
A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe schools for all students. Seeks to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and additional resources focus on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on GLSEN’s research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

GLSEN Safe Space: A How-To Guide for Starting an Allies Program (PDF)
Ten Things Educators Can Do...To Ensure That Their Classrooms Are Safe Spaces For ALL Students
How Does Homophobia Hurt Us All? (2003)
Presents a list of scenarios and asks students to write a response on how "homophobia hurts us all."
From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America–A National Report on School Bullying (2005)
A survey of 3,400+ students aged 13–18 and 1,000+ secondary school teachers on the school environment for students—especially LGBT students—who are bullied and harassed. (2005)

Mental Health America

Bullying and Gay Youth
Explains risks to the mental health and physical well-being of GBLT youth; includes ways their education is being affected; offers suggestions to help end bullying in schools; includes additional resources.

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
A national nonprofit of 200,000+ members and supporters and 350+ affiliates in the US that “promotes the health and well-being of LGBT persons, their families, and friends through support, education, and advocacy.”

Making Schools Safe for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Students & Staff
Overviews of what high schools can do to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ youth and adults.

The Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth
The Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth is an independent agency that recommends and advocates to all branches of state government effective policies, programs, and resources for GLBT youth.

Making Colleges and Universities Safe for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Students and Staff
Overviews of what colleges, and universities can do to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ youth and adults.

For Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals

Advocates for Youth

The Impact of Homophobia and Racism on GLBTQ Youth of Color (2007) (PDF)
A fact sheet geared to those who work with youth. Includes information on homophobia; explains additional challenges faced by youth of color including HIV, pregnancy, sexual violence, racism, and homelessness; and stresses the importance of culturally competent education and health care programs and services.

Child Welfare League of America

Best Practice Guidelines: Serving LGBT Youth In Out-Of Home Care (PDF)
Guidelines for child welfare and juvenile justice systems in serving LGBT youth in out-of-home care.
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Support Project: Resources (PDF)
Training and technical assistance for providers and educators who support GLBT youth.

National Center for Cultural Competence

Providing Services and Supports for Youth who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex or Two-Spirit (2008) (PDF)
Geared to policy makers, administrators, and providers: provides information on this population; explains “how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services to meet their needs and preferences.”

For Parents and Caregivers

Family Equality Council (GLAD)
A “national organization that supports, represents and connects the 1 million parents in the United States who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and the 2 million children they are raising.”

52 ways to be OUTSpoken: A Once-a-Week Way to Advocate for Family Equality (PDF)
A fact sheet suggesting ways to promote visibility and to advocate for social change for families with LGBTQ members and their allies.
Talking to Children About Our Families (PDF) (2007)
“Intended to support parents in responding to their children's (spoken and unspoken) questions as they come to understand who they are in the context of their family and who their family is in the context of their community.” Questions and answers presented are divided into three stages of child development (aged 3 and under, 4–7, and 8+).

(GLSEN) Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe schools for all students. Seeks to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and additional resources focus on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on GLSEN’s research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

Involved, Invisible, Ignored: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents and Their Children in Our Nation's K-12 Schools (PDF) (2008)
A report on research documenting the “school-related experiences of both LGBT parents and students with LGBT parents.” Topics include parental involvement in schools, parent-child discussions about school, negative experiences with schools (e.g., student experiences of harassment, assault, and other mistreatment in school), and school-based resources and supports for LGBT families.

For Youth

(GLAD) Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
A leading legal rights organization whose mission is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.

I'm Being Harassed at School? What Can I Do? (2012) (PDF)
Steps that students who are identified (by themselves or others) as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can take to respond to harassment.

Safe Schools Coalition
An international public-private partnership in support of GLBT youth.

Resources for GLBT Youth of Color
Extensive listing of programs, support groups, services, hotlines, websites, books, and articles for parents/guardians, family members, educators, and allies of GLBT youth of color.
The Toolkit for LGBT and Ally College Students & Organizations
Web-based toolkit for LGBT and ally campus groups that provides “access to hundreds of resources that can be used to strengthen, develop, support, and expand college and university organizations.”

The Trevor Project
A national organization that provides “crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.”

Trevor Lifeline
Confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7, toll free)

Resources