Three Things I Learned
– “Thirty percent of all youth suicides are committed by gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. They are three to five times more likely then heterosexual peers and more likely to succeed when they do” (Kourany, pg.59)
– Within schools,40% of gay, lesbian, or bisexual students experience physical violence in schools. Also, with another 40% of students that say that their school work was affected by their environment.
– ‘Queering’ is the idea “re-educating parents” who object to teaching children about homosexual families
Two Connections
– I have a friend who recently ‘came out’ as someone who is bisexual. He has been dealing with the idea of sharing it with people for about 4 years. Everyone he has told has been supportive and he’s glad that he has told people.
– Last term we had a transgender person who came to our class and gave a story of the journey they had to go on. They told us why they did it and the things they had to go through since much of society does not want to acknowledge the situation. It was a sad story but impactful.
One Question
– How can we make classrooms/schools feel more open to students who maybe struggling with the idea of being LGBTTIQ?
Brody Brown 
HI Brody, the facts you presented are striking, and it is unfortunate suicide rates are high and that people who identify as homosexual are struggling in society today. I think it is becoming easier for people to come out, but there are still challenges. To answer your question, take a look at this video: https://youtu.be/CnOJgDW0gPI. I think by showing this to students they can realize that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual really is no different than being heterosexual. Also, you as a teacher need to model acceptance because students look up to you and model after you. You are the initial person to get the ball rolling as I should say.
Good insight
LikeLike
Hello Brody very interesting blog post, I like the connections you made with the texts. I also had a friend who came out as well. She was very anxious and scared in the beginning due to her religious family and it was actually a big shock in the community but afterwards as time went on her family finally came into terms with who she is and is very supportive now. To answer your question, I would definitely have a ‘safe space’ in my classroom. I would be a supportive ally to my LGBTQ students and in doing this I can hang posters up with the rainbow symbol. By hanging these posters or stickers that shows the school, students and parents that I am a supportive ally with the LGBTQ community. All students are at risk of being bullied, harassed or called names at school, but LGBTQ students face particularly hostile school environments. I will make sure I have that ‘safe space’ in my classroom so all my students can come to me when they need help.
LikeLike
Brody, great post! I am going to further add to the posts of our classmates; in addition to video resources, adding literature + music, posters and other resources of awareness within our classroom, I believe that it is crucial that we, educators, bring in outside resources. (ie. fyrefly in schools). Students need a safe space to learn, explore and develop- bringing in people from the community could further enhance this safe space and give the students security within the school.
We, as educators, must always educate ourselves and be open to asking for assistance when needed in order to benefit our students.
LikeLike