Resources

Suggested Teaching Strategies

Commentary

"Queer Matters: Educating educators about Homophobia" by William DeJean and Anne Rene Elsebree from Rethinking Schools

Excellent teaching strategies for engaging adults in interrogating heterosexism and homophobia

"Respecting Families Nurtures Everyone" is a GLSEN Lesson for early childhood education

Read Aloud of The Different Dragon in a unit on multiculturalism to introduce sexual orientation and gender issues. After the reading discuss key concepts on gender, sexual orientation diversity, and reading the entire book.

School Board Decision Making Scenario

Create a simulation where the school board responds to a teacher's participation in a Gay Pride Parade and discuss the legal rights of the Teacher's Personal Life as protected by the U.S. Constitution and/or State Mandates

The Heterosexual Questionnaire

Examine the ironies and contradictions regarding popular beliefs, myths, and misconceptions about sexual orientation. It also provided an opportunity to propose and discuss the concept of heterosexism.

Advocates for Youth Glossary (http://advocatesforyouth.org)

Review lessons, resources, publications, and links to expand your teaching repertoire. Numerous lessons provide background, guidance, and important considerations for implementing the teaching and learning proposed.

Common Ground

Use this tool to identify and share the diversity among us and our students and teachers. It is derived from the work of Beverly Tatum and represents a version found in the rich two volume collection Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice.

Gay, Lesbian, Straight Educators Network (GLSEN)

Examine the resources, ideas, links and announcements of local, regional and national events and actions.

Soulforce (http://www.soulforce.org)

Read the provocative essay on what the Bible says and does not say on homosexuality. Examines the methods and beliefs of discrimination from conservative colleges.

Strengthening the Learning Environment: A School Employees Guide to Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered Issues (NEA)

Examine the facts, data, legal issues information and practical tips on a range of gender and sexual orientation diversity issues such as Statistics on the impact of harassment on learning, "Coming Out," and preventing suicide.

Illinois Human Rights Act. (Amended January 2006) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-1078&print=true&write

Examine the protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Illinois joins less the 15 other states with similar legislation against anti-GLBT discrimination.

Opening Doors: Lesbian and Gay Parents and Schools

Incorporate this Project of the Education Advocacy Committee of the Family Pride Coalition (Co-authored by Daniel Ryan, a former NCE faculty member and current school principal in Berwyn, Illinois).

Coming Out In Middle School (NY Times) - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27out-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine

Examine this article about middle school student coming out and discuss the types of support that a school can provide. Join the blog sponsored by Dr. Jeffrey Fishberger, who answer readers' questions about anxiety, depression, bullying and suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth