What You Can Do to Make Your School Safer for Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Students
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Remember that there are gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth in your classes.
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Examine your own beliefs. Think about your assumptions and commit yourself to unlearning any prejudice you have internalized.
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Show that you're gay-friendly. Use the words "gay," "lesbian," and "bisexual." Keep your language free of heterosexual bias. Wear a button or put up a poster.
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Talk to gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. Ask them what they want and need. Listen to their answers, and work to help them achieve their goals. If someone comes to you, don't tell anyone else without that person's permission.
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Challenge homophobic remarks everywhere and all the time. Remind students, or others, that antigay labels, remarks, or jokes reflect prejudice and are hurtful. Use such incidents as opportunities to educate. Make it clear that you are offended by the name-calling and will not tolerate it. Let students know what the consequences will be if you hear further insults. Follow through immediately with those consequences.
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Order lesbian, gay, and bisexual books for the library. Many people go first to the library when they want information but are not ready to talk about their concerns. More than one librarian has reported that gay books were "the most dog-eared, least ckecked out" books on the shelves. If there are budget constraints about library purchases, think about soliciting contributions or making donations yourself.
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Write letters to school and local papers. When there are current events that affect gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, write letters to the editors expressing your supportive point of view.
From: Free Your Mind: The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Their Allies
By Ellen Basss and Kate Kaufman
1996 Harper Collins
