Educator's Resources and Frequently Asked Questions
If you encounter an LGBTQ youth that has questions or needs guidance, we can provide you with access to helpful resources.
For more information on the following topics, please call 877.90ZEBRA or write info@zebrayouth.org. If you are having an emergency, please dial 911.
What resources are available to me to help counsel students on this subject?
GLSEN has five ideas to teach students about the LGBT community ranging from increasing their knowledge on the subject to reading LGBT themed books in class. This list is geared towards celebrating LGBT pride month but can be implemented at any time throughout the school year. Before teaching students about the subject make sure to get support from the school, school district and community.
GLSEN website specifically designed to help educators increase knowledge of LGBT to students:
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/educator/index.html?state=tools&type=tools
What should I do if a student confides he/she is LGBT?
You should keep this information confidential since the student chose to tell you. It is up to the student to choose to tell others he/she is LGBT. If the student talks about hurting himself/herself or abuse of any kind then you need to immediately tell the principal and SAFE coordinator at the school. You should let the student know if they share any information that could potentially cause harm, it has to be reported.
http://www.berealorlando.org/html/support_groups.htmlCheck out this book to help provide further care and insight to the student:
Lesbian & Gay Youth: Care & Counseling by Caitlin Ryan and Donna Futterman.
What should I do if I suspect a student is being harassed because of his/her sexuality?
You should confront the child and ask if they are having any problems with other kids at school. Then tell an administrator you suspect the child is being harassed and contact the child’s parents to inform them. To ensure the classroom is a safe environment, discuss how harassment or verbal assaults can be harmful to anyone. If you witness a child harassing another, intervene immediately. A way to make students think and act positively towards LGBT students is to incorporate LGBT issues into your lesson plans.
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayteens/ss/studentteacher_3.htmTo find out more information on how to create a supportive environment for LGBT students read Understanding Gay and Lesbian Youth: Lessons for Straight School Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators by David Campos.
Should I start a support group if there are numerous students that come to me with these types of issues?
Yes that is a good idea, but you will need to 1) consult with the school board 2) ask the students if they are interested in talking about issues/feelings with other LGBT youth before starting a support group. If for some reason you cannot start a support group at your school you can give students information on local LGBT youth organizations they can join.
Here are 10 steps from GLSEN to help start a Gay/Straight Alliance in your school.
Should I be telling anyone else in the student’s family or group of friends so they can add to the student’s support network?
No, do not discuss the student’s personal details with his/her family or friends. The student chose to confide in you so respect his/her right to privacy; it is up to the student to decide whom to tell.
Guidelines to follow when a student tells you they are LGBT: http://www.lambda.org/student_comes_out.htm
How should I handle a passive parent if a student feels that coming out is not being acknowledged at home?
You do not want to get too involved with matters at home, but may want to mention to the parent how being passive can affect their child. Problems can arise when parents do not provide support and care to their child, especially if they are not acknowledging the situation at all. The best thing for you to do is let the student know you are there to talk anytime. Educate the student on how some parents need time to accept their child being LGBT.
Here is an article on what every parent should know about homosexuality with a paragraph explaining what often happens after a child tries to connect multiple times to a passive parent:
http://www.narth.com/docs/hom101.html
I’m not sure I’m comfortable giving guidance to LGBT students. Where can I find helpful information?
If you are unsure about giving guidance to LGBT students there are a number of books that can help. For starters try reading Helping Gay and Lesbian Youth: New Policies, New Programs, New Practice by Teresa DeCrescenzo featuring a section about hands-on counseling issues. Another book to check out is School Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Youth: The Invisible Minority by Mary B. Harris. It illustrates LGBT youths’ experiences and the actions you as an educator can take to prevent harassment and violence from happening in school.
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