Creating Schools where L G B T students and staff thrive

1. Creating Schools where LGBT students and staff thrive Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D. Romoland School District @RomoSup

3. School non-discrimination laws and policies 14 states with law that addresses discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity 1- state with law that addresses discrimination against students based on sexual orientation only 35 states no laws hrc.org

4. School anti-bullying laws and policies 20 - states with laws that address harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity 2 - states with anti-bullying laws that prevent school districts from specifically protecting LGBT students 8 - states with laws that restrict the inclusion of LGBT topics in schools hrc.org

5. Hostile school climates negatively affect educational success and general well-being

6. Schooling Experience of LGBT Youth 65% heard homophobic remarks like “dyke” or “fag” frequently or often 30% missed at least one day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable 85% were verbally harassed in the past year 18% could not bring a same-gender date to school dances 28% were disciplined for public displays of affection that were not similarly disciplined among non-LGBT students 56% of LGBT students experienced discriminatory school policies and practices GLSEN 2013

7. Statewide employment laws and policies 19 states prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity 3 states that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation only 5 states that prohibit discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity 5 states that prohibit discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation only hrc.org

8. LGBT in the Workplace 9% of LGBT employees left a job because the environment was not accepting 26% stayed because the environment was accepting 53% of all LGBT workers nationwide hide who they are in the workplace hrc.org (cost of the closet)

9. National Public Opinion Trends Marriage Equality Williams Institute

10. Military and Adoption Williams Institute

11. Perception of Discrimination Williams Institute

12. So, whatcanyoudo? • Policies • Verbal Leadership • Inclusive diversity work • Enact law/Professional Development • Support gay/straight alliances • Inclusive library collections • Healthy Kids Supplemental Survey • Web Filters

13. BoardPolicies Romoland 4030 - Employees non-discrimination The Governing Board desires to provide a positive work environment where employees and job applicants are assured of equal access and opportunities and are free from harassment in accordance with law. The Board prohibits district employees from discriminating against or harassing any other district employee or job applicant on the basis of the person's actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation. Romoland 5145.3 - Students non-discrimination The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district's academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

14. Organizationswithsupportivelanguage

15. Verbal&VisualLeadership LGBT is ok Not listening or tolerating jokes Not ignoring “that’s so gay”

16. InclusiveDiversityFocus Educator Guide Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) - Safe Space Kit Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - Welcoming Schools

18. EnactLaw/ProfessionalDevelopment • SB 48 - Fair (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, Respectful) • ELA Framework p. 898 • AB9 - Seth’s Law • GLSEN - Ready, set, respect • GLSEN - Developing Inclusive Classrooms • AB1266

19. SupportformingofGayStraightAlliance

20. Inclusivelibrarycollection

21. HealthyKidsSurvey Gender & Sex-Based Harassment Module - 53 questions $100 per School District

22. WebFilters • Ensure filters allow access to resources...and more • Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org) • GSA Network (gsanetwork.org) • Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (glsen.org) • Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org) From Statehouse to Schoolhouse • Teaching Tolerance (tolerance.org) • It Gets Better (itgetsbetter.org) Teaching Tolerance - Sex? Sexual Orientation? Gender Identity? Gender Expression?

23. PersonalActionPlan Today… • Review Board Policies Tomorrow • Check Web Filters