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The Invisible Minority: Dealing with Homophobia In Schools

The Invisible Minority: Dealing with Homophobia In Schools. Pennsylvania School Counselors. Presented by: Thomas G. Sechrist tgsechrist@verizon.net (610) 430-6513. Terminology and Definitions. Homophobia

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The Invisible Minority: Dealing with Homophobia In Schools

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  1. The Invisible Minority: Dealing with Homophobia In Schools

  2. Pennsylvania School Counselors Presented by: Thomas G. Sechrist tgsechrist@verizon.net (610) 430-6513

  3. Terminologyand Definitions • Homophobia • Prejudice, discrimination, harassment, or acts of violence against sexual minorities, evidenced by a deep-seated fear or hatred of those who love or sexually desire those of the same sex

  4. Definitions • Internalized Homophobia • The experience of shame, guilt, or self-hatred in reaction to one’s own feelings of sexual attraction for a person of the same gender

  5. Revulsion Pity Tolerance Acceptance Support Admiration Appreciation Celebration Levels of Homophobia

  6. Definitions • Heterosexism • A belief in the superiority of heterosexuals or heterosexuality evidenced by the exclusion, by omission or design, of non-heterosexual persons in policies, procedures, events, or activities

  7. Sexual Orientation • One component of a person’s identity • Falls along a continuum • Describes one’s attraction to a gender • Determined before birth or early in life

  8. Statistics • 26% of adolescent gay males report having to leave home as a result of conflicts with their family over sexual orientation • 42% of homeless youth self-identify as gay or lesbian • Gay and lesbian youth represent 30% of all completed suicides • 46% of gay/lesbian adolescents suffered violence from their families, peers, and/or strangers

  9. Statistics • 28% of gay men/lesbians drop out of school • 31% of lesbians/gay men showed signs of alcoholism, a rate three times higher than non-gay adults • 80% of adolescent lesbians use alcohol, 56 % use other drugs, and 11% use crack and/or cocaine

  10. Statistics • 19% of gay college men attempt suicide versus 6% of heterosexual college men • 72% of males involved in prostitution identify as gay/bisexual • 80% of gay men/lesbian/bisexual youth report severe isolation • 50% of all gay and lesbian youth report that their parents rejected them due to their sexual orientations

  11. Research andCauses of Homosexuality Research Theories Include: • Brain Studies • Finger Length • Birth Order • Hormone Types and Levels • Two-Trait Profiles

  12. Typical-Student-Body Exercise • Gay, lesbian, or bisexual students – 6% • Students with a g/l/b sibling – 6% • Students with a g/l/b parent – 3% • Students who will have a g/l/b child – 12% • Gender non-conforming students – 20% • Student forced sexually by other gender – 12%

  13. Typical-Student-Body Exercise • Student forced sexually by same gender – 2% • Student experienced same sex touch – 23% • Student sexually proving not g/l/b -15% • Student avoiding being harassed – 75% • Student witnessing anti-gay verbal or physical violence – 95%

  14. National School Climate Survey • Verbal harassment – 84% • Physical harassment – 40% • Hear anti-gay comments – 90% • No intervention – 85% • No state law protection based on orientation – 75% • No local policy protection – 66%

  15. Adolescence • Search of identity • Development of intimacy with others • Task of moving from childhood to adulthood • Transition from family to friends • Finding oneself as sexual and romantic being • Making decisions about work and career

  16. Gay and Lesbian Adolescence • Adjustment to socially stigmatized role • Search of identities relative to sexual orientation • Awareness of being different from peers • Dealing with coming out process • Handling overt internalized homophobia • Sub-standard education • Process of oppression

  17. Lesbian and Gay Identity Development Models • Pre-Coming Out Stage – Sensitization • Identity Confusion • Identity Comparison or Redefinition • Identity Assumption or Tolerance • Identity Acceptance • Identity Pride • Identity Synthesis or Commitment

  18. Coming Out Process Ask Yourself • Am I sure I’m GLBT? • Why am I coming out? • Am I comfortable with myself? • Can I be patient with other people’s reactions? External Factors • Is it safe for you to come out? • What is your home environment like? • Do you have a support system?

  19. Coming Out Process Coming Out • Why? • Who do I tell first? • Be prepared. Do your research. • Be patient. • Pick a good time. • Hope for the best but prepare for the worst • Practice

  20. Coming Out Process Checklist • I am ready and I am comfortable with myself. • I’ve asked myself why I want to come out, and I’m sure it’s for the right reasons. • I’m ready to deal with the outcome. • I’m ready to provide the information • I have a support system

  21. Coming Out Process Reactions • How do you know? • It’s just a phase. • Why are you doing this to me? • It’s your choice to be this way. • You’re just saying that because you think it’s cool.

  22. Coming Out Process • But your life is going to be so hard. • But I always thought you’d get married and I’d have grandchildren. • It’s just wrong. • How am I supposed to deal with this?

  23. When Someone Comes Out to You Be a role model of acceptance. Ask questions that demonstrate compassion. Appreciate the person’s courage and trust. Have a sense of humor. Offer support. Be prepared to give a referral. Listen, listen, listen. Assure confidentiality. Don’t personalize. Ask. Remember everyone’s rights.

  24. Coming Out Issues Excitement and Pride Confusion and Uncertainty Peer Group Relations Family Relations Religious and Cultural Conflict School Career Lack of Role Models Legal Questions Group Identity Safer Sex Information

  25. Transgenderism • Statistics • Terminology Transexual Sexual reassignment surgery Gender Dysphoria Intersexual Individuals Cross Dressers

  26. Transgenderism Terminology (cont.) Transvestites Drag Queens She-males Female Impersonator Gender Bender

  27. Transgenderism • Biological Sex • Gender Identity Not sexual orientation Not about sex Sex-biological Gender-Behavioral/Social/Psychological

  28. Transgenderism • Sex Determinants Biological Chromosomes Hormones Gonads Internal Sexual Reproductive Organs External Organs

  29. Transgenderism Social/Psychological Gender of Rearing Gender Role Gender Identity • Causes Nature (Heredity) Nurture (Environment) Nature & Nurture

  30. Transgenderism • Names Christine Jergensen 1950’s Renee Richards 1966- Dr. Harry Benjamin The Transsexual Phenomena 1965- 1st SRS – University of Minnesota

  31. What One Individual Can Do • Educate yourself • Recognize and change your own homophobia and heterosexism • Create a safe and equitable workspace • Address homophobic language and behavior • Develop bias awareness and inclusive language in your work setting

  32. Effective Response “Hey, James! Faggot is a word that insults gay and lesbian people. I want to remind you that there are gay and lesbian youth everywhere, and when you use words like that, you make them feel insulted and unwelcome. It’s important that every individual feels safe and welcome, wherever they are. Don’t use that word anymore.”

  33. What Can an Organization Do? • Do Not Assume Heterosexuality • Guarantee equality • Create a Safe Environment • Provide Support for Youth and Families • Reassess and integrate safety and inclusive policies and practices

  34. What Can an Organization Do?- cont. • Broaden Programming to be More Inclusive • Diversify library and media collections • Provide training for faculty and staff • Provide appropriate sexuality and health care education • Lobby and support organizations and legislatures

  35. Practices, Policies and Strategies • Self-Select “Like” Groupings • Identify Facilitator, Timekeeper, Recorder and Reporter • Brainstorm Ideas for Change • Choose Two Possibilities • Develop Timeline and Action Steps for Implementation

  36. Resources • Internet Websites • Books and Print • DVDs and Movies • Organizations • Personal Connections and Networking • Educational and Institutional Media Centers

  37. Acceptance of Diversity, generally understood and embraced, is not casual liberal tolerance of anything and everything not yourself. It is not polite accommodation. Instead it is in action, the sometimes painful awareness that other people, other races, other voices, other habits of mind, have as much integrity of being, as much claim on the world as you do…and I urge you amid all the differences present to the eye and mind, to reach out to create that bond that will protect us all.We are meant to be here together.William M. Chase from The Language of Action

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