Changing the Game: Including LGBT Students on School Sports Teams AAHPERD, 2012 Pat Griffin, Director, Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project sports.glsen.org

Workshop Goals Discuss why we focus on physical education and athletics Identify ways to address anti-LGBT name- calling in PE and athletics Identify GLSEN Sports Project resources for PE teachers and coaches

Some Definitions sports.glsen.org Sexual Orientation: Our feelings of sexual and emotional attraction to others: Heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual Gender Identity: Our internal sense of identity as a boy, girl, man, woman, for example

Some Definitions sports.glsen.org Transgender: Describes a person whose gender identity is not the same as the gender they were assigned at birth Gender Expression: The names, pronouns, behaviors, dress, mannerisms, etc. that we use to communicate our gender to others

Some Definitions LGBT is a shorthand reference to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Q = Queer, Questioning

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education? Importance of physical activity to overall student health and well-being Central role of athletics in schools Leadership and visibility of coaches and athletes in schools sports.glsen.org

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education? Sport culture in which anti-LGBT name calling, taunting, bullying, hazing are sometimes viewed as part of the game Gender and sexuality stereotypes associated with sports participation Locker rooms, PE classes and sports teams as gendered spaces sports.glsen.org

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education? Unique nature of physical activity instructional environment Many physical education preparation programs do not address these issues Many part-time coaches do not participate in staff development, leading to decreased awareness of school anti-bullying policies sports.glsen.org

GLSEN School Climate Survey Results Many Students Perceive Locker Rooms, Bathrooms, Gyms, Playing Fields as Unsafe Spaces sports.glsen.org

Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education: What Does It Look Like? sports.glsen.org

Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education: What Does It Look Like? sports.glsen.org Taunting in Competition, PE Class Teacher, Coach Attempts to Motivate or Shame Spectator Chants, Taunting

Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education: What Does It Look Like? sports.glsen.org Team Hazing Rituals Locker Room BullyingAll Purpose Putdown

Name-Calling/Bullying: How Do We Stop It? sports.glsen.org LEZZY! FAGGOT! HOMO! INSERT RESPONSE HERE That’s So Gay!

What Keeps Teachers from Responding to Name-Calling/Bullying? Pervasiveness, Belief that things won’t change Belief that name-calling is a harmless right of passage for young people Lack of Skills, Don’t know what to say Lack of Awareness, Don’t see/hear it Fear of Student Reaction, Losing control Lack of Administrative Support sports.glsen.org

Being the Change You Want to See A Model for Changing the Climate

S.P.R.E. A Model for Addressing Name- Calling/Bullying S how P revent R espond E ducate sports.glsen.org

Show = Be an Example of Respect and Support Use respectful language Use inclusive, gender-neutral language Learn and use students’ preferred names Be positive and encouraging Expect the best from students Show interest in individual students sports.glsen.org

Prevent = Communicate Expectations From the Start Discuss/Identify expectations for student interactions at the start of each unit/season Post rules for student interactions Give specific examples Ask students to sign a class/team respect pledge sports.glsen.org

Student Behavior Expectations sports.glsen.org Participation and Interaction Rules PostReviewMonitorRewardCorrect

Respond = If It’s Mean, Intervene If you see something, say something Keep it simple: “That’s not ok in this class” or “You are better than that.” Address it and keep things moving sports.glsen.org

Educate = Expand on Response Grab a Teachable Moment – Take more time, follow-up, have a conversation Plan a Lesson – Plan and teach a lesson/activity with the objective of increasing respectful student interactions, eliminating name-calling Talk about Respect Challenge – Why, What sports.glsen.org

What Do You Typically Do? S how P revent R espond E ducate sports.glsen.org

How Can You Expand on What is Typical for You? S how P revent R espond E ducate sports.glsen.org

Practice: The Key to Success Form TriadPractice ResponseGive Feedback

Practice: The Key to Success Student calls classmate “gay” because he dropped the ball Student tells a teammate her haircut is “gay.” Coach/PE teacher calls a student a “little faggot.” A student tells a teacher/coach, calling someone “gay” is just kidding around

A Great Resource for Physical Education and Athletics sports.glsen.org

Sports Project Mission Make K-12 athletics and physical education safe, respectful and inclusive for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions sports.glsen.org

Resources For: Coaches Physical Educators Students Parents Administrators Sports Project Resources sports.glsen.org

Safe Sports Space Campaign Ask School Physical Education and Coaching Staff to Participate in the Safe Sports Space Campaign Sports Project Resources sports.glsen.org

Our School’s Safe Sports Space Rules No Teasing or Taunting No Name-Calling No Bullying Play Within the Rules Treat Others With Respect Take Turns Cheer Others On Share the Ball Have Fun Win or Lose, Be A Good Sport sports.glsen.org

Even More Resources sports.glsen.org Physical Education Class Respect Pledge No Name-Calling Lesson/Activity Plan

Team Respect Challenge Invite School Teams to Take The Team Respect Challenge Pledge Amherst Regional High School Girls Softball Team Staples High School Boys Soccer Team Sports Project Resources sports.glsen.org

Sports Project Resources sports.glsen.org Start a Bring Your ‘A’ Game Campaign Among Athletes in Your School

sports.glsen.org If LGBT students in your school named an all-star adult ally team, would you make the cut?

How Can LGBT Students Know If You Are A Supportive, Approachable Adult? sports.glsen.org Use Respectful and Inclusive Language Call All Students By Preferred Name Give Clear Expectations for Respectful Student Interactions and Behavior Respond to Name-Calling and Bullying Post “Safe Space” Posters or Stickers Monitor Safety in Locker Rooms, Bathrooms Participate in GSA-sponsored Events

How Can You Change The Game In Your Program? sports.glsen.org What Strategies or Ideas Did You Learn Today? What Will You Do To Make Your PE or Athletic Program Safer and More Inclusive for All Students? What is Your Plan Of Action?

R ESPECT. Are You Bringin’ It? Pat Griffin sports.glsen.org