1. The Invisible Minority: Dealing with Homophobia In Schools

2. Pennsylvania School Counselors
Presented by:
Thomas G. Sechrist
(610)

3. Terminology and 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. Levels of Homophobia Revulsion Pity Tolerance Acceptance Support
Admiration
Appreciation
Celebration

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 and Causes 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 External Factors 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
st 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