Title: Creating Inclusive Schools for Sexual Minorities: Professional, Ethical, and Legal Contexts for Educators
1Creating Inclusive Schools for Sexual Minorities
Professional, Ethical, and Legal Contexts for
Educators
- André P. Grace
- Sarah-Jane Flynn
- Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and
Services (iSMSS)
2Introduction Overview
- Why educators might avoid sexual-minority issues
and concerns - Health safety concerns of sexual-minority youth
- What the research says
- The matter of youth resiliency
- Law, legislation, and policy
- What one educator can do
- iSMSS Contact Information
3Why educators might avoid sexual-minority issues
and concerns
- Personal discomfort
- Lack of knowledge
- Fear of parental reaction
- Lack of administrative support
- Private moral objections (religious or secular)
- Ignorance of ATA policy around mandated ethical
professional practice
4Health Safety Concerns of Sexual Minority Youth
- Invisible minority groups
- Disproportionate targets for violence and
victimization - Coming out at younger ages
- Street involvement
- Suicide and Suicide Ideation
- Lack of knowledge of sexual health and safety
5Research on Sexual-Minority Youth in our Schools
- - Truancy or dropping out
- - Drug and alcohol abuse
- - Increased peer victimization
- - Withdrawal from social and school activities
- - More experiences of dating violence
- - Significantly higher rates of bullying and
sexual harassment - - Running away from home
- - Turning to prostitution and/or living on the
streets - - Depression and/or increased suicide ideation or
suicide attempts - (Bagley Tremblay, 1997 Grace Wells, 2001,
2004, 2005 - McCreary Centre Society, 1999 Ryan Futterman,
1998 Wells Tsutsumi, 2005 - Wells, 2006 Williams, Connolly, Pepler, Craig,
2003 2005 )
6Resiliency Sexual-Minority Youth
- - Positive representations
- - Family community acceptance
- - Positive peer school relationships
- - Sexual-minority support networks
- - A variety of coping strategies (resiliency
mindset) - - Higher self-esteem/social-esteem
7Law, Legislation, and Policy
- - Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and
Multiculturalism Act (1998) Vriend decision -
April 02, 1998 - - ATA Professional Code of Conduct (1999/2003)
- - ATA Declaration of Rights Responsibilities
for Teachers (2000/2004) - - The Alberta School Act Section 45 (8) (2000)
- - Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Section 15 (1) Individual rights and accommodation
8More on ATA Policy
- In 1999 ATA amends Code of Professional Conduct
to include protection against discrimination
based on sexual orientation - In 2000 ATA adds the same protection to
Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities for
teachers - In 2001 ATAs establishes the Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity DEHR subcommittee - In 2002 SOGI link added to the ATA website
9More on ATA Policy
- In 2003 ATA amends Code to include protection
against discrimination based on gender identity - In 2004 ATA adds the same protection to the
Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities - In 2005 ATA passes a resolution to support the
establishment of GSAs in Alberta High Schools - In 2006 ATA passes a resolution respecting
same-gender nuclear family units
10More on ATA Policy
- In 2006 ATA also passes resolutions urging
- The Department of Education to include a focus on
sexual-minority issues in curricula and
educational resources - Alberta School Boards to develop district
policies focusing on the health and safety of
sexual-minority youth, teachers, and staff - Faculties of Education to include curriculum and
instructional strategies in their teacher
preparation programs that focus on sexual
orientation and gender identity in
age-appropriate ways in Alberta classrooms and
schools
11Concluding Perspective What Can One Educator Do?
- Create ethical pedagogies
- Announce and denounce conditions of symbolic and
physical violence - Use inclusive language
- Display affirming symbols and images
- Examine your own biases and prejudices
- Engage in personal reflection and education
12iSMSS Contact Information
For further information, please contact the iSMSS
APO, Sarah J. Flynn sjflynn_at_ualberta.ca