Resources

For All Educators
*"Our Fight, Too: Non-Gay People and Homophobia" - Testimonials about How Straight People Are Affected by Homophobia
*Breaking the Silence: A Resource Guide for implementing changes that will make schools safer and support LGBT students
*See Resources for Curriculum Ideas

For Administrators
*School Climate Survey
*January 1, 1997 - Discrimination and Harassment Policies in School
*From A-Z: Schools and LGBT Issues: An Assessment Survey
*What You Can Do

For LGBT Educators
*What You Can Do

For Counselors
*What You Can Do
*Project YES - Making our world safe for ALL youth *The Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling - A division of the ACA
*"Just the Facts: On Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students and School"

For Coaches
*What You Can Do

For Curriculum Ideas
*January 1, 1999 - "McCarthyism and the Witch-Hunt Mentality"
*January 1, 1997 - "Changing Times, Changing Demands"
*Writing Letters to Elected Officials: Influencing Decision-Makers - A Step by Step Guide to Writing Elected Officials
*The Dignity for All Students Act Action Kit

For Your Students
*Writing Letters to Elected Officials: Influencing Decision-Makers - A Step by Step Guide to Writing Elected Officials
*See the Student Section of the GLSEN Sioux Falls webpage

Articles of Interest

All Educators
*January 1, 1999 - "What Does Homosexuality Have to Do With Education"
*January 1, 1999 - "The Lesson We Still Need to Learn"
*Winter 1999 - "Silence is the Voice of Complicity: Addressing Homophobia in Schools"
*"How Straight Coaches Can Support LGBT Student Athletes" - Also a good resource for straight teachers
*Where are the Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Teachers?
*October 7, 2000 - "NEA Pres Bob Chase's Historic Speech from 2000 GLSEN conference"
*March 9, 2001 - "University Study Shows Gay Hate Starts Early"
*January 11, 2001 - "Gay Students say schools should help fight prejudice."
*March 11, 2001 - "Many LGBT Students Learn Fear in School (IA)"
*"Advice from GSA Advisors"
*"Background Information on 'No Promo Homo' Policies"
*See Articles For Curriculum Ideas

Administrators
*January 1, 1999 - "What Does Homosexuality Have to Do With Education"
*January 1, 1999 - "The Lesson We Still Need to Learn"
*Winter 1999 - "Silence is the Voice of Complicity: Addressing Homophobia in Schools"
*January 1, 2000 - "Assessing the Athletic Climate for LGB Athletes and Coaches"
*October 7, 2000 - "NEA Pres Bob Chase's Historic Speech from 2000 GLSEN conference"
*March 9, 2001 - "University Study Shows Gay Hate Starts Early"
*January 11, 2001 - "Gay Students say schools should help fight prejudice."
*January 1, 1997 - "Staff Development on Homophobia Issues"
*March 11, 2001 - "Many LGBT Students Learn Fear in School (IA)"
*"Advice from GSA Advisors"
*"Background Information on 'No Promo Homo' Policies"

LGBT Educators
*Where are the Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Teachers?
*April 19, 2000 - "Gay Educators Discovering Strength in Honesty in Chicago"

Counselors

Coaches
*January 1, 1999 - "Homosexuality, Homophobia and Soccer" - A Good Resource For All Coaches
*January 1, 1999 - "Reasons Why Coaches Need to Address Homophobia in Athletics"
*January 1, 2000 - "Assessing the Athletic Climate for LGB Athletes and Coaches"
*"How Straight Coaches Can Support LGBT Student Athletes"
*September 17, 2000 - "Coming Out to Face the Team"
*January 1, 1999 - "Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Athletes Have the Right to . . ."
*"Gay Coaches Urge Others to Come Out"
May 4, 2000 - "Masco Football Player Takes the Ball and Runs with it"

Curriculum Ideas
*January 1, 1997 - "Why We Need A Gay and Lesbian History Month"
*October 1, 1999 - "Breaking the Code on LGBT History"
*March 5, 2001 - "Wanting More Than Heroes and Holidays"
*March 5, 2001 - "Student Harassment Leads to Diversity Video, Lesson Plan (CA)"
*February 14, 2001"Do Words Hurt?"
*December 20, 1999 - "The Same Sex Marriage Debate"
*February 12, 2001 - "Hey teachers: How about a lesson on marriage rights?: Use GLSEN's 'At Issue: Marriage' curriculum guide as a teaching tool"

For Your Students
*January 1, 1999 - "Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Athletes Have the Right to . . ."
*September 17, 2000 - "Coming Out to Face the Team"
*See our Student section on the GLSEN Sioux Falls Webpage

Overview of the Rights of Gay, Lesbian
and Bisexual Teachers

This essay addresses the major legal principles governing the employment of gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers in the public and private (but not religious) schools. Section 2 discusses the rights and protections afforded by the United States Constitution, particularly the First Amendment. Section 3 addresses the widely varying state law protections which may be available to gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers. Section 4 addresses the role of unions and collective bargaining agreements for unionized employees. The conclusion, at Section 5, sets out practical advice.

This is an excerpt from Mary L. Bonauto's essay. Click here to read the full text.

What can I do?

All Educators - Why Should I Help?
The biggest way that you can make a difference in your school is by recognizing that not all students or educators are straight. Then, you can start implementing curriculum that is inclusive of all sexual orientations. Another way you can help is by sending a letter to your state teachers union urging inclusion of LGBT issues in the safe schools debate. If you want to know more about what you can do to develop policies, initiatives, programs, and procedures that will make their schools more responsive to the needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual student, and their families then, read "Taking the Lead."

GLSEN Sioux Falls needs you. We want to work with you to help you create safe and supportive classrooms. We can send you brochures and educational updates. Let us know you are interested by sending us an email or a letter (see the address below).

If you would like to learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-ways to educate your students about LGBT issues
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here

For Administrators - Why Should I Help?
The most important thing you can do as an administrator is letting your employees know that you expect a safe and supportive enviroment for all people, including straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual employees. It is not enough to assume that your employees know that your workplace is safe. You must tell them and let your policies reflect it. One way to show your staff is through Staff Devolopment on Homophobia Issues. For more information on implimenting change in your workplace read:
*Breaking the Silence: A Resource Guide for implementing changes that will make schools safer and support LGBT students
*January 1, 1997 - Discrimination and Harassment Policies in School
*"Taking The Lead" The materials in this packet are designed to help school leaders develop policies, initiatives, programs, and procedures that will make their schools more responsive to the needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual student, and their families.

It is also your responsibility as an administrator to know what the envirnment is like for the LGBT community where you work. You can asses your workplace climate through the following resources:
*School Climate Survey
*From A-Z: Schools and LGBT Issues: An Assessment Survey

GLSEN Sioux Falls needs your help. We want to work with you to help you create safe and supportive work environments. We can send you brochures and educational updates. Let us know you are interested by sending us an email or a letter (see the address below).

Learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here

For LGBT Educators - Why Should I Help?
The most important things you can do as an LGBT Educator is remember that you are not alone, you have support, you do not have to come out, you do not have the right to be put down, you have to right to come out, you have the right to be supported and you have an ally in GLSEN Sioux Falls.

If you would like to learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-your ability to come out
-ways to come out in your school
-ways to tell your school administration
-ways to educate your students about LGBT issues without coming out
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here

For Counselors - Why Should I Help?
One of the most important things you can do is remember that not all students are straight. Provide all students with information all sexual orientations.

If you would like to learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here

For Coaches - Why Should I Help?
One of the most important things you can do as a coach is recognize that not all of your student atheletes are straight.

If you would like to learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-ways to educate your student athletes about LGBT issues
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here

For Curriculum Ideas
Remember in creating your curiculum that you have students who LGBT, students with family members who are LGBT, and fellow Educators who are LGBT. Try to make your curriculum inclusive and respectful of all sexual orientations. You can do this by reading articles on inclusive curriculum, or by using the suggested inclusive curriculum.

For Your Students
Hi. I am Megan Rohrer. I am the webmaster of GLSEN Sioux Falls. I went to school at Garfield Elementary 86-88, Horace Mann Elementary 88-91, Patrick Henry Middle School 91-93, and Lincoln High School 94-98. I was involved in athletics, music, team deabate, and ULE. As a lesbian growing up in the Sioux Falls School district I did not feel safe or supported. I cannot recall one day in Middle School or High School where I did not here homophobic comments in my school. I never once heard a teacher reprimand a student for using homophobic language. I saw teachers use homophobic comments in the classroom and in the hallways. I ask you, as your student, to stop this from happening to anymore students.

All students deserve to have a safe and supportive school. All students deserve one safe place where they can be themselves. Make your school a safe zone. Get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls. End the hate and homophobia in our schools. Change begins with you.

If you would like to learn more about:
-your school district's stance on LGBT students and teachers
-your ability to come out
-ways to come out in your school
-ways to tell your school administration
-ways to educate your students about LGBT issues without coming out
-the safe zone project
-or anything else

email GLSEN Sioux Falls. Or, send a letter to:
GLSEN Sioux Falls, PO BOX 38, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101-0038

For more information on how to get involved with GLSEN Sioux Falls: Click Here