Part II : Intervening Against Homophobia

Proactive Intervention

What can we do to prevent homophobia from finding expression on school grounds in the first place?

Promote awareness and understanding of prejudice among all facets of the campus community.

• Administrative policy
• Staff development
• Class discussion

Make sure that the administrative culture of your school expressly values diversity. Don't assume that because a policy against discrimination has been stated in employment materials that the principles behind it have been infused into the administrative consciousness of the institution. Look for affirmative signs in the wording of internal and public relations correspondence. Listen to the expression of values from your colleagues. Watch for the availablity of support and resources such as diversity workshops.

Take responsibility to convey your own values of acceptance for all sexual orientations. Find ways to introduce functional resources, such as designated LGBTQ counselors. Initiate a discussion or invite speakers from the local LGBT community.

• You can find text resources for staff development on the Bibliography page.
  
  
• You'll find information on organizations for educators on the Networking page.

Bring awareness into the classroom. With active awareness of cultural diversity issues already established in the administrative environment of your school, you should be able to find support for introducing the subjects of prejudice, homophobia, sexual orientation, and diversity for class discussion and study.

Teacher materials are available from many sources. Familiarize yourself with different books, projects, and lesson plans, and select models appropriate for your students. Or adapt or invent your own strategies.

This resource page by the Gay and Lesbian Educators of BC (Canada) includes anti-homophobia lesson plans.

Round up support and use your networking skills.

• Professional organizations
• Student organizations
• Community organizations

Empower yourself by connecting with others, and pass it on. Many professional organizations for educators have some kind of resources in support of promoting diversity. There are also resources and organizations specifically for LGBT and allied educators.

Help students empower themselves by organizing their own support resources. Many schools have student-organized groups. Checkout the Gay-Straight Alliance Network.

Become aware of community organizations near you and on national and international levels that serve the LGBT community and promote diversity beyond the classroom.

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