Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (June 2013)

LGBT youth are routinely harassed because of their sexual orientation. According to the 2011 National School Climate Survey—a study conducted by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) that surveyed 8,584 middle and high school students - 8 out of 10 LGBT students (81.9%) experienced harassment at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, three fifths (63.5%) felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and nearly a third (29.8%) skipped a day of school in the past month because of safety concerns. This survey is "the culmination of 10 years of pioneering research" and is the only national survey that documents the experiences of students who identify as LGBT in America's secondary schools." 

In June 2011 President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, and said, "I call upon the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people."

In support of the goals of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, NCTSN has compiled a list of helpful links for educators, mental health and child welfare professionals, parents and caregivers, and youth.

Page Contents

• Featured NCTSN Resources
• For Educators
• For Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals
• For Parents and Caregivers
• For Youth
• NCTSN Member Resources

Featured NCTSN Resources

Child Sexual Abuse Speaker Series
One of the online training presentations in NCTSN’s Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma that features many experts in the field. Topics include: how to identify issues of risk, challenge, and strength specific to LGBTQ youth and young adults; how to develop strategies that balance personal beliefs with professional responsibilities; how to increase knowledge of and empathy for the unique stressors experienced by sexual- and gender-minority youth, their families, and caregivers; and how to better understand what is involved in coming out and the ways that can impact youth.

Culture and Trauma Brief (Vol. 1, No. 2): Trauma Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning Youth (2006) (PDF)
Facts and statistics about the LGBTQ youth community along with treatment recommendations.

Culture and Trauma Teleconference Series: Trauma Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Youth (2007) (Audio file/PPT)
A presentation whose objectives were to: 1) raise awareness about the degree of vulnerability to abuse and neglect that LGBT adolescents face; 2) discuss the stages of sexual identity development as they relate to LGBT youth; 3) identify barriers faced by LGBT adolescents in coming to terms with their sexuality; and 4) provide concrete interventions that can assist LGBT youth in safely exploring their sexuality.

Transforming Trauma in LGBT Youth Speaker Series
A year long series, part of online presentations in NCTSN’s Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma, that focuses on the LGBTQ population in various service systems and trauma types.

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For Educators

American Psychological Association

• Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel (2008) (PDF)
  Provides information and resources to help in responding “to a [then] recent upsurge in promotion of efforts to change sexual orientation through therapy and religious ministries. . . . Developed by a coalition of education, health, mental health, and religious organizations that share a concern for the health and education of all students in schools.”

COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere)
A national movement of children, youth, and adults who have at least one “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and/or queer (LGBTQ)” parent. Strives to “build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.”

• Tips for Making Classrooms Safer for Students with LGBTQ Parents (2013)
  Tips for teachers on safety and respect for youth with LGBTQ parents and for any student affected by homophobia and oppression.

GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network)
A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe schools for all students. Seeks to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and additional resources focus on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on GLSEN’s research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

• From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America–A National Report on School Bullying (2005) (PDF)  
  A survey of 3,400+ students aged 13–18 and 1,000+ secondary school teachers on the school environment for students—especially LGBT students—who are bullied and harassed.
• How Does Homophobia Hurt Us All? (2003) (PDF)
  Presents a list of scenarios and asks students to write a response on how "homophobia hurts us all."
• Ten Things Educators Can Do...To Ensure That Their Classrooms Are Safe Spaces For ALL Students (2005) (PDF)
  Provides action points intended to teach respect and safety for all students.
• The GLSEN Jump-Start Guide: Building and Activating Your GSA or Similar Student Club (2007) (PDF)
  Developed by "GLSEN’s student organizing team to support new and established Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and similar groups that are working to make schools safer and more inclusive for all students.” Eight sections (including “Strategies for Training Teachers” and “Examining Power, Privilege and Oppression”) were designed to help GSAs bring fresh and creative energy to their club; includes additional resources.

Mental Health America

• Bullying and Gay Youth
  Explains risks to the mental health and physical well-being of GBLT youth; includes ways their education is being affected; offers suggestions to help end bullying in schools; includes additional resources.

PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
A national nonprofit of 200,000+ members and supporters and 350+ affiliates in the US that “promotes the health and well-being of LGBT persons, their families, and friends through support, education, and advocacy.”

• The Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools For All Initiative (2012) 
  “Seeks to provide support, education, and advocacy to students, parents, families, friends, and educators to help them create a learning environment that is conducive to the educational success of all students.”

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For Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals

Advocates for Youth
“Champions efforts that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.”

• The Impact of Homophobia and Racism on GLBTQ Youth of Color (2007) (PDF)
  A fact sheet geared to those who work with youth. Includes information on homophobia; explains additional challenges faced by youth of color including HIV, pregnancy, sexual violence, racism, and homelessness; and stresses the importance of culturally competent education and health care programs and services.

Child Welfare League of America
A “coalition of hundreds of private and public agencies serving vulnerable children and families since 1920. Our expertise, leadership and innovation on policies, programs, and practices help improve the lives of millions of children in all 50 states.”

• CWLA Best Practice Guidelines: Serving LGBT Youth In Out-Of-Home Care (2006) (PDF)
  Guidelines for “agencies that are responsible for the care of LGBT youth in out-of-home care,” specifically directed to child welfare and juvenile justice professionals. Topics include: “Creating an Inclusive Organizational Culture,” “A Family-Centered Approach to Serving LGBT Youth," "Promoting Positive Adolescent Development,” “Collecting and Managing Confidential Information,” “Ensuring Appropriate Homes for LGBT Youth in Institutional Settings," "Providing Appropriate Health, Mental Health, and Education Services to LGBT Youth”; includes additional resources.

Family Builders
Family Builders mission is to help find permanent, loving families for children and youth in the foster care system.

• Guidelines for Managing Information Related to the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity and Expression of Children in Child Welfare Systems (2013) (PDF)
  Guidelines provide much-needed direction to child welfare agencies on how best to collect, record, and disclose information on the sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression of children and youth in foster care.

National Center for Cultural Competence

• Providing Services and Supports for Youth who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex or Two-Spirit (2008) (PDF)
  Geared to policy makers, administrators, and providers: provides information on this population; explains “how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services to meet their needs and preferences.”

Youth Development Project

• The Economic Well-Being of LGB Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care (2013) (PDF)
  This brief describes the characteristics and economic well-being of young people aging out of foster care who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB).
   

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For Parents and Caregivers

Family Equality Council
A “national organization that supports, represents and connects the 1 million parents in the United States who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and the 2 million children they are raising.”

• 52 ways to be OUTSpoken: A Once-a-Week Way to Advocate for Family Equality (2009) (PDF) 
  A fact sheet suggesting 52 ways (one for each week of the year) to promote visibility of —and to advocate for social change for—families with LGBTQ members.
• Talking to Children About Our Families (2007) (PDF)
  “Intended to support parents in responding to their children's (spoken and unspoken) questions as they come to understand who they are in the context of their family and who their family is in the context of their community.” Questions and answers presented are divided into three stages of child development (aged 3 and under, 4–7, and 8+).

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) 
A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe schools for all students. Seeks to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and additional resources focus on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on GLSEN’s research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

• Involved, Invisible, Ignored: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents and Their Children in Our Nation's K-12 Schools (2008) (PDF)
  A report on research documenting the “school-related experiences of both LGBT parents and students with LGBT parents.” Topics include parental involvement in schools, parent-child discussions about school, negative experiences with schools (e.g., student experiences of harassment, assault, and other mistreatment in school), and school-based resources and supports for LGBT families.

National Center for Cultural Competence

• Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Children (2009) (PDF)
  This brief brief was developed for families,caretakers, advocates, and providers to provide basic information and support to families and to share research.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
A national organization dedicated to building the grassroots power of the LGBT community by strengthening local LGBT activism in rural areas, small towns, and cities across the nation.

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For Youth

GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)
A leading legal rights organization whose mission is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.

• I'm Being Harassed at School? What Can I Do? (2012) (PDF)
  Steps that students who are identified (by themselves or others) as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can take to respond to harassment.

Safe Schools Coalition
An international public-private partnership in support of GLBT youth.

• GLBT Youth of Color: Resources for Parents/Guardians, Family Members, Educators and Allies
  Extensive listing of programs, support groups, services, hotlines, websites, books, and articles for parents/guardians, family members, educators, and allies of GLBT youth of color.
• The Toolkit for LGBT and Ally College Students & Organizations
  Web-based toolkit for LGBT and ally campus groups that provides “access to hundreds of resources that can be used to strengthen, develop, support, and expand college and university organizations.”

The Trevor Project
A national organization that provides “crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.”

• Trevor Lifeline
  Confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth: 1-(866)-488-7386 (24/7, toll free)

Youth Guardian Services
A youth-run nonprofit organization that provides support services on the Internet to GLBTQ and supportive youth.

YouthResource
A website by and for LGBTQ youth that “takes a holistic approach to sexual health and the exploration of issues of concern” to this population.

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NCTSN Member Resources

• Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership: eLearning site for Trauma-Informed Services for Runaway and Homeless Youth (2010)
  A free online resource offering “learning modules to help orient and educate direct services staff working with homeless youth.” The modules take a trauma-informed approach to  many issues including adolescent development; adolescent risk behavior; sexual orientation, gender identity, risk, and resilience in LGBTQ youth; self-injury; and substance abuse.
• My Identity, My SELF: Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Youth (2009) (PDF)
  A training and psychoeducation curriculum package that seeks to improve services for LGBTQ youth in residential treatment. The curriculum is guided by and informed with the language and principles of the Sanctuary Model—“a theory-based, trauma-informed, evidence-supported, whole culture approach that has a clear and structured methodology for creating or changing an organizational culture.” Modules are provided for treatment center staff, and for LGBTQ youth in treatment and their straight peers. Developed by the Center for Trauma Program Innovation at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, an NCTSN member. 

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