Diversity Presentation

On: Homophobia

By
Mackenzie
Mead
 What is Homophobia
To understand homophobia, and how it affects students. We have to first define the term. There are many
definitions of the word, yet few get the point across. Deevia Bhana writes, “there is no uniform definition of
what constitutes homophobia but it includes a dislike, fear, avoidance, and denial of homosexuality”(Bhana
p.1). Here are a few definitions that may help us get a better understanding of the term.

● “ Homophobia- an aversion or hostility to, dislike for, or fear of gay sexual orientation or gay
people.(dictionary.com)”
● “ Homophobia- a strong prejudice, ( unreasonable dislike) against gay people. (oxford definition)”
● “ Homophobia- irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or gay people.
(Webster definition)”
● “ Homophobia- Is the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or
bisexual. (planned parenthood)”
 Homophobia And The School System
Since 2002 the department of education has identified social transformation, human
rights, and equality as an important principle in education transformation” (Bhana p.2).
Even though many schools now recognize the importance of equality there is still much
to be done. Here are some quick and easy steps a school system can do to insure the
best quality of education for those LGBTQ+ students.

● The first step for any school system is addressing homophobia, and understanding
how it affects those enrolled in their schools.
● The second step would be reflecting on what is already being done, and if enough.
● The next step is discovering what still can be done to help combat homophobia.
● The last step is to implement new programs and use the resources available.
 How Has Homophobia Impacted Students
In a every person's life school can have either a positive and negative effect on them. For most student
of the LGBTQ+ community the biggest battle they face during their education is bullying. Bullying can
have a negative effect on everyone, however it can be much more damaging for those in the LGBTQ+
community. This is due to the urgent issue of violent bullying toward LGBTQ+ students. “Three out of ten
young people say violence has increased in their schools” (Kimmel p.1440) Often this violence leads to
school shootings. “All or most shooters, (who are male) have tales of being harrassed, specifically for
being gay, or not measuring up to norms of masculinity” (Kimmel p. 1440). Having someone constantly
harass you can do a number on you mentaly. For men this usually turns to violence and depression.
Women too can become aggressive but it's more likely they would fall into a deep depressive state.
Depression in teens can often lead to susiside. The impact of homophobia on students can send them into a
lifetime of pain and anguish. It's our jobs as educators to identify these issues and support these
impressionable students. By supporting a member of the LGBTQ+ community you could save a life!
 Homophobia: The Impact On Teachers And Staff
The students are not the only ones being affected by homophobia in schools. There are many LGBTQ+ teachers
and staff that also deal with everyday homophobia. Taelor Rye writes about his students and how they are not the
only ones being affected by homophobia. Rye is an educator who rights about his experiences at new school, and
how he experienced homophobia from both students and staff. Because of his experience he conducts interviews with
other LGBTQ+ educators from may differents school districts. The interview that stands out to Rye the most was an
interview with a participant who was highly esteemed within his district. The participant was a teacher at the same
school for two years. After the switch of the schools administration he started to be pulled into the office. This
happened multiple times due to an parents issue with his homosexuality. This happened to him 3 times until they
finally told him to pack his belongings. He then said how in a meeting, “The human resources director yelled in my
face, and told me I was unprofessional. I was too flamboyant and everyone knew I was gay… They basically told be
to resign or they were going to fire me so I did. I don't ever want to teach again” (Rye p184) This interview was
unbelievable to Rye and honestly im pretty shocked myself. As I continued to read through Rye’s work it was sad to
see how many educators are scared to come out in fear of losing their job. It goes to show there are more people
struggling within school districts than people realize, and it's not just the students being bullied.
 Are Schools Doing Enough?
Unfortunately I believe not enough is being done in schools to combat bullying toward the
LGBTQ+. Mosso a critic, reviewed a book called Interrupting hate by blackburn. In this book
blackburn explains how schools are not taking bullying toward the LGBTQ+ community seriously
and why things are not getting better. Mosso says this book does a great job focussing on the problem.
These problems include.
● “Schools are not providing stories of students who feel the impact of the daily abuse that
LGBTQ+ students face in schools. (Mosso p.1)”
● “Teachers being considered allies yet sometimes fail to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ+.
(Mosso p.1)”
- Mosso backs this statement up by explaining “Less than ⅕ of students, (surveyed by blackburn;
for her book interrupting hate) reported that school personal intervien when homophobic
remarks are made in their presents.”
- This mean more than ⅘ never see teacher stand up for the LGBTQ+ students. This shows most of
the time teacher are not doing anything to help their LGBTQ+ students.
 What Can Schools Do To Battle Homophobia?
Teachers recognize that they can help to improve the experience of the LGBTQ+
community in their schools but often don't know how. One of the best things a teacher can
do is utilize resources available to them. There are many resources available to teachers,
and schools to help combat homophobia. Some of these include:

● The Attic
● The trevor project
● Glsen
● Equality federation
 The Attic
The Attic Youth Center creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults
within a safe and supportive community, and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.

- In 1993 two graduate students founded the attic in philadelphia. The attic started out as a weekly, after-school support
group for LGBTQ youth, who met in the “attic” of a social service organization. “From what was once a weekly support
group, The Attic has grown into a nationally recognized, multi-service youth organization, and is now one of the largest
community centers in the U.S. committed exclusively to serving LGBTQ youth and allies” (Attic mission page)
- The Attic offers a variety of programming and activities for LGBTQ youth and youth allies all in a safe and supportive
space, as well as education services to organizations through innovative and engaging workshops and trainings. These
include:
● Youth Programs
● Life Skills Center
● Supportive Services
● Community Engagement & Social Activities
● Counseling Program
 Trevor project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention
services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. The Trevor project was founded in 1998
by Peggy Rajski, Randy Stone, and Celeste Lecesne. The organization started as a inspirational film about a boy
named trevor for a film festival, and turned into a renowned resource for those in the LGBTQ+ community. The
trevor project offers many life saving resources including:

● Suicide prevention
● Coming out handbooks
● Ally community
● Trevor support center
- Trevor lifeline
- Trevor chat
- Trevor text
- Trevor space

The trevor project also offers many resources for schools and teachers.
 Glsen
“GLSEN offers tools and resources to thousands of educators who seek to make their
classrooms and schools a safe place for all students. Based on 25+ years of experience and
research, GLSEN boasts a robust educator training program with a series of modules
curated to cover an array of topics suitable for a diverse range of audiences” (Glsen p1).
● This organization believes, when educators are visibly supportive of LGBTQ
students, everyone benefits.
● Their research shows that supportive educators can have a significant positive impact
on LGBTQ students’academically, as well as psychologically.
● “GLSEN Professional Development aims to empower educators to act in allyship
with LGBTQ students” (Glsen p.1)
 The Equality Federation
“The equality federation; is the movement builder, and strategic partner to state-based
organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ people” (Equality Fed.). This orginization
collaborates on critical issues such as
● Workplace fairness
● Family recognition
● Defeating anti-transgender bathroom bans
● HIV criminalization laws
● Along with many other issues impacting our community; such as racial equity,
reproductive justice, and immigration.
The Equality Federation also keeps current uptodate records on LGBTQ+ news, laws,
hearings, protest, donation sites, volunteer sites, and so much more.
 Conclusion
“When teachers are committed to teaching all students; they understand that threw
their teaching change can occur, then transformation is great” (bhana p.2).

Every person in this world deserves love and compassion. As educators we can have a
profound impact on our students. It doesn't take effort to provide a safe place for our
students, and if we use the resources available we could even be saving a life. All life is
precious and everyone deserves happiness! Thank you.
 Resources
Bhana, Deevia. “Understanding and Addressing Homophobia in Schools: a View from Teachers.” SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, Education Association of South Africa, Nov. 2016,
www.sajournalofeducation.co.za.

“The Attic Youth Center.” Https://Www.atticyouthcenter.org/, 2021.

“Educator Resources.” GLSEN, www.glsen.org/educator-resources.

“Home.” Equality Federation, 3 Jan. 2021, www.equalityfederation.org/.

“Homophobia.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/homophobia?s=t.

“Homophobia.” Homophobia Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation and Usage Notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com,
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/homophobia.

“Homophobia.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homophobia.

Kimmel, Michael S, and Matthew Mahler, . “The American Behavioral Scientist; Thousand Oaks.” Adolescent Masculinity, Homophobia, and Violence: Random School Shootings, 1982-2001, vol. 46,
no. 10, June 2003, pp. 1439–1458., doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.library.csn.edu/10.1177/0002764203046010010.

Mosso-Taylor, Sabina. Interrupting Hate: Homophobia in Schools and What Literacy Can Do about It, vol. 91, no. 2, Nov. 2013, pp. 116–118.

Parenthood, Planned. “What Is Homophobia?” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation/what-homophobia.

Rye, Taelor. Feather Boas, Black Hoodies, and John Deere Hats: a Discussions of Diversity in K-12 and Higher Education, by Joseph R. Jones, Brill | Sense, 2017, pp. 181–185.

Stephen T. Russell. "Challenging Homophobia in Schools: Policies and Programs for Safe School Climates Desafiando a Homofobia Nas Escolas: Políticas E Programas Para Climas Escolares
Seguros." Educar Em Revista 39 (2011): 123-38. Web.

“Saving Young LGBTQ Lives.” The Trevor Project, 18 Feb. 2021, www.thetrevorproject.org/.