Super Allies: How to Support LGBTQ Youth

Super Allies: How to
Support LGBTQ Youth
Jenn Jevertson, MS & LuzMarina Serrano
Santa Fe Mountain Center’s
NM Gay Straight Alliance
Overview
• Understanding Terms
• Impact of Language
• Challenges & Risk Factors
• Protective Factors
• How to be a “Super Ally”
Gender & Sexuality
*Please note that the
creator of this visual
co-opted this idea
from another existing
source.
Gender & Sexuality
Circular Spectrum
both
Birth Sex
Gender Identity
Gender Expression
male
female
Sexual Orientation
neither
Terms
LGBTQ (or LGBTQQIFGOP…..)
Sexual Orientation
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Polysexual,
Pansexual/Omnisexual, Asexual
Gender Identity
- Male, Female, Transgender, Transexual, Intersex, Genderqueer,
Gender Non-Conforming
Other terms
- Two Spirit (2S), Fluid
1. Best Friend
5. Hopes &
Aspirations
2. Family
Member
YOU
4. Job/ Career
3. Community
Group
Risk Factors
• Bullying
• Mental Health
• Suicide
• Risky Behavior
•
School Climate (attendance, grades, slurs)
• School Pushout
• Documentation status
Risk Factors:
School Climate
Risk Factors:
Derogatory Language
Risk Factors:
Bullying Behavior
High
2013 High School NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey:
Did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on
their way to or from school:
-Straight = 4.9%
Were electronically bullied:
- LGB = 14.9%
-Straight = 10.9%
-
LGB = 27.6%
Were bullied on school property:
LGB = 32.3%
-Straight = 16.2%
-
Risk Factors:
Derogatory Language
NMGSAN’s 2013 School Climate Survey:
91% hear anti-LGBTQ slurs; 48%
hear several
times a day
39% hear anti-LGBTQ slurs made by school staff
How often do school staff step in when they hear anti-LGBTQ
slurs?
17% “never”
35% “rarely”
28% “sometimes”
Risk Factors:
Risk Behaviors
• Risk behaviors (e.g. drugs, alcohol, etc) among gay or lesbian
students was a median of 64% higher than heterosexual
students.
Risk Factors:
School Pushout
• School Pushout = school policies, practices and procedures that make it more likely for students
to leave school instead of finish it.
• These include “zero tolerance”, harsh discipline, unsafe schools and schools with lots of police
but little money or resources.
• Disproportionately impact LGBTQ students, students of color, immigrant students, and students
with disabilities.
• Students who get pushed out are more likely to end up in jail or juvenile detention.
3x
LGBT youth are more likely to
experience criminal justice and
school sanctions than straight
students.
Risk Factors:
Suicide
Risk Factors:
Homelessness
• 20-40% of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and/or transgender.
Risk Factors:
Documentation Status
UNDOCUQUEER = undocumented + queer
1.8 million undocumented youth (as
of 2012)
risk of separation of families
restricted access to some resources
Protective Factors
• GSA Clubs
• Safe Zone Programs
• Supportive Adult Allies
Protective Factors:
Gay Straight Alliance Clubs (GSAs)
• hear fewer homophobic remarks
• greater sense of school connectedness
• less likely to report feeling unsafe
• experience less victimization
• school personnel intervene more often when
hearing homophobic remarks
Protective Factors:
Safe Zone/Safe Space Programs
• A program often adopted by school/district that involves trainings
for volunteers and education/awareness
• Originated in the 1990’s on college campus to promote safety
and inclusion of LGBTQ students
• Now adopted by elementary, middle, high schools and often
includes other categories of discrimination/bias
Protective Factors:
Supportive Adult Allies
• LGBTQ students feel safer
• LGBTQ students perform better academically
- higher grade point averages
- better attendance
- more likely to say they plan to pursue post-secondary school
5 Ways to be an Ally
1.
2.
Intervene when you see bullying or harassment of any type, especially
towards LGBTQ youth.
Stop all derogatory language, especially directly or indirectly towards
LGBTQ youth.
3.
Use inclusive language; don’t assume – Use “significant other” or
“person you’re interested in” vs. “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.”
4.
Support the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) in your school.
5.
Be a visibly supportive educator/staff. (Join the “Safe Zone” Program
and/or put up a “Safe Zone” sign.)
How do I be more LGBTQ
inclusive?
1.
2.
Role model positive and inclusive attitudes towards LGBTQ
people.
Celebrate GLSEN Days of Action (LGBTQ History Month (Oct),
National Day of Silence, No Name Calling Week, Coming Out Day,
etc).
3.
Learn about and share examples of historical LGBTQ people and
events.
4.
Include LGBTQ relationships in health and sexuality education.
Contact Us
Santa Fe Mountain Center’s
NM GSA Network
www.santafemc.org/nmgsan
LuzMarina Serrano
Program Coordinator
505-983-6158 x30
[email protected]