This month’s School Health Programs Department campaign celebrates the contribution of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community. District approved bulletin board materials and curriculum that recognize the civil rights movement and historical achievements of the LGBTQ community are made available to all schools.
April also includes the National Day of Silence, which is an additional activity to create a safe school by raising awareness of the discrimination LGBTQ people face and how they are often silenced due to the fear of discrimination.
Schools should promote the District’s Anti-Slur and Anti-Discrimination policies.
Focus: POSITIVE IDENTITY
Asset #37-Personal Power, #38-Self-Esteem, #39-Sense of Purpose, #40-Positive View of Future
Young person feels control over personal future. Schools can work with Student Government and youth leadership groups to create Town Hall meetings where students can share beliefs and discuss youth issues in a safe environment.
Asset Building
Activities
- Asset #37- Encourage students to take a lead in organizing Gay Pride/anti-slur activities by providing space, resources and materials to coordinate events.
- Asset #37, #39 – Create a school wide Day of Silence activity in April to provide students with a powerful interactive experience to raise awareness of the discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons. Some schools set aside a ten minute silent period, while many others hold activities all day. Refer to Day of Silence activities created by School Health Programs Department for activity ideas and resources.
- Asset # 37, #38, #39, #40- Build students’ sense of personal power and self esteem by working with them to identify and coordinate a community service activity for Youth Service Day on April 21, 2006.
Other Youth Development Activities
to Implement Health Awareness
- Promote Ally Program by using materials made available by SHPD and encourage school members commit to Ally Pledge.
- Middle School and High School: Promote Gay Straight Alliance clubs on campus.
- Post bulletin board materials created by students or those made available by SHPD.
- Invite community based organizations to present LGBTQ issues and topics to students.
- Have students write articles celebrating gay persons, themes and events.
- High School: Students can attend the New Conservatory Theater Company’s performance of “Other Side of the Closet”.
- Middle School: Students can view Teen Files Flipped “Tolerance” video.
- Elementary School: Students can view “That’s a Family” video and participate in corresponding lessons.
For more information:
Contact Support Services for LGBTQ Students at 242.2615 and/or see the Support Services for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth program page.
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