Advice for Teachers
Making sure students are comfortable within their educational setting is so important for them to feel happy and welcomed in their school environment. We produce our best work when we are happy. Inclusivity is incredibly important and here's how you can adapt certain aspects to welcome any LGBTQ+ students.
LGBTQ+ in Schools
Information about UK Students
- Two in five LGBT students (42%) have hidden their identity at university for fear of discrimination.
- More than a third of trans students (36%) and seven per cent of lesbian, gay and bi students who aren’t trans faced negative comments or conduct from university staff because they’re LGBT.
- More than a quarter of LGBT students (28%) say they were excluded by other students for being LGBT.
Information about US Students
- 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- 38% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming, meaning that 62% of young people didn't feel accepted in their own homes.
- 67% of LGBTQ young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and 54% experienced symptoms of depression
Making LGBTQ+ students feel accepted.
What can we do?
- Ask students their names and pronouns. Leave options for a preferred name also! This can be done on a sheet of paper as an icebreaker or can be done as an introduction exercise. A supportive teaching environment is beneficial to LGBTQ+ youth in terms of education as well as overall mood in school.
- You can introduce this by writing your name and pronouns on the board or on a badge that you wear. Wearing a rainbow badge or a LGBTQ+ support flag is a great signal to any LGBTQ+ student that you are accepting.
- Call out homophobia, bullying or targeting of students or staff if it is seen and report it to the correct authority. Homophobic bullying is still prominent within schools, as many people from many different backgrounds may have different opinions on the topic. This behaviour should not be ignored. If you see it, report it immediately. For the safety of the victim, it is paramount it is reported whenever it is seen.
- Encourage LGBTQ+ Education within schools. Whether it is in assembly or one lesson ever few months, LGBTQ+ education is extremely important. The history as well as the present. This also teaches young people about different aspects of human identity and sexuality. This can provide a valuable lesson to those who are discovering who they are, as well as teaching respect towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
Online Resources
Pride in Education UK
Pride in Education UK
Pride in Education UK
Pride in Education UK is an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ inclusion and celebration in all aspects of education.
This website offers information as well as learning resources for the classroom that are free for use.
There are also resources here for parents which may be helpful for any families asking for support through their child's school.
Schools OUT
Pride in Education UK
Pride in Education UK
Schools OUT is a charity that has been supporting LGBTQ+ education since November 1974. They promote LGBTQ+ education as a whole school/organisation approach, increasing the visibility of LGBT+ History and people in all our diversity.
This site is full of information and support links for staff, student and parents.