Lara Klopp

Step Three: Enlist the Assistance of the Pre-Existing Power Structure

Sources of Community Support Local LGBTQ+ parent organizations (Mayberry, 2012) Allies in the school district School board members Local pediatricians Local mental health providers Local NASW chapter President State-wide NASW President Local university Education Department professors/chair LGBTQ+ graduates of the school Administration from schools with a GSA Create an Advisory Board Especially if one isContinue reading “Step Three: Enlist the Assistance of the Pre-Existing Power Structure”

Step Two: Show the Proven Benefits of GSAs to Students and the School

Proven Benefits of GSAs to Individual Students LGBTQ students involved in GSAs reported that the GSA helped them with 3 types of empowerment. The first is empowerment through knowledge – they knew their rights, and how to advocate for them. The second is personal empowerment – GSAs help students improve their self esteem and developContinue reading “Step Two: Show the Proven Benefits of GSAs to Students and the School”

Step One: Demonstrate the Need for a GSA

With Statistics The first step to demonstrating need is presenting statistics showing just how dire the situation is for many LGBTQ+ youth in our society today. You will find a list of statistics that you can cite to your school administration and school board, and the sources of the statistics, below. Click here for aContinue reading “Step One: Demonstrate the Need for a GSA”

Actions Allies Can Take

Teachers and Administrators can be among the most influential people in the lives of LGBTQ+ students. In the Classroom Display your support in your classroom – the Safe Space symbol, rainbow colors, trans colors, non-binary colors, etc. (Swanson & Gettinger, 2015). Announce your preferred pronouns to your class and in your email signature. Announce GSAContinue reading “Actions Allies Can Take”

School Anti-Bullying Policy

First, Ensure that Your School’s Anti-Bullying Policy Specifies Protections for LGBTQ+ Students It is vital to specifically designate anti-bullying protections for students based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Schools must first ensure that their anti-bullying policy enumerates protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Such enumerations clearly reduceContinue reading “School Anti-Bullying Policy”

Staff-Wide Training Guide

The Summary: Why to Train Teachers, Administration, and Staff on LGBTQ+ Issues One important action school administrators can take on the path to making their schools more accepting of LGBTQ+ diversity is the training of teachers, staff, and even themselves! WHY train about LGBTQ+-related issues? Because training teachers and staff on those issues is oneContinue reading “Staff-Wide Training Guide”

LGBTQ+ Language Guide

Up-to-Date Terminology Links LGBTQ+ preferred terminology is ever-evolving, so instead of trying to provide the most up-to-date terminology information here, I’ve linked to two websites which strive to update their language guides to keep up with the times. Comprehensive* List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions LGBTQ and You – An Introductory Glossary of Terms and UsageContinue reading “LGBTQ+ Language Guide”

Proposal Letters and Mission Statements

GSA Proposal Letters The page on Proposal Letters gives you ideas how to write your GSA proposal, and directs you to resources on the site that will help you demonstrate why a GSA would be good for your students and your school as a whole. Mission Statements The page on Mission Statements has some sampleContinue reading “Proposal Letters and Mission Statements”