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More Than a Safe Space HOW SCHOOLS CAN ENABLE LGBTQ STUDENTS to THRIVE PAGE 4 VOL. 40, NO. 4 | WINTER 2016–2017 www.aft.org /ae More Than a Safe Space HOW SCHOOLS CAN ENABLE LGBTQ STUDENTS TO THRIVE PAGE 4 24 30 34 Understanding Bullying The Issue of “Teacher Quality” Safe and Healthy School Buildings WHERE WE STAND We Must Keep Widening the Circle of Inclusion RANDI WEINGARTEN, AFT President Given the outcome and aftermath of the As Michael Sadowski writes in this people, others in his administration have recent presidential election, you might issue, educators and policymakers must expressed antigay views. Indiana Governor expect that to be the focus of this column. do more than simply ensure that schools and Vice President-elect Mike Pence last I will address the moment we are in, but are safe for LGBTQ students and staff. The year pushed through legislation that allows in an unconventional way, by starting school environment should also be such businesses to refuse to serve gay customers with why more than half of the articles in that everyone feels affirmed and and enables corporations to deny insur- this edition of American Educator respected. The articles in the following ance coverage to LGBTQ people. Trump’s concern LGBTQ issues in schools. It’s not pages about Gay-Straight Alliances and choice to head the Education Department, uncommon for this journal to publish other forms of faculty and peer support Betsy DeVos, and her family have given multiple articles focused primarily on a single theme, but why LGBTQ issues, and why now? Because the country is at an inflection point. The last 10 years, Public schools often lead the way for the broader culminating with the marriage equality decisions in the U.S. Supreme Court, have society in modeling inclusiveness and pluralism. seen a tidal wave of changes in public opinion in this country, from vilifying to affirming people who are gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, queer, or show effective ways schools can promote hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups questioning. the social, emotional, physical, and that push “conversion therapy” and other These victories and protections for academic well-being of LGBTQ students. antigay views. Alabama Senator Jeff LGBTQ people, including students, Public schools often lead the way for the Sessions, whom Trump has selected to tragically but perhaps predictably have broader society in modeling inclusive- serve as attorney general, the nation’s top been met with a backlash, notably the ness and pluralism. law enforcement official, has a record so rash of so-called bathroom bills restrict- We cannot mandate or legislate hostile to gay rights that the Human Rights ing the rights of transgender and tolerance and acceptance. But we can pass Campaign gave him a zero percent voting gender-nonconforming people. And we laws and policies that prohibit discrimina- record. And when Trump’s chief strategist, stand at the outset of a new presidential tion, and, as history has shown, attitudes Steve Bannon, headed up Breitbart News, administration, about which many will begin to shift. The Office for Civil the website ran articles with headlines like supporters of LGBTQ rights have grave Rights in President Obama’s Education “Gay Rights Have Made Us Dumber, It’s concerns. Department has urged schools to extend Time to Get Back in the Closet.” Our obligation as educators is to make antibullying policies to cover LGBTQ The recent presidential election schools safe and welcoming places for students. The office cited Title IX, the exposed troubling fault lines and every member of the school community— federal law that prohibits discrimination unleashed alarming demonstrations of whether for LGBTQ students and staff, based on gender, to protect the right of hatred and bigotry. But the story of immigrants and refugees, students with transgender students to use the bathrooms America, at its best, is one of an ever- special needs, or any other student who and locker rooms that correspond to the widening circle of inclusion, with each for whatever reason feels vulnerable. I gender they identify with. The Supreme generation showing a greater openness to feel that very personally. While I am a Court ruling that the Constitution guaran- communities once excluded. Trump said lesbian who is openly gay and now leads tees a right to same-sex marriage stated he will be president for all Americans, a major labor union, the American that “No longer may this liberty be denied” millions of whom are LGBTQ and many Federation of Teachers (and the United to gays and lesbians. But they are denied millions more of whom are people who Federation of Teachers before that), I was other liberties, and comprehensive federal love and support them. Trump and his quite closeted as a child and young adult. nondiscrimination protections still must administration must protect the rights of We must build on the progress we have be put in place. all people—regardless of their race, made toward recognizing and protecting Many people are worried that recent religion, sexual orientation, or gender the rights of all people, and that is even progress could be reversed in Donald identity—and help everyone feel safe and more important given the results of the Trump’s administration. While Trump is welcome as they go about their lives, presidential election. not known for personal antipathy for gay particularly in our public schools. AMERICAN EDUCATOR | WINTER 2016–2017 1 Download this issue for free at www.aft.org/ae. VOL. 40, NO. 4 | WINTER 2016–2017 www.aft.org /ae OUR MISSION TheAmerican Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions 4 More Than a Safe Space fairness; democracy; economic How Schools Can Enable LGBTQ Students to Thrive opportunity; and high-quality public By Michael Sadowski education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families Nearly 30 years ago, burgeoning efforts to improve schools for gay and lesbian and our communities. We are committed youth strictly focused on safety. But today, amid growing support for LGBTQ to advancing these principles through rights and the legalization of gay marriage nationwide, the time has come for community engagement, organizing, educators and policymakers to move past simply ensuring that schools are safe for collective bargaining and political LGBTQ students and work toward creating schools that affirm and respect them. activism, and especially through the work our members do. RANDI WEINGARTEN President LORRETTA JOHNSON Secretary-Treasurer MARY CATHRYN RICKER Executive Vice President 10 Gay-Straight Alliances 24 Understanding AMY M. HIGHTOWER Editor Promoting Student Resilience Bullying Behavior JENNIFER DUBIN and Safer School Climates What Educators Should Managing Editor By V. Paul Poteat Know and Can Do MIKE ROSE Contributing Writer By Elizabeth Kandel Englander Research suggests that Gay- SEAN LISHANSKY JANE NUSBAUM Straight Alliances—school-based A researcher explains how Copyeditors extracurricular groups for LGBTQ teachers can identify and effec- LAWRENCE W. MCMAHON students and their peer allies—can tively respond to bullying and Editorial Assistant JENNIFER CHANG help students learn about LGBTQ cyberbullying. Art Director issues, advocate for equity and JENNIFER BERNEY justice, and feel safe and 30 In Defense of Educators Production Coordinator supported. AMERICAN EDUCATOR (ISSN 0148-432X, USPS 008-462) The Problem of Idea Quality, is published quarterly by the American Federation of Not “Teacher Quality” Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-2079. Phone: 202-879-4400. www.aft.org 15 Coming Out in By E. D. Hirsch, Jr. High School Letters to the editor may be sent to the address above Instead of benefiting from a or to [email protected]. How One Gay-Straight Alliance AMERICAN EDUCATOR cannot assume responsibility for coherent, cumulative, and content- Supports Students unsolicited manuscripts. rich curriculum, public education By Kristina Rizga Please allow a minimum of four weeks for copyright has been harmed by misguided permission requests. A journalist tells the story of a reforms, including value-added Signed articles do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or policies of the AFT. student named Pablo, who comes teacher evaluation. AMERICAN EDUCATOR is mailed to AFT teacher out in San Francisco. members as a benefit of membership, and to faculty in colleges of education. Subscriptions represent $2.50 34 A Matter of Health of annual dues. Non-AFT members may subscribe by 20 The Professional Educator and Safety mailing $10 per year by check or money order to the address below. How I Support LGBTQ+ Improving Teaching and Learning MEMBERS: To change your address or subscription, Students at My School Conditions in Schools notify your local union treasurer or visit www.aft.org/ By Taica Hsu By Jerry Roseman members. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American A math teacher explains his role as A director of environmental science Educator, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-2079. advisor for his high school’s and occupational safety and health Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC, and Gay-Straight Alliance. shares how school district and union additional mailing offices. officials, as well as teachers, parents, 23 How Educators Address and community members, can work © 2016 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO Bias in School together to ensure that school Cover illustration: By GLSEN buildings are safe. JING JING TSONG 2 AMERICAN EDUCATOR | WINTER 2016–2017 Download this issue for free at www.aft.org/ae. NEWS IN BRIEF NAACP AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TRANSGENDER CASE The NAACP ratified a resolution this fall calling for a moratorium The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a transgender on the expansion of privately managed charter schools and an student who identifies as a boy and wants to be allowed to use the increase in charter school transparency and accountability. “We boys’ bathroom at his Virginia high school.
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