Dealing with Homophobia In Schools Pennsylvania School Counselors Presented by Thomas G Sechrist tgsechristverizonnet 610 4306513 ID: 293756
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Slide1
The Invisible Minority:
Dealing with Homophobia
In SchoolsSlide2
Pennsylvania School Counselors
Presented by:
Thomas G. Sechrist
tgsechrist@verizon.net
(610) 430-6513
Slide3
Terminologyand Definitions
Homophobia
Prejudice, discrimination, harassment, or acts of violence against sexual minorities, evidenced by a deep-seated fear or hatred of those who love or sexually desire those of the same sexSlide4
Definitions
Internalized Homophobia
The experience of shame, guilt, or self-hatred in reaction to one’s own feelings of sexual attraction for a person of the same genderSlide5
Levels of Homophobia
Revulsion
Pity
Tolerance
Acceptance
Support
Admiration
Appreciation
CelebrationSlide6
Definitions
Heterosexism
A belief in the superiority of heterosexuals or heterosexuality evidenced by the exclusion, by omission or design, of non-heterosexual persons in policies, procedures, events, or activitiesSlide7
Sexual Orientation
One component of a person’s identity
Falls along a continuum
Describes one’s attraction to a gender
Determined before birth or early in lifeSlide8
Statistics
26% of adolescent gay males report having to leave home as a result of conflicts with their family over sexual orientation
42% of homeless youth self-identify as gay or lesbian
Gay and lesbian youth represent 30% of all completed suicides
46% of gay/lesbian adolescents suffered violence from their families, peers, and/or strangersSlide9
Statistics
28% of gay men/lesbians drop out of school
31% of lesbians/gay men showed signs of alcoholism, a rate three times higher than non-gay adults
80% of adolescent lesbians use alcohol, 56 % use other drugs, and 11% use crack and/or cocaineSlide10
Statistics
19% of gay college men attempt suicide versus 6% of heterosexual college men
72% of males involved in prostitution identify as gay/bisexual
80% of gay men/lesbian/bisexual youth report severe isolation
50% of all gay and lesbian youth report that their parents rejected them due to their sexual orientationsSlide11
Research andCauses of Homosexuality
Research Theories Include
:
Brain
Studies
Finger Length
Birth Order
Hormone Types and Levels
Two-Trait ProfilesSlide12
Typical-Student-Body Exercise
Gay, lesbian, or bisexual students – 6%
Students with a g/l/b sibling – 6%
Students with a g/l/b parent – 3%
Students who will have a g/l/b child – 12%
Gender non-conforming students – 20%
Student forced sexually by other gender – 12%Slide13
Typical-Student-Body Exercise
Student forced sexually by same gender – 2%
Student experienced same sex touch – 23%
Student sexually proving not g/l/b -15%
Student avoiding being harassed – 75%
Student witnessing anti-gay verbal or physical violence – 95%Slide14
National School Climate Survey
Verbal harassment – 84%
Physical harassment – 40%
Hear anti-gay comments – 90%
No intervention – 85%
No state law protection based on orientation – 75%
No local policy protection – 66%Slide15
Adolescence
Search of identity
Development of intimacy with others
Task of moving from childhood to adulthood
Transition from family to friends
Finding oneself as sexual and romantic being
Making decisions about work and careerSlide16
Gay and Lesbian Adolescence
Adjustment to socially stigmatized role
Search of identities relative to sexual orientation
Awareness of being different from peers
Dealing with coming out process
Handling overt internalized homophobia
Sub-standard education
Process of oppressionSlide17
Lesbian and Gay
Identity Development Models
Pre-Coming Out Stage – Sensitization
Identity Confusion
Identity Comparison or Redefinition
Identity Assumption or Tolerance
Identity Acceptance
Identity Pride
Identity Synthesis or CommitmentSlide18
Coming Out Process
Ask Yourself
Am
I sure I’m GLBT?
Why
am I coming out?
Am
I comfortable with myself?
Can
I be patient with other people’s reactions?
External Factors
Is
it safe for you to come out?
What
is your home environment like?
Do
you have a support system?Slide19
Coming Out Process
Coming Out
Why
?
Who
do I tell first?
Be
prepared. Do your research.
Be
patient.
Pick
a good time
.
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst
PracticeSlide20
Coming Out Process
Checklist
I
am ready and I am comfortable with myself.
I’ve asked myself why I want to come out, and I’m sure it’s for the right reasons.
I’m ready to deal with the outcome
.
I’m ready to provide the information
I have a support systemSlide21
Coming Out Process
Reactions
How
do you know
?
It’s just a phase.
Why are you doing this to me?
It’s your choice to be this way.
You’re just saying that because you think it’s cool.Slide22
Coming Out Process
But
your life is going to be so hard.
But I always thought you’d get married and I’d have grandchildren.
It’s just wrong.
How am I supposed to deal with this?
Slide23
When Someone Comes Out to You
Be a role model of acceptance.
Ask questions that demonstrate compassion.
Appreciate the person’s courage and trust.
Have a sense of humor.
Offer support.
Be prepared to give a referral.
Listen, listen, listen.
Assure confidentiality.
Don’t personalize.
Ask.
Remember everyone’s rights.Slide24
Coming Out Issues
Excitement and Pride
Confusion and Uncertainty
Peer Group Relations
Family Relations
Religious and Cultural Conflict
School Career
Lack of Role Models
Legal Questions
Group Identity
Safer Sex InformationSlide25
Transgenderism
StatisticsTerminology
Transexual
Sexual reassignment surgery
Gender
Dysphoria
Intersexual Individuals
Cross DressersSlide26
Transgenderism
Terminology (
cont.
)
Transvestites
Drag Queens
She-males
Female Impersonator
Gender Bender
Slide27
Transgenderism
Biological SexGender Identity
Not sexual orientation
Not about sex
Sex-biological
Gender-Behavioral/Social/Psychological
Slide28
Transgenderism
Sex Determinants Biological
Chromosomes
Hormones
Gonads
Internal Sexual Reproductive Organs
External OrgansSlide29
Transgenderism
Social/Psychological
Gender of Rearing
Gender Role
Gender Identity
Causes
Nature (Heredity)
Nurture (Environment)
Nature & Nurture
Slide30
Transgenderism
Names Christine
Jergensen
1950’s
Renee Richards
1966- Dr. Harry Benjamin
The Transsexual Phenomena
1965- 1st SRS – University of Minnesota
Slide31
What One Individual Can Do
Educate yourself
Recognize and change your own homophobia and heterosexism
Create a safe and equitable workspace
Address homophobic language and behavior
Develop bias awareness and inclusive language in your work settingSlide32
Effective Response
“Hey, James! Faggot is a word that insults gay and lesbian people. I want to remind you that there are gay and lesbian youth everywhere, and when you use words like that, you make them feel insulted and unwelcome. It’s important that every individual feels safe and welcome, wherever they are. Don’t use that word anymore.”Slide33
What Can an Organization Do?
Do Not Assume Heterosexuality
Guarantee equality
Create a Safe Environment
Provide Support for Youth and Families
Reassess and integrate safety and inclusive policies and practicesSlide34
What Can an Organization Do?
- cont.
Broaden Programming to be More Inclusive
Diversify library and media collections
Provide training for faculty and staff
Provide appropriate sexuality and health care education
Lobby and support organizations and legislaturesSlide35
Practices, Policies and Strategies
Self-Select “Like” Groupings
Identify Facilitator, Timekeeper, Recorder and Reporter
Brainstorm Ideas for Change
Choose Two Possibilities
Develop Timeline and Action Steps for ImplementationSlide36
Resources
Internet WebsitesBooks and Print
DVDs and Movies
Organizations
Personal Connections and Networking
Educational and Institutional Media CentersSlide37
Acceptance of Diversity, generally understood and embraced, is not casual liberal tolerance of anything and everything not yourself. It is not polite accommodation. Instead it is in action, the sometimes painful awareness that other people, other races, other voices, other habits of mind, have as much integrity of being, as much claim on the world as you do…and I urge you amid all the differences present to the eye and mind, to reach out to create that bond that will protect us all.
We are meant to be here together.
William M. Chase from The Language of Action