Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students | Edutopia

Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students | Edutopia 

The article titled “Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ+ Students” by Emelina Minero highlights the challenges that LGBTQIA+ students face in schools and discusses the efforts required to create inclusive and supportive environments.  Minero emphasizes that despite progress in LGBTQIA+ rights, many schools still struggle to adequately support LGBTQIA+ students. She highlights the disproportionate rates of bullying, harassment, and mental health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ students compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Minero discusses the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, both physically and emotionally. She emphasizes the need for schools to have clear policies that protect LGBTQIA+ students from discrimination and provide avenues for reporting and addressing incidents of bullying and harassment. She also acknowledges that supporting LGBTQIA+ students go beyond policies and requires a significant shift in school culture.  

Journal Prompt

• After reading the article, “Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students by Numbers”, by Emelina Minero, reflect on your own beliefs and perceptions about discussing matters related to the LGBTQIA+ community in the classroom. How have they been shaped by societal influences, personal experiences, or lack of exposure?  How has that influenced your level of comfort in discussing such topics with your students?