SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Work with school coaches and physical education teachers to combat anti-LGBT language among students and staff, respond when anti-LGBT behavior occurs and create a safe environment within school athletics for LGBT students. Homophobia and heterosexism are often heavily present on the fields, in the gym, in locker rooms and at sporting events, and sports activities can be some of the most unwelcoming school programs for LGBT students. Some LGBT students, rather than risk facing harassment or assault, choose to avoid the athletics program altogether. Those LGBT athletes that do participate may learn to feel shame and self-hatred, and hide their identities at great psychological cost.
SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODES
Work to ensure that school uniforms or dress codes are gender-neutral, with the same set of rules and expectations for all students, regardless of gender. School uniforms and dress codes that require students to wear clothing deemed appropriate for their gender can restrict students' gender identity and gender expression, resulting in students feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome in their own school community.
SCHOOL EVENTS
Work to ensure that school events are inclusive of same-gender and gender-non-conforming couples. School events, such as proms, that limit student's guest/date choices to those of another gender can make students feel excluded and unwelcome. For example, if a prom limits a student's guest choices to someone of another gender, it may make students feel excluded and unwelcome. This may particularly be a problem in cases when they are explicitly told they cannot bring their same-gender guest or are refused entry because of their guest's gender.
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Work with school librarians to include LGBT-theme literature in the school library collection. Use GLSEN's BookLink (at http://www.glsen.org/educator), an online list of recommended books and video resources, to find grade-appropriate literature for your school library. School libraries are a wealth of information and con provide students with literature on many topics, including multicultural literature. Farr too often, however, even multicultural literature excludes LGBT people and history. Imagine being in your school library full of books about all peoples, except people like you. Leaving out LGBT people, history and events in the library can contribute to LGBT students feeling excluded from their school.
INTERNET FILTERS
Work with your school administrators to ensure that the internet filters are not impeding students from finding positive and helpful information about the LGBT community. Internet filters are often used in schools to block materials harmful to students, such as violent or pornographic sites, but they sometimes can block useful and necessary information. Students may be denied access to websites that have valuable LGBT-related resources, such as research, historical facts or support services for LGBT youth. And in some cases, students my be blocked from positive information but still have access to site condemning LGBT people.
SNAPSHOT - ANTI-LGBT BIAS IN SCHOOL
Vincent was an out, gay-identified senior at his town's only high school. Although he had occasionally experienced anti-gay name-calling and bullying in the school, he was well-liked and felt fairly comfortable at school. The senior prom was approaching and Vincent was worried that he wouldn't be allowed to bring his boyfriend and enjoy the special night with his fellow students. Vincent approached one of the teachers on the prom committee with his concerns. She promised Vincent that there wouldn't be a problem. After spending hours preparing and getting read for the prom, Vincent and his boyfriend were rudely told they would not be allowed in the prom on the grounds that all couples needed to be of the opposite sex, and that they should take their "offensive lifestyle" somewhere else.
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