Information technology doesn't matter if information technology's a kickoff grader who might not know what the discussion "gay" means, a sixth grader trying to sound absurd, or a 10th grader "teasing" a friend. All of these have the potential of creating an unsafe classroom or school environs and must be addressed. So, what can caring adults do?

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Stop Information technology …

Keep it elementary with quick responses:

  • "Retrieve, we don't employ put-downs in this form."
  • "Practice yous know what 'gay' means?"
  • "Information technology's not OK at this schoolhouse to employ 'gay' disrespectfully to mean something is bad."
  • "You may non have meant to be hurtful, just when you employ the give-and-take 'gay' to mean something is bad or stupid, it is hurtful."  Follow-upwardly: "Practice you lot know why it is hurtful?"
  • "Using the word 'homo' to tease someone is harassment and is unacceptable."
  • "Even if you lot didn't mean to offend people who are gay, it is offensive to call this assignment gay (or queer); if you don't like something, then say you don't similar information technology!
  • "Information technology is never OK to say, 'yous act similar a girl (or look like a boy)' as a put-down."
  • "Using the words 'queer', 'dyke' or 'fag' to joke around is not OK. These are hurtful words and can impact anyone who overhears them."
  • "Information technology doesn't matter who said information technology, I don't desire to hear that kind of language again. Is that clear?"

Don't Ignore It …

  • Harassment does not go away on its ain.
  • Ignoring mean proper name-calling and hurtful teasing allows it to continue and possibly get worse.
  • If other students practice not see activity, they become the message in that location is nothing wrong with information technology.
  • Not speaking upwardly teaches not simply the student targeted, just also anyone inside hearing range that they volition non exist protected from harassment.
  • Almost any response is amend than ignoring the situation. Yous may not know exactly what to say, simply you must end the harassment.
  • Taking activity reaffirms limits. Interrupting name-calling and harassment isn't always easy. With experience you volition become more comfortable in handling it. Do with colleagues.
  • You can ever become dorsum to the student and say or practice something else if you experience yous did not respond well.

Educate …

  • If y'all have the time and opportunity to educate on the spot, do it. If you don't, make time later.
  • If you have been hearing the phrase "That'due south gay" or "no man," take time during grade to make certain that your students know what "gay" means and know why information technology is hurtful to use as a comment or put-down.
  • Be clear that using the discussion "gay" in a negative manner is disrespectful. Exist clear that using the phrase "That's gay" is hurtful to other students who may have family unit members or friends who are LGBTQ.
  • Exist prepared to provide accurate information. For the youngest students, go along it elementary – for instance, "the give-and-take gay describes a human being and a man or a woman and a woman who love each other." As students become older, they may want more than explanations and word.
  • In lessons on respect, prejudice or civil rights include information about discrimination against LGBTQ people and the LGBTQ civil rights motion.

Exist Proactive …

  • Develop an environment of respect and caring for all students in your school and classroom using inclusive language, books and other materials.
  • Establish clear schoolwide and classroom policies against hurtful teasing and bullying. Ensure that all members of the school community empathise what the policies are and why they are important.
  • Exist explicit that rules against hurtful name-calling include "That'due south gay!" "Homo!" "Fag!" "Tranny!" "Sissy!" and other LGBTQ put-downs.
  • Develop the capacity of students and educators to be allies that stand up for students who are harassed.

This handout was adult in partnership between the National Teaching Association (NEA) and the Human being Rights Campaign Foundation'due south Time to THRIVE and Welcoming Schools.

*LGBTQ+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (community members who apply different language to depict identity)

The Man Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Homo Rights Campaign Foundation that are of involvement to the general public and farther our common mission to back up the LGBTQ+ community.