G.I.N.A.S.F.S.

GLSEN's Educators' Guide to Ally Week  (reflection)

          In my high school, we had a GSA (gay-straight alliance), and I know we had "Ally Week", but the events were not really popular (at least I don't think so).  This guide really opened my eyes to the purpose of GSA and Ally Week, and how to make your classroom (and school) a safe place for people of any sexual orientation.  The statistics in the article really jumped out at me, 

"84.9% of LGBT students heard 'gay' used in a negative way" 

"71.3% heard homophobic remarks frequently or often at school"

"81.9% of LGBT students reported being verbally harassed"

"38.3% reported being physically harassed"

"18.9% reported being physically assaulted at school"

and these are just a few of the facts!  I had always known that there were issues with sexual gender in society, but like the articles we had read before those in the culture of power don't notice the issues that arise out of the culture of power.  I feel like no matter what a person's stance is on LGBT rights, the should recognize the real problem, which is that, "school-based victimization denies students their rights to an education".  Regardless of gender, sexuality, races, ethnicity... all students should have the right to an education, and have the safety to attend school.

         This guide also explains that an ally is, "an individual who speaks out and stands up for a person or group that is targeted and/or discriminated against." It is also important to note that an ally is normally someone who does not identify themselves as LGBT, meaning that everyone can help, even if they don't identify directly with the person being discriminated.  Ally Week is a week dedicated to the awareness of discrimination towards LGBT, where students and teachers pledge to support LGBT individuals, and intervene (safely) when students are being harassed.  As the article explains, it is very important that a teacher pledges, and that they encourage their students to pledge as well.  At the same time, I would hope that teachers would not just sign their name, without understanding the responsibly they are taking on.  Signing the pledge is a way to show that the classroom is a safe place for LGBT students, and the teacher will support them and protect them in times of harassment.  

         The guide also has tips for teachers about how to celebrate Ally Week.  In addition to taking the pledge, teachers should open class discussions with questions like:

"Describe any anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying/harassment you have witnessed in our school"

"How safe do you think our school is for LGBT students?  How do you know?"

"Why do you think it's important to be an ally to LGBT students?"

"What can we do as Allies, to help make this school safe?"

These questions are open to all students in the class to answer, allowing them to open up and explain their experiences.  This could also offer a difference of opinion, where some students think the school is completely safe, but others have witnessed harassment.  The guide also suggests that teachers screen movies that deal with LGBT issues.  This can also open up discussions for students of any background to share what they believe, and how they can help.  As a teacher, it is important to show how important GSA and Ally Week should be, and even after Ally Week, they should be supporting their LGBT students when issues arise.  

• Did  your school have a GSA or Allied group?  If so, did other students understand the importance or was it just another club?
• Have you witnessed any LGBT harassment or bullying?  If so, how did you react?

On a side note, the song title I chose for this article fits perfectly, 

G.I.N.A.S.F.S. (Gay is not a synonym for shitty)

Has anyone heard this expression before?