The needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ students in school settings are critical to understand in order to ensure educational equity and foster school-based belonging throughout the identity spectrum. Massachusetts DESE guidances recommend educational allyship professional development at least once annually in order to maintain an inclusive and responsive school environment for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This workshop is designed to approach allyship through an educator-specific lens, unpacking ideal protocols and best practices for LGBTQ+ safety and inclusion with a dynamic series of activities that helps participants internalize the reasons behind desired etiquette and language, rather than a procedural understanding. This workshop is best suited for educators, administrators, and other school-based professionals, and can be provided in one session but is available and recommended as a multi or extended-session series for optimal efficacy.
Objectives: -Develop a comprehensive understanding of helpful vs. harmful LGBTQ+ terminology -Unpack biases that affect our perceptions of/behaviors towards LGBTQ+ students -Identify DESE-aligned best practices for inclusion in educational settings -Troubleshoot addressing anti-LGBTQ+ harassment from both students and caregivers
