LDSB PRIDE
2021
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
Here is a collection of resources to help foster a safe and welcoming space for everyone in Limestone.
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list, but a means to enter into the work as you see fit.
As the world celebrates Pride Month, honouring global LGBTTIQQ2SA* accomplishments and recognizing the social justice work that still needs to be done, this is a great time to reflect on our role, as educators, in ensuring all LDSB students and staff feel well-supported and a sense of belonging in Limestone.
As we experience Pride Month in isolation, please consider the following reflection questions:
a) What is one thing that I can do to help make my learning/working space more inclusive?
b) How am I fostering a sense of community and belonging for all identities, in this time of distance?
* Including, but not limited to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2 Spirited, Allies
#PRIDEINSIDE2021 (from EGALE)
"It’s what’s inside that matters most.
Over the last year, 2SLGBTQI and ally communities across Canada have shown just how resilient and resourceful we are. To celebrate Pride 2021, Egale is launching #PrideInside2021 – a collection of online events, accessible activities, shareable graphics and more to help people connect and celebrate safely.
We are still celebrating inside our homes, but inside our hearts we are resilient.
See our list of exciting events happening across #PrideInside2021! Click on each event to learn more and join in the fun!"
May 12: Free Workplace Inclusion Training [For Workplaces]
June 16 & 17: Safer Schools Webinars, in English + Français [For Youth]
June 18: Queer Prom! [For Youth]
August 2 & 3: Affirming Adults Webinars, in English + Français [For Educators, School Staff Parents/Guardians]
Here is a collection of #PrideInside2021 curated resources: https://egale.ca/pride-inside-2021-resources/
This link includes:
- Tips on Keeping up Movement at Home during COVID -19
- Glossary of Terms
- Mental Health Tips During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- The Genderbread Person
- Tips on How to Practice 2SLGBTQI Allyship
BUILDING UNDERSTANDING
You May Get Asked, "Why is my child's school flying the Pride flag?"
Many students, staff, families and community members identify as members of the Rainbow or LGBTQ+ community. We fly the Pride flag and hold events to demonstrate our commitment to our community that our schools are safe spaces for anyone, no matter who you are.
This is consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code that protects marginalized groups from discrimination and harassment. We want everyone who learns, works or volunteers in our school board to feel safe and supported and experience a sense of belonging in a caring learning environment.
REPRESENTING THE INTERESECTIONALITY THAT EXISTS IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
"As educators, we should provide both windows and mirrors in our curriculum, ensuring that our book selection represents a diverse array of people and identities. This also means that we must represent the intersectionality that exists in the LGBTQ community, sharing stories of different genders, ethnicities, races, religions, and classes."
Quote from: https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-lgbtq-students-elementary-school
Social Justice Books' Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books
Book Recommendations from Welcoming Schools: https://welcomingschoohttps://welcomingschools.org/resources
CBC Article: 16 books for kids and teens by Canadian LGBTQ+ writers to read for Pride Month: 16 books for kids and teens by Canadian LGBTQ writers to read for Pride Month
Have You Seen the Progress Flag?
"The “Progress Pride Flag,” which adds more inclusive colors to acknowledge groups that have been historically left out of Pride events."
"Designed in 2018 by Graphic designer Daniel Quasar, Quasar added a five-colored chevron to the classic Rainbow Flag to place a greater emphasis on “inclusion and progression.” Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag added five arrow-shaped lines to the six-colored Rainbow Flag, which is widely recognized as the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community.
The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, along with the colors pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag."
QTBIPOC Resources
"Racism is one of the primary reasons that QTBIPOC have been and continue to be erased from 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada. The histories of people of white or European descent have been prioritized in Canadian history, partly because they have been the ones writing history. As a result, historical sources and archives that usually designate what is 'official' history have not focused on the voices of QTBIPOC. This is true for 2SLGBTQIA+ histories and historians too!"
These resources have been created and compiled, from The Canadian Centre For Gender & Sexual Diversity, for the purpose of education and documentation of history.
Inclusive Classroom Tips
From: https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-lgbtq-students-elementary-sc
ELEMENTARY RESOURCES
Here is an article with tips on addressing frequently asked questions in an ELEMENTARY SETTING:
"Kids today are already being exposed to information about sexual orientation and gender identity from a young age. It is time to move from the debate about whether or not we should be having these conversations, and consider how we should be having these conversations."
Read more here: https://www.edcan.ca/articles/how-young-can-sogi-go/
ETFO: ETFO continues to provide groundbreaking work in the area of 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in Ontario classrooms. Our 2SLGBTQ+ resources and information are included here:PDF |Word.
Inclusive SECONDARY SETTING Strategies:
- Begin with researching LGBTQ personalities reflective of your subject area and have pictures displayed, names listed as part of possible project topics to celebrate their contributions
- Explore historical events that demonstrate the oppression of this group (e.g. World War Two/ Pink Triangle, Stonewall riots in NYC) in subject areas such as History, English, and Family Studies.
- Consider same-sex word phrases in your examples, on tests, etc.
- Choose positive representations of the LGBTQ community for films, book selections (i.e. “Boy Meets Boy” by David Levithan) to support the normalization of the LGBTQ community
- Encourage continued critical thinking skills through deconstruction: allow students to look for the “silences,” the “invisibility” in media, art, music, literature, of the LGBTQ communities (e.g. TV commercials and representation)
- Ensure the LGBTQ voice is represented when teaching about social sciences, social theories, families, health and physical education (e.g. healthy relationships).
- Use inclusive vocabulary that demonstrates to your students that you are not assuming everyone in the classroom is heterosexual.
Supporting & Protecting LDSB Transgender-Spectrum and/or Gender Non-Conforming Students
The Board recently updated (fall 2020) a support document with definitions and explanations regarding terms and pronouns that students may prefer for themselves.
The following guidelines preserve and protect the rights, privacy, confidentiality, safety, health, and dignity of transgender and/or gender non-conforming students at all times – in all Limestone District School Board schools, related events and activities – both inside and outside of school hours: Supporting & Protecting LDSB Transgender-Spectrum and/or Gender Non-Conforming Students