Sexual Orientation

Websites
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network(GLSEN) -- an excellent site with lots of information and resources useful to educators.

Key Findings of GLSEN's 2003 National Climate Survey -- a summary report of this important annual study.

GLSEN's 2003 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of LGBT Youth in our Nation's Schools - a full report of this annual study which documents issues many LGBT youth and professionals experience in schools -- also includes information about schools with effective policies and practices regarding issues of sexual orientation and harassment.

GLSEN's 2005 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of LGBT Youth in our Nation's Schools - further national documentation of the issues many LGBT youth and professionals experience in schools -- and, what recommendations about should and must be done.

GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey -- further national documentation of the issues many LGBT youth and professionals experience in schools -- and, what recommendations about should and must be done.

Middle School LGBT Students Face Extreme Levels of Harassment -- a 2009 report that states, " Middle School LGBT students are significantly more likely to face hostile school climates than high school LGBT students, yet have less access to school resources and support."

Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth In Our Nation's Schools -- a 2009 report that docuements and details the difficulties transgender youth experience in many U.S. schools -- this is a serious issue that is only beginning to receive the attention it deserves and requires.

Shared Differences: The Experiences of LGBT Students of Color in Our Nation’s Schools -- a 2009 report about the intersection of LGBT issues and race/ethnicity.

GLSEN Resources for Educators -- lesson plans, curricular tools, information on teacher training programs and more.

Largest Ever Study of Anti-LGBT Harassment in Schools Shows the Problem is Widespread, Dangerous and Preventable -- "Despite an anti-harassment law that took effect four years ago this month, harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation remain persistent and pervasive in California schools. 7.5% of California’s middle and high school students, more than 200,000 students every year, are targets of harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, according to a study released by the California Safe Schools Coalition. The Safe Place to Learn study found that widespread bullying has dangerous academic, health and safety consequences for students."

They Don't Even Know Me: Understanding Anti-Gay Harassment and Violence in School -- a powerful report about the physical and emotional abuse associated with anti-gay violence in schools.

About "GLBTQ" and GLBTQ Youth -- an excellent collection of links and information.

Coming Out in Middle School -- a 2009 NYTimes article about the fact that some students are publicly identifying as LGBT earlier now than previously and what some educators are doing to support these youth -- includes discussion of the value and challenges of developing Gay Straight Alliances (GSA) at schools and much more.

Gay Youth -- a YouTube video by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network about the experiences of LGBT youth in schools and the need for GSA's (gay-straight alliances).

National Day of Silence -- "The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, now with hundreds of thousands of students coming together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior." This site includes lot of information about relevant current events as well.

ThinkB4YouSpeak -- a national campaign to address phrases such as "That's so gay." -- includes ways for students and educators go become involved and to create their own ways of addressing the issue.

Making Sense of the Senseless: The Murder of Lawrence King -- an article by Beth Reis, co-chair of the Safe Schools Coalition, that both answers questions educators may have and offers guidance about how to prevent and respond to anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment.

The Hetrick-Martin Institute -- The Hetrick-Martin Institute manages and runs the Harvey Milk High School, a public school in New York City that offers "a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families." The site provides information about what they do and why as well as a lot of resources for the youth and families they serve.

Hate Crimes -- a good source of information and perspective on anti-LGBT hate crimes and related legislation and law -- by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Minnesota District Settles for $25,000 After Teachers Subjected Student to Anti-Gay Harassment -- a 2009 article about two teachers who engaged in harassing a student thought to be gay.

Public Schools and Sexual Orientation: A First Amendment Framework for Finding Common Ground -- a excellent statement about conflicts over issues of sexual orientation in schools and how we can resolve them. Includes recommendations and guidelines.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) -- a national organization that supports and helps in the development of effective sexuality education programs -- lots of good resources and links.

Resources for Teaching LGBT History -- lesson plans, book and film ideas, and much more.

A California Bill to Include Gays in Textbooks -- discussion of a 2006 bill in California that would require inclusion of information about LGBT contributions and history in textbooks in that state -- the state senate did eventually pass the bill, but the governor then vetoed it.

California State Senate Passes Bill to Include Gays in Textbooks --an article about passage of this bill in one house of the California legislature.

Schwarzenneger Vetoes Bill On Gay Protections in Textbooks -- an article about the California governor vetoing thisbill after it had been passed by the state senate.

Adolescent Masculinity, Homophobia, and Violence -- a good article about connections between masculine stereotypes, homophobia and school shootings.

Surge in Hate Crimes Against LGBT Community -- national and Colorado state statistics for years 2002 and 2003 documenting this distressing problem and trend.

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Hate Crime Statistics 2004 -- 2004 statistics concerning occurrences of anti-gay acts of violence.

Brutal Beating of Gay Teen in Texas -- an article about an Oct. 2004 hate crime.

Sexual Orientation and Human Rights -- very good lesson plan and study guide information and materials.

Gay and So Alone -- a first person account of growing up gay -- includes powerful material about harassment in school and by peers.

Amplify Your Voice -- "Amplify is a project of Advocates for Youth. Established in 1980 as the Center for Population Options, Advocates for Youth champions efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates believes it can best serve the field by boldly advocating for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health." The site includes a lot of good information and material about sexual orientation, the issues of homophobia and transphobia, and more.

The Safe Schools Coalition -- The Safe Schools Coalition offers resources as a starting point for educators, parents/guardians and youth -- a public-private partnership in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.

The Safe Schools Resource Guide -- a helpful document about how to create a safe and supportive school environment -- by the Safe Schools Coalition of Washington.

Website of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays(PFLAG) -- important information and resources, some specific to schools and educators (e.g., see their Safe Schools Resources).

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- an organization dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The Advocate -- a national gay and lesbian newsmagazine -- a good source of news and perspective.

When Girls Will Be Boys -- an article from the NYTimes (March 16, 2008) about the experiences of some transgender males who started college as women, in women's colleges -- includes a good discussion of some gender, sexuality, and transgender issues.

Out!Proud -- Out!Proud, The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth, addresses the needs of these young men and women by providing advocacy, information, resources, and support.

This Way Out -- an international gay and lesbian radio magazine - reports important news and other information not widely disseminated in the mainstream media.

We Are Family -- an organization of "informed straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered people who have chosen to love and support our relatives and friends by working to spread truth about homosexuality" -- lots of useful information and resources.

Reducing Gender Stereotyping and Homophobia in Sports -- a lesson plan that "asks students to identify and discuss homophobia and gender stereotyping in athletics, and to think about how to combat these attitudes and behaviors at their own schools."

The Stonewall Riots -- information about this 1969 NYC event that has come to be seen as a critical turning point in the struggle for the human and civil rights of LGBT people.

Stonewall Riots -- a brief history about this event, often characterized as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide.

The Stonewall Riot and It's Aftermath -- original source materials for study of the Stonewall Riots and news coverage at the time.

Stonewall and Beyond: Lesbian and Gay Culture -- Displays presented as part of an exhibit at the Columbia University Libraries.

A Walk on the Wild Side of Stonewall -- a very good article from 1987 that presents a detailed personal reflection on and history of the Stonewall Riots.

What One Teacher Can Do -- a good article about what teachers can do, by Arthur Lipkin of Harvard Univiersty.

More School Lessons Tackling LGBT Issues -- an article from the Boston Globe about whether teachers have the right to teach about sexual orientation through their subject area, and how some teachers already incorporate this topic into their lessons.

NMSA Middle School Journal: Breaking Through the Wall ofSsilence: Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues for Middle Level Educators -- an article that offers advice to educators on how to evaluate their school and how to erase hostility towards homosexual students.

Diversity in Public High Schools: A Look at the Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Students -- an overview on homosexual teen lifestyles and how to have an open discussion about homosexuality in the classroom.

Women's E-News: Gay Teens Ignored by High School Sex Ed Class -- a 2002 article that discusses the difficult task of incorporating homosexual education into class curriculum.

Indiana University: Center for Instruction, Research and Technology -- teacher resources for dealing with their own homosexuality and identity in the classroom.

American Bar Association: Where are the Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Teachers? -- analyzes the legal rights of gay and lesbian teachers.

Teachers Under Fire -- this site discusses pressure on gay and lesbian teachers by radical conservatives and the legal issues involved.

TES Article on Homophobia -- a website on homophobia in schools and addresses the many issues regarding homophobia.

The Age: Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- a compelling story of a lesbian student teacher in Australia.

Teachers, Conservative Activists Disagree Over Teaching Gay Topics -- a 2001article from a Portsmouth, NH newspaper about teachers teaching about gay issues, including the Stonewall Riots.

Resources for High School Teachers & Curriculum Specialists -- good classroom resources (books, curricula, videos, web sites and music) for teaching about LGBT issues/topics -- lots of links and materials.

Lesson Plan: What Do "Faggot" and "Dyke" Mean -- a lesson about the origins and significance of these words.

Curriculum -- curricular materials on many topics related to teaching against homophobia and about issues of sexual orientation.

Teaching for Inclusion -- offers strategies for inclusive teaching in areas such as gender issues, multicultural education, and sexual orientation -- under sexual orientation, the page talks about things educators can do to make classrooms and schools more welcoming and supportive places for LGBT youths.

Improving the School Experience for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students -- a summary of some important issues and ideas -- published by the Education Resources andInformation Center (ERIC).

Ways to Fight Homophobia in Your School -- good suggestions for teachers and others at the L.A. Youth site.

It Takes a Team: Eliminating Homophobia in Sports -- an article about an innovative program designed to eliminate homophobia in sports.

Reasons Why Coaches Need to Address Anti-LGBT Bias in Athletics -- a very useful article for educators involved in athletics.

A Brief History of Gay Athletes -- a timeline of when some 20th century gay athletes came out -- includes information about their accomplishments and contributions.

Out Athletes -- brief bios of many gay athletes who are public about their sexual orientation.

A List of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trangender Sportspeople -- a Wikipedia listing of LGBT athletes, when they came out, and what they have accomplished and contributed.

Teaching Anti-Homophobia in Your Classroom -- this is website includes a lesson plan on how to cover some of the myths of homosexuality as well as discussion on educating students on the facts.

Exploring the Poetry of Walt Whitman -- a great lesson plan for high school English teachers that includes a discussion on homosexual icons and undertones in literature.

Read Around- Sexual Orientation -- this website educates teens on the oppression of homosexuals and to demonstrate how hurtful anti-gay slurs can really be.

Understanding Families with Gay and Lesbian Parents -- this lesson plan is appropriate for Elementary aged children and offers a great way to introduce younger children to the topic of homosexuality and the stereotypes surrounding around it.

Stonewall and Beyond: Gay and Lesbian Issues -- this lesson plan includes the discussion of the Stonewall Inn raid and the bias that homosexuals must live with in society while using the National Standards for History Education.

COLAGE -- this is a great site for support for children, youth and adults with LGBT parents.

LAMBDA: GLBT Community Services -- Lambda is an organization dedicated to reducing homophobia, hate crimes, and discrimination. The site offers much information on all of these topics as well as links to information on events and other support groups.

Outminds: Friends Conversation Acceptance -- this is an online community with great information on starting a LGBT support group in your community.

Advocates for Youth: Rights, Respect, Responsibility -- this is a good site for information on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. There is also information on creating appropriate programs for your school community.

American Civil Liberties Union Freedom Network -- this site provides statistics and helpful information for understanding the issues of sexual orientation.

Youth Resource -- this site is useful for both teachers and students who want to hear direct stories from those among the LGBT population.

National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education -- a website assorted with links to gay/lesbian politics, professional LGBT organizations, as well as journals and periodicals.

National Gay and lesbian Task Force: Education Policy -- a resource addressing many issues that homosexuals must contend with, ranging from LGBT statistics, to personal stories, to issues of harassment and violence.

10 Ways to Build Awareness -- this website offers a straightforward, to-the-point list of how any community can adopt a better sense of awareness of the LGBT population.

Gay Marriage and Homophobia, News, Information, Events -- an extremely valuable resource providing numerous links to varying sites. There are many articles pertaining to homosexuality in relation with religion, issues with gay marriage, and a few articles relating to hate crimes.

Queers in History: 900 Fascinating True Stories-- a website about a book of this title, by Keith Stern -- includes excerpts from the book.

Some Good Books and Articles
Baker, J. 2002. How Homophobia Hurts Children. Harrington Park Press.

Besner, H. & Springin, C. 1995. Gay and Lesbian Students: Understanding Their Needs. Taylor and Francis.

Blackburn, M. et al. 2009. Acting Out! Combating Homophobia Through Teacher Activism. Teachers College Press.

Blumenfeld, W. (Ed.) 1992. Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price. Beacon Press.

Button, J., Rienzo, B. & Wald, K. 1997. Private Lives, Public Conflicts. 1997. Congressional Quarterly, Inc.

Carbado, D. et al., 2002. Black Like Us: A Century of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual African American Fiction. Cleis Press.

Carlson, D. 1997. Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community. In M. Seller & L. Weis (Ed.) Beyond Black and White: New Faces and Voices in U.S. Schools. SUNY Press.

Casper, V. 1999. Gay Parents/Straight Schools: Building Communication and Trust. Teachers College Press.

Dilley, P. 2002. Queer Man on Campus: A History of Non-Heterosexual College Men, 1945-2000. Routledge Falmer.

Duberman, M. et al., 1990. Hidden From History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past. Meridian.

Duberman, M. (Ed.) 1994. Lives of Notable Gay Men and Lesbians. Chelsea House.

Evans, K. 2002. Negotiating the Self: Identity, Sexuality, and Emotion in Learning to Teach. Routledge Falmer.

Feinberg, L. 1993. Stone Butch Blues. Firebrand Books.

Golombok, S., Perry, B., & Burston, A. 2003. Children of Lesbian Parents. Developmental Psychology, 39(1): 20-22

Goss, R. 1993. Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. Harper Books.

Grayson, D. 1992. Emerging Equity Issues Related to Homosexuality in Education. In S. Klein (Ed.) Sex Equity and Sexuality in Education. SUNY Press.

Hammett, R. 1992. A Rationale and Unit Plan for Introducing Gay and Lesbian Literature into the Grade Twelve Curriculum. In P. Shannon (Ed.) Becoming Political: Readings and Writings in the Politics of Literacy Education. Heinemann.

Harbeck, K. (Ed.) 1992. Coming Out of the Closet: Gay and Lesbian Students, Teachers and Curricula. Harrington Park.

Harbeck, K. 1997. Gay and Lesbian Educators. Amethyst Press and Productions.

Harvard Educational Review, Summer, 1996; vol. 66, #2, entire issue, "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered People and Education."

Heintz, A. J. and Melendez, R. M. 2006. Intimate partner violence and HIV/STD risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Individuals. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 2: 193-208.

Heron, A. (Ed.) 1994. Two Teenagers in Twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth. Alyson Books.

Hutchins, L. & Kaahumanu, L. (Eds.) 1991. Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out. Alyson Books.

Jennings, K. (Ed.) 1994. One Teacher in 10. Alyson Books.

Katz, J.N. 1997. Homosexual and Heterosexual: Questioning the Terms. A Queer World: The Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies Reader. New York, New York: NYU Press.

Kimmel, M. & Mahler, M. 2003. Adolescent Masculinity, Homophobia, and Violence. American Behavioral Scientist, 46(10): 1429-58.

Kumashiro, K. 2002. Troubling Education: "Queer" Activism and Antioppressive Pedagogy. Routledge Falmer.

Leck, G. 2000. Heterosexual or Homosexual? Reconsidering Binary Narratives on Sexual Identities in Urban Schools. Education and Urban Society, 32(3).

Lipkin, A. 1995. The Case for the Gay and Lesbian Curriculum. Routledge.

Lipkin, A. 2000. Understanding Homosexuality, Changing Schools: A Text for Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators. Westview Press.

Lipkin, A. 2003. Beyond Diversity Day: A Q&A on Gay and Lesbian Issues in Schools. Rowman and Littlefield.

Love, P. 1998. Cultural Barriers Facing Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students at a Catholic College. The Journal of Higher Education, 69(3).

MacGillivary, I. 2000. Educational Equity for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered, and Queer/Questioning Students. Education and Urban Society, 32(3).

Marcus, E. 1993. Is It A Choice?: Answers to 300 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Gays and Lesbians. Harper.

Mitchell, L. 1998. Tackling Gay Issues in School. GLSEN Press.

Miceli, M. 2005. Standing Out, Standing Together: The Social and Political Impact of Gay-Straight Alliances. Routledge.

Mixner, D. & Bailey, D. 2000. Brave Journeys: Profiles in Gay and Lesbian Courage. Bantam Books.

Owens Jr., R. 1998. Queer Kids. The Haworth Press Inc.

Pascoe, C. 2005. ‘Dude, You’re a Fag’: Adolescent Masculinity and the Fag Discourse. Sexualities, 8(3): 329-346.

Pascoe, C. 2007. Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in H.S. U of California Press.

Penelope, J. & Wolfe, S. (Eds.) 1980. The Original Coming Out Stories, Expanded Edition. The Crossing Press.

Rasmussen, M. 2005. Becoming Subjects: Sexualities and Secondary Schooling. Routledge.

Reiss, M. 1997. Teaching About Homosexuality and Heterosexuality. Journal of Moral Education, 26(3).

Reiss, M. 1999. How Should We Teach in Schools About Sexual Orientation? Journal of Moral Education, 28(2).

Rochlin, M.1982.The Heterosexual Questionnaire. Men's Lives, 5th ed., 407.

Rofes, E. 1985. Socrates, Plato, and Guys Like Me: Confessions of a Gay Schoolteacher. Alyson Publishers.

Rofes, E. 1989. Opening Up the Classroom Closet: Responding to the Educational Needs of Gay and Lesbian Youth. Harvard Educational Review, 59(4).

Rofes, E. 2005. A Radical Rethinking of Sexuality and Schooling: Status Quo or Status Queer? (Curriculum, Cultures, and (Homo)Sexualities). Rowman and Littlefield.

Rust, P. 2001. Two Many and Not Enough: The Meanings of Bisexual Identities. Journal of Bixuality, 1: 31-68.

Savin-Williams, R. 1990. Gay and Lesbian Youth: Expressions of Identity. Hemisphere.

Savin-Willliams, R. C. 1996. Dating and Romantic Relationships Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths. The Lives of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals: Children to Adults. Wadsworth.

Savin-Williams, R. 1998. "And Then I Became Gay": Young Men's Stories. Routledge.

Seidman, S., Meeks, C., and Traschen, F. 1999. Beyond the Closet? The Changing Social Meaning of Homosexuality in the United States. Sexualities, 2: 9-34.

Singer, B. (ed.) 1993. Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian: A Literary Anthology. New Press.

Stern, K. 2009. Queers in History: 900 Fascinating True Stories. BenBella Books.

Sullivan, A. 1995. Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality. Alfred Knopf.

Telljohann, S. 1995. Teaching About Sexual Orientation by Secondary Health Teachers. Journal of School Health, 65(1).

Unks, G. (Ed.) 1995. The Gay Teen: Educational Practice and Theory for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adolescents. Routledge.

Videos
Out of the Past: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Rights in America, 1998.

It's Elementary: Talking about Gay Issues in School, 1998 -- an excellent documentary about educators who address LGBT issues in schools and classrooms and how they do this.

Dealing With Difference: Opening Dialogue About Lesbian, Gay, and Straight Issues, 2002 -- an excellent video and print curriculum -- available from GLSEN.

Speaking for Ourselves: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Youths, 1998.

Out! Making Schools Safe for Gay Teens, 1999.

Outside the Lines: The World of the Gay Athlete, 2000.

Dealing with Difference: Opening Dialogue about Lesbian Gay, and Straight Issues. 2003, Human Relations Media.