Supporting an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum

Our blog post 5 Ways to Support an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum describes why inclusion of LGBTQ+ learning is valuable to all students, and provides guidance and strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the classroom. Following is a summary of the five strategies:

      1. Teach Inclusive American History. Teaching about events and contributors specifically associated to the LGBTQ+ movement is important—see BrainPOP’s topics Pride Month: Interview with Ose Arheghan, Pride 2020, and Harvey Milk as a place to begin. Equally important is exploring how gay rights and identity are related to historical movements. For example, include a lesson on the Lavender Scare when teaching about the Cold War.
      2. Honor Awareness Days and Events. Mark LGBTQ+ awareness days and events on the class calendar to prompt ongoing class discussions that support LGBTQ+ visibility.
      3. Explore Pop Culture. Review books, movies, music, podcasts, and news articles that provide first-person voices from the LGBTQ+ community.
      4. Practice Culturally Responsive Teaching. Include references to LGBTQ+ culture in lessons that acknowledges, values, and encourages the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
      5. Integrate Lessons on Gender: Teaching about gender diversity and gender-neutral pronouns is a meaningful way to bring LGBTQ+ visibility to the curriculum. BrainPOP’s topic on Personal Pronouns is a great place to begin!

     

Filed as:  6-8, 9-12, Alan Turing, BrainPOP, Harvey Milk, Personal Pronouns, Pride 2021, Pride Month: Interview with Ose Arheghan, Teacher Resources, The Pride March at 50