It Gets Better’s Post

Professor and Chair of MCE’s Higher Education Department, Dr. D-L Stewart, was recently featured in an article addressing diverse issues in higher education. D-L shared, 'It was an honor to be included in this important reporting and discussion on the closure of LGBTQ+ resource centers, the harmful effects on LGBTQ+ students, and what resistance looks like for the next generation of college students.'   You can check out this important article and D-L’s insight below.   #LGBTQ #Education #YouthActivism https://lnkd.in/dbVWz7UE

Very happy to be able to share our new print "Category is... Staff and student experiences of Rainbow Office Hours" as part of #lgbthistorymonth . This is a cross-College collaboration, including a student author, and I'm proud to finally have the argument out there as to why we think Rainbow Office Hours are so important, for both staff and students. This is a pre-submission preprint, any feedback gratefully received. https://lnkd.in/e2te-iEc "In this paper we present staff and student experiences of "Rainbow Office Hours", a distinct, safe space for LGBTQ+ community engagement in higher education, challenging traditional professional identity boundaries and promoting visibility and representation. Originating at the University of Glasgow in 2019, students are invited to attend specific times labelled as Rainbow Office Hours with an LGBTQ+ member of staff to discuss anything LGBTQ+ related. This initiative has helped foster an inclusive campus climate, underscoring the need for broader institutional support for LGBTQ+ identities. We advocate for integrating queer perspectives across academic disciplines, emphasising the critical role of representation in educational environments and critiquing the prevailing heteronormative and cisnormative institutional cultures that discourage the integration of sexual and gender minority issues into academia. We cannot, and will not, leave who we are at the door when we arrive at work." #highereducation #lgbtq #inclusiveeducation

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥. But too often, their needs are overlooked. How to create inclusive schools in 3 steps: 👉🏽 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲: Engage with students to understand their experiences and challenges. Validate their voices. 👉🏽 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲: Implement ongoing training for staff on LGBTQ+ issues and inclusive practices. Knowledge empowers change. 👉🏽 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬: Create environments where all students feel safe, respected, and valued. Inclusion starts with safety. At Vireo, we believe in making every school a place of meaning and purpose. Empowerment and empathy drive us forward. Let’s ensure every student feels seen and supported. Read more here: Supporting LGBTQ+ students https://lnkd.in/evmvHT9P #Education #Inclusion #LGBTQSupport

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history, existence, and resistance of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide. Their fight for equal rights continues, even in our schools. Inclusive books are being removed, students face discrimination, and LGBTQ+ youth and staff feel unsafe. Let's honor Pride by standing up for LGBTQ+ youth: speak up for inclusion in public education at your next school board meeting. Creating inclusive learning spaces starts with funding. Attend a local budget hearing or school district meeting and ask critical questions: - How is staff training on pronouns and gender identity conducted? - How does the district support safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students? - Is LGBTQ+ inclusion part of the sex ed curriculum? - Are LGBTQIA+ individuals involved in decision-making processes for necessary training and support? Join us in advocating for welcoming, safe, and equitable schools. Your voice matters. Sign up now to receive the tools needed to make a difference. Let's ensure every student feels respected and supported in their educational environment! #PrideMonth #LGBTQ+ #Inclusion

https://lnkd.in/ge_WAYym To: Local School Board Members Across Michigan From: [Your Name] Organized groups in Michigan have been attacking educators and LGBTQ+ students with false claims, creating a divisive environment in schools. LGBTQ+ students in Michigan face higher rates of bullying, victimization, homelessness, and suicide compared to their peers. It's time to act. We urge you to: - Implement a transgender and non-binary inclusive policy with mandatory staff training for a safer school culture. - Establish clear selection and reconsideration policies for library materials, following Supreme Court guidelines. - Publicly support LGBTQ+ students and staff to foster a culture of safety and inclusion. Join us and organizations like PRISM, GLSEN Southeast MI, Stand with Trans, and Michigan Education Justice Coalition in creating a supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ students. Contact trina@miedjustice.org for assistance. Let's stand together to ensure Michigan schools are safe and welcoming for all. #LGBTQ+ #MichiganEducation #InclusionAndDiversity

In recent years, the political climate surrounding LGBTQ rights has become increasingly contentious, with significant implications for students. Legislative changes and debates around Title IX have placed LGBTQ youth at the center of national conversations, often leading to environments where these students feel particularly vulnerable. Schools, which should be safe havens, are sometimes perceived as battlegrounds where the rights and identities of LGBTQ students are questioned or undermined. This challenging landscape makes it more crucial than ever to actively create LGBTQ+-friendly schools for students as they return to school. As the new school year begins, it’s essential to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and valued—especially those who identify as LGBTQ. Research, including my own work within schools, highlights that LGBTQ students often face unique challenges. The transition back to school can be a particularly sensitive time. Fortunately, there are actionable steps educators and administrators can take to foster a more inclusive and affirming environment. Drawing on insights from both my research and GLSEN's studies, here are key strategies to create an LGBTQ-friendly space for students this school year. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/efqzNybp #LGBTQ+-friendly schools #DEI #SafeSpace #MauceriEducation

🌈📚 Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Homeschooling with Pride Bookmarks As homeschooling families, we have a unique opportunity to create inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity and support LGBTQ+ youth. We believe in providing resources that promote acceptance and representation. We are excited to introduce our downloadable Pride Bookmarks, 12 vibrant bookmarks featuring the Pride flag and affirming messages. These bookmarks remind you that your homeschool is a safe space where everyone can be their authentic selves. Incorporating Pride Bookmarks into your homeschool routine opens up opportunities for age-appropriate discussions about identity, diversity, and inclusion. By actively demonstrating your support, you create a nurturing environment that promotes self-esteem and resilience for LGBTQ+ youth. We encourage you to download, print on cardstock, and laminate these bookmarks for durability. Involve your children in the process, and use these resources as a starting point for exploring LGBTQ+ history, literature, and art in your curriculum. Join us in celebrating Pride Month and commit to making your homeschool a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. We can create a more inclusive and compassionate world, one bookmark at a time. 🌈💗 Read our blog post, "Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion with Pride Bookmarks," for more ideas on fostering inclusivity in your homeschool journey. https://lnkd.in/exyVDSCc #Homeschooling #Inclusivity #PrideMonth #LGBTQEducation #CelebratingDiversity

If you're not asking the question, you're not getting the data. And if you're not getting the data, you are leaving whole populations unseen and chronically under-resourced. Particularly in this time of increasing hostility toward LGBTQ youth--and trans youth in particular--I'm glad to see efforts pushing nationalized data collection for this community. #education #K12 #data #LGBTQ #equity #access #studentsupport

Howard County Public School System's LGBTQIA+ Initiatives Specialist Danielle DuPuis had no funding to host a third year of their county-wide Rainbow Conference. then, they found a grant opportunity through It Gets Better's 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices. And the rest... was an incredible opportunity for LGBTQ+ students! Read the story, and apply for a grant for your school at www.50states50grants.com. "I remember the day I first learned about the It Gets Better grant opportunity — it was like seeing a rainbow after a storm. I had been brainstorming ways our school could possibly hold onto our county-wide Rainbow Conference for a third year — with no funding in the bank. I had previously searched for LGBTQ+ grant funding, and the prospects were bleak. Finding an organization dedicated to funding LGBTQ+ inclusive projects was a dream come true. It was the hope I needed to encourage and inspire my students to try our hand at applying for grant funding. I had recently worked with Matthew, a high school junior, on accessing research articles about support for LGBTQ+ youth in schools. Since I knew they had an interest, I reached back out to them and together we worked on the grant to see if we could fund the conference. We were SO excited when we were chosen! All throughout Matthew's senior year, we plotted, planned, and spent our funds to put on a hybrid conference for our community. The financial support from this grant freed up our time to find sponsors and donors and allowed us to concentrate on making our conference the best it could possibly be — and that included compensating our LGBTQIA+ presenters for their time and expertise. We received tons of positive feedback from our event — most notably, that it provided a safe, affirming, educational experience for everyone who attended. The 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices program is an excellent opportunity for students and educators to work collaboratively to achieve a common goal. This grant funding allowed me to demonstrate my words of encouragement to my students through actions. Applications for the next series of It Gets Better grants are currently open for you and your students to apply! Talk with your students. What does your school need? What ideas do your students have? How can you make things better for LGBTQ+ students? You have until April 1, so apply TODAY. Good luck! #itgetsbetter #grants #education #inclusiveeducation #grantfunding #lgbtq

LGBTQ and BIPOC students experience more financial and mental stress than their non-LGBTQ and non-BIPOC peers. On average, LGBTQ students owe $47,500 total in student debt compared to the non-LGBTQ average of $32,731. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help support LGBTQ and BIPOC students through living stipends, textbook costs, childcare benefits, and more. By supporting LGBTQ students through scholarships, you can help them succeed in college and their future careers. Browse the resources to get the support you need or to help a loved one: https://lnkd.in/g96Fpf_H #HigherEducation #LGBTQ #BIPOC