We know that SEIU Local 284 members are experts at caring for our students and are important members of school communities across the state. Below are some resources and reminders to review (and share with fellow union members and school staff) that increase staff fluency with LGBTQ+ topics and vocabulary, which can prevent harm and increase a sense of safety in the school community. Some of us know these issues well, and others of us don’t know as much. That’s OK!
Our union is a place to make sure we all have the tools to make our schools safe and supportive for our students. If you have any questions or want to suggest other resources to add to this list, email Internal Organizer, Laura Carpenter at laurac@local284.com
Remember
Executive orders do not change:
- Local school board policy
- State non-discrimination laws
- Adult responsibility to keep minor children safe
Important protections for trans kids in Minnesota:
- Use facilities that match their identity (N.H. vs Anoka)
- Participate on teams that match their gender (MSHSL)
- Be protected from bullying (Safe and Supportive schools)
- Toolkit: Trans Students- Know Your Rights at School from Gender Justice
Resources
Podcasts
- Making Schools Better for Gender-Expansive Kids Episode of the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast with guest Dave Edwards from Gender Inclusive Schools
- Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem with OutFront Minnesota
Videos
- Range of Gender Identities. This short video discusses gender identity and how to be supportive of a member of your community.
- Welcoming Schools: What Can We Do? Bias, Bullying, and Bystanders. Educators model how to engage students in real conversations about bias-based bullying and standing up for each other.
- Welcoming Schools: What I need to Succeed at School. Children of LGBTQ+ parents as well as trans and non binary youth discuss how they can best be supported in education.
- Here is a link with lots of supportive resources for learning about and practicing using pronouns. Remember, practice makes progress and an important part of creating a safe and inclusive school community is using everyone’s pronouns correctly.
- Handout: What to say to “That’s so gay” and other Anti-LGBTQ+ comments in English and Spanish from Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program
- Handout: Checklist for a Welcoming and Inclusive School English and Spanish from Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program
- Handout: Definitions to help understand gender and sexual orientation in English and Spanish from Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program
- Post-Inauguration Guidance for Educators from OutFront Minnesota’s Educational Equity Department
- LGBTQ+ Youth and Educator Resource Guide from OutFront Minnesota’s Educational Equity Department
- Zine: OutFront MN, Gender Inclusion: A Year In Review, Data, Stories, and More
- How to Organize a Gender Inclusion Policy in Your District from OutFront Minnesota’s Educational Equity Department
- Book: Gender Inclusive Schools, How to Affirm and Support Gender-Expansive Students by Dave Edwards from Gender Inclusive Schools