The rates of bullying, truancy due to lack of safety in schools, and subsequent suicidality for LGBT+ youth are exponentially higher than for non-LGBT+ youth. As a result, many American K-12 students are suffering needlessly and many school leaders are unsure of what to do.
This book solves that problem. Setting out best practices and professional guidance for creating LGBT+ inclusive learning in schools, this approachable and easy to follow book guides teachers, educators, administrators, and school staff toward appropriate and proven ways to create safer learning environments, update school policies, enhance curricula, and better support LGBT+ youth as they learn.
Featuring real-life situations and scenarios, a glossary, and further resources, this book enables professionals in a variety of school roles to integrate foundational concepts into their everyday interactions with students, families, and staff to create an overall school culture that nurtures a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming environment for all. This book can be utilized by independent readers, department teams, and entire school district reading experiences.
This book also includes brand new, never before seen postcards from PostSecret as its foreword and its afterword is written by James Lecesne, co-founder of The Trevor Project. Also inside is the very first (and likely only ever) interview by the leaders of “Parents of Transgender Children,” the world’s largest support group of its kind.
“This book is sure to be the go-to resource for LGBT+ inclusion in schools. Kryss is an extraordinary educator and anyone reading this book is sure to experience Kryss’ passion for inclusion. Kryss is one of the greatest allies to the LGBT+ community I’ve ever met; she is a dear friend and truly one of a kind. I know that readers will learn more from this book than from any other existing resource and I emphatically support this book!”—Jazz Jennings, transgender icon, multi-award winner, and star of TLC’s I Am Jazz
“Kryss Shane has created an invaluable resource for any school administrator, curriculum expert, or advocate who wants to make sure that schools are affirming of sexual and gender diversity. For many years, the mental health and education professionals have sounded the alarm bell about the role of schools in LGBTQ+ suicide risk. We know that LGBTQ+ youth experience harassment by peers and teachers, physical and sexual assault because of perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and have thoughts of suicide and make suicide attempts 2–7x as often as cisgender heterosexual students. The ‘safe schools’ movement is not enough. We must highlight the beautiful life that queer kids can have and that is exactly what Kryss Shane has done with her book. She has provided foundational information about LGBTQ+ youth and how schools can integrate affirming content into their curriculum and school environment. Not a moment too soon.”—Dr Jonathan Singer, President of the American Association of Suicidology
“In my decades-long journey as an advocate and policy-maker promoting diversity, inclusion, fairness, and equality, Kryss Shane shines among—and often above—the most dedicated, sincere, seasoned, and effective leaders in the field. This publication could not be more timely. If you are an advocate, an educator, a parent, a co-worker, friend, or neighbor to an LGBT+ identified youth, Kryss is the most engaging go-to coach and educator on best practices for creating safe and supportive spaces for including LGBT+ youth that are thoughtful, humane, and encouraging to all committed to the idea that all youth have a right to a solid, safe, and healthy and compassionate community. What Kryss provides in these pages is the interactive coaching and guidelines that many educators have been waiting for to help create and advance that kind of environment where all youth can thrive.”—Andrea Shorter, Co-Founder of Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, former Director of Community Relations, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, former Director of Marriage Equality and Coalitions Strategies, Equality California, 2009 David Bohnett Gay and Lesbian Leadership Fellow, Inclusive and Safe Community Building consultant and strategist
