Explicit denouncement of homophobia and transphobia The school makes very clear that negative behavior towards LGBT people is unacceptable, especially when students or teachers discriminate, bully, call names or otherwise marginalize them. It is not enough just to discipline negative behavior, but also to explain the impact of the hateful intentions. Counselors deal with LGBT related issues The school has counselors or mentors who can be approached when there are problems concerning LGBT issues. These could be LGBT students who question their feelings and who have to deal with stigma, but it could also be homophobic students who need to learn more adequate defense mechanisms (for example: being curious instead of aggressive) and better pro-social behavior. Systematic quality policy The school management develops a quality policy, which systematically raises the awareness and creates action by management, staff and students to prevent and stop negative behavior and the appreciation of diversity. Such a plan of action should be embedded in the broader context of the policy on school security, good citizenship, positive social behavior and non discrimination. Support when coming-out When a LGBT student or staff member comes out, she/he gets support by the staff. This can be done by moral support, information sessions, discussion about peer support with peers, changing the school administration to accommodate names and sex changes, assigning toilets to transgender students and dealing with discomfort about sharing showers. Support for school-improving initiatives When LGBT students or staff propose plans for improvement of the situation, the school management takes these in serious consideration. The creates of Gay/Straight Alliances are welcomed. GALE THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR LGBT EDUCATION Toolkit Working with Schools 1.0 Tools for teachers
Explicit denouncement of homophobia and transphobia The school makes very clear that negative behavior towards LGBT people is unacceptable, especially when students or teachers discriminate, bully, call names or otherwise marginalize them. It is not enough just to discipline negative behavior, but also to explain the impact of the hateful intentions. Counselors deal with LGBT related issues The school has counselors or mentors who can be approached when there are problems concerning LGBT issues. These could be LGBT students who question their feelings and who have to deal with stigma, but it could also be homophobic students who need to learn more adequate defense mechanisms (for example: being curious instead of aggressive) and better pro-social behavior. Systematic quality policy The school management develops a quality policy, which systematically raises the awareness and creates action by management, staff and students to prevent and stop negative behavior and the appreciation of diversity. Such a plan of action should be embedded in the broader context of the policy on school security, good citizenship, positive social behavior and non discrimination. Support when coming-out When a LGBT student or staff member comes out, she/he gets support by the staff. This can be done by moral support, information sessions, discussion about peer support with peers, changing the school administration to accommodate names and sex changes, assigning toilets to transgender students and dealing with discomfort about sharing showers. Support for school-improving initiatives When LGBT students or staff propose plans for improvement of the situation, the school management takes these in serious consideration. The creates of Gay/Straight Alliances are welcomed. GALE THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR LGBT EDUCATION Toolkit Working with Schools 1.0 Tools for teachers