Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) youth have unique needs that need to be addressed on several
levels. A former school principal and current eldercare consultant, I write
this post with a focus on LGBT school practices and grandparent perspectives.
Compared to
heterosexual youth, research on LGBT school practices indicates that
LGBT youth are targeted for bullying at school in disproportionate numbers. It
cannot be stressed enough that they, like all students, should be getting their
education in a supportive environment through a variety of practices and
professional inservices. Bullying of LGBT students is
far too common.
In terms of correctional
practices, school administrators reported the following for
creating a supportive LGBT environment in schools:
1)
Having
a point person for LGBT student issues
2)
Displaying
sexual orientation-specific content
3)
Having
a gay-straight alliance
4)
Discussing
bullying based on sexual orientation
5)
Providing
professional development around LGBT inclusion and LGBT student issues
Not surprisingly, students attending
schools with caring LGBT climates reported lower odds of
relational bullying victimization, physical bullying perpetration, and sexual
orientation-based harassment compared to students in schools with
less caring LGBT climates. An added benefit was that these LGBTpractices may be protective for all students, regardless of their sexual
orientation.
Intergenerational family
experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community are
often not represented during family discussions within the larger heterosexual
community. These relationships are important in order to understand better how
LGBT individuals function within family systems.
Beyond school, LGBT youth have family members to consider regarding their advocacy. What about relationships between gay grandchildren and heterosexual grandparents? Grandparents generally want good
relationships with their grandchildren, especially those who live near them and with whom they have frequent contact. Positive socialization
is helpful and healthy for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, sometimes these relationships can be difficult, even painful. But grandparents like Glen and Linda Marks demonstrate in this video that having a gay grandchild can be an opportunity for open acceptance of who he is. After learning that their grandson was gay, they expressed their determination to "walk" with him with continuing love and support.
Unfortunately, sometimes these relationships can be difficult, even painful. But grandparents like Glen and Linda Marks demonstrate in this video that having a gay grandchild can be an opportunity for open acceptance of who he is. After learning that their grandson was gay, they expressed their determination to "walk" with him with continuing love and support.
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing
Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America
and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
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