Creating a socially supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth through education, advocacy, and school-based support groups.

摘要

Students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (GLBTQ) face numerous challenges within educational institutions. Bullying, harrassment, and victimization are often corelated with these students feeling disconnected from their school. The purpose of this project was to design a program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund a youth conference for the Gay Straight Alliance Network. The goal of this conference is to offer gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth, as well as their straight supportive counterparts an opportunity to network; connect with positive GLBTQ role models; form partnerships with school administrators, faculty, and staff; and gain the knowledge, support, and advocacy tools needed to create a plan of action to positively change the climate of their schools. This conference will further educate school administrators, faculty, and staff of anti-discrimination laws and protective policies related to GLBTQ youth. Implications for social work practice are discussed. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not required for the successful completion of this project.