Safe Schools for LGBTQ+ Youth

Do you want to be more intentional about creating a safe school for LGBTQ+ students? This is the webinar for you! Join us on Saturday, January 21st!

2023 is on the horizon and that means state legislatures will be gearing up for new bills and reviving some of their old favorites. Over the last several years we have seen a deluge of bills and narratives which characterize LGBTQ+ youth as deviant, disruptive, and immoral, and which seek to enforce legal penalty against any adult which affirms identity.

These bills, many of which never become law (although some definitely do), also serve a greater purpose, which is to reinforce anti-LGBTQ+ narratives and also to create an environment where teachers and administrators who WOULD be allies are confused about what they can and can't do, and often fear retaliation should they engage in actions to support LGBTQ+ students.

We know educators can often feel like their hands are tied. We want to help. This live webinar will offer some basic foundational information about the LGBTQ+ community to establish a baseline of understanding, and through interactive discussion with participants will dive deeper into creating a safe school campus for LGBTQ+ students, including information which educators can use to engage with school and district leadership to advocate, as well as the opportunity to begin developing a plan of action for a specific area of change in their school/district. 

You might be a student's only ally. What you do, and don't do, matters.

Two hours of continuing education included!*

IMPORTANT: This webinar will not provide legal advice. Please consult with your school district's legal counsel if you have legal questions.

Participants will:

1.Discuss and identify LGBTQ+ terminology

2.Develop an understanding of concepts such as gender as a social construct, gender identity/expression

3.Develop an understanding of anti-LGBTQ+ narratives, bias, and discrimination

4.Analyze and discuss elements of creating a safe classroom and school environment

5.Apply knowledge regarding bias, discrimination, and the school environment to develop a planned first step in creating a safer and more inclusive campus.

This Webinar includes access to an online interactive group for those working in schools who would like to engage with others to brainstorm, get support, and build networks to better support their LGBTQ+ students! This group will provide an opportunity to build coalition with other educators and school personnel and will remain active throughout 2023. Invitation will be sent at the conclusion of the webinar.

Facilitated by Ashley Heidebrecht, LMSW

*The Borderland Rainbow Center under sponsor number 7798 has been approved by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners to offer continuing education contact hours to social workers.  ​Borderland Rainbow Center, Education Training Program Diversity and Resiliency Institute of El Paso is a TEA pre- approved continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.  If you hold a license in another State or discipline, it is not guaranteed that our content will meet your requirements.  We recommend that you check with your licensing body for any requirements and allowances.