LGBTQ* students are vulnerable members of our population. When working with LGBTQ* students in an online setting, there are some specific considerations you should make.

Just as in a traditional learning environment, you want to make sure your online space is caring, safe, respectful and welcoming.

When you create a safer space in your online environment for LGBTQ* students, you're creating a safer space for all students.

Just as with any other student,
you may be the one positive adult
influence in the life of an LGBTQ* youth!

---

LGBTQ* Youth & COVID-19

• Supporting LGBTQ Students During Social Distancing
• Implications of COVID-19 for LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
• (Not) an Isolated Experience: Students Navigating Gender Identity in Quarantine​
  
• Egale Canada: LGBTQI2S Mental Health Tips during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Defining LGBTQ*

There is a deliberate choice to use the acronym: LGBTQ* within this website. (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Etc*)
Other terms in use might be:

• LGBTQ+
• LGBTQQ2SIA+
• SGM (Sexual and Gender Minority)
• GSM (Gender and Sexual Minority)
• Queer
• SOGI (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity)​

​Sam Killermann has amassed a great collection of LGBTQ* terms and definitions. These are available for free in his book "Defining LGBTQ+ : A Guide to Gender & Sexuality Terminology".

GLADD also has excellent glossary of terms for:

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer
• Transgender​

---

---

Online webinar: Presented to Calgary Board of Education Teachers (April 13, 2020)

As educators, how can we best support LGBTQ* youth?

1. Representation Matters: students need to see themselves to feel supported
2. Names & Pronouns: respecting how students wish to be identified
3. Being Aware of Bullying: bullying can affect all students, but LGBTQ* students face unique challenges
4. Technical & Logistical: using the tools available to support all students​

---

Online Resources

• Defining LGBTQ+
• ​Only two thirds of Generation Z identify as 'exclusively heterosexual'
• Why it’s Important to Support LGBTQ Teens
• What You Should Know About LGBTQI2S Youth Suicide in Canada
• Why Visibility Matters

• Guidelines for Attending to Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation in our Schools (Calgary Board of Education resource)

​
Video Resources​

• Are These Women More Than Just Friends?
• GSAs important to diverse students

​​Teaching Resources

• The History and Impact of Anti-LGBT Slurs (Lesson Plan)
• Guidelines for Best Practices (Alberta Government)
• Safe and caring schools  (Alberta Government)
• Teaching Outside the Binary (website run by Mx. Ace Schwartz, a non-binary teacher)
• MyGSA.ca (national resource for Gay Straight Alliances)
• Centre for Sexuality (Calgary)

​Mental Health Resources

• Interligne (Montreal-based, help and information line)
• Forward Together, We Keep Each Other Safe: A Guide By and For Black, Indigenous, Latinx, POC and LGBTQ Communities Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Crisis Services Canada (directory to local resources)
• The LifeLine Canada Foundation (directory to local resources)
• Certified Listeners (online support service)
• LGBT YouthLine (confidential, non-judgemental and informed peer support)

What LGBT Students Want You To Know

'Ask Me': What LGBTQ Students
​Want Their Professors to Know 

---

Research, References & Reports

• Nearly a third of young gay people have attempted suicide, study finds (April 20, 2021)
• 1 in 6 Gen Zers identify as LGBT: Gallup poll (April 14, 2021)

---

blog posts related to: supporting queer students

• Online Support for Queer Students​
• Safe, Welcoming and Fun Space for Queer Students