Supporting LGBTQIA+ students
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Supporting the inclusion and wellbeing of students who identify as sex, gender, or sexuality diverse (SGSD).
On this page:
Go to top of current page: LGBTQIA+ students
Go to top of current page: LGBTQIA+ students
In this resource we have used terms including “LGBTQIA+”, “diverse sexualities and genders”, and “sex, gender, or sexuality diverse”.
We acknowledge that not everyone will identify with these terms. There are also many different cultural understandings and terms for sexuality and gender diversity such as “takatāpui”, “whakawāhine”, and “tangata iratāne” (Māori), “hijra” (Bengali), “fa’afafine” Samoan, and “fakaleiti” Tongan.
Understand the key concerns of students
Learn about the key concerns and experiences of LGBTQIA+ students.
Respect for diversity is a core value adopted by many schools in Aotearoa. Although this value routinely extends to include sex, ethnicity, religion, culture and disability,
diversity related to gender and sexuality often remains unaddressed.
PPTA
Summary of important concepts:
Strategies for action
Four key strategies to support sex, gender, and gender diversity inclusion.
Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
Sexuality education in New Zealand schools supports and acknowledges diversity among students.
The first step to affirming diversity is to create visibility and promote awareness.
PPTA
Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Build understanding of key concepts and terms
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Explore Māori and Pasifika understandings
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- Video
- Resources
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Understand legal obligations and children's rights
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- Resources
Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes
Intentionally develop a culture where all students are included, visible, and valued.(Source: Safe Schools Coalition)
Homophobic and transphobic violence in education is unacceptable. Schools have an obligation to plan and implement effective responses.
No captions or transcript
Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Includes:
- Resources
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Develop inclusive policies and systems
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- Resources
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Create safe, inclusive environments with students
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Includes:
- Resources
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Support and resource sexuality and gender education
Includes:
- Resources
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Provide professional learning
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- Video
- Resources
Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs
Creating an inclusive environment, free of discrimination, enables students to feel physically and emotionally safe. This approach supports the academic achievement and wellbeing of all students.
A 14 year old female lesbian attends a government school with an anti- homophobia policy in place. The school features posters, students who speak up against homophobia, friendliness towards diverse people, diverse sex education and equal treatment of same-sex partners at events.
She says … school is one of the few places in her world where she feels truly safe enough to do “just normal student things, like learn”.
Equal Opportunity Commission, Western Australia
Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Address equitable uniform options
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- Resources
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Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
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- Resources
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Provide safe spaces and changing rooms and school trips
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- Resources
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Provide access to youth-friendly health care services
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- Resources
Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
Create a classroom that acknowledges and affirms the gender and sexuality diversity of every student.
![10944 [Students-at-Schools-Out-Conference.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Students-at-Schools-Out-Conference__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.jpg)
Provide your classes with positive examples of sexuality, gender, and physical diversity across the curriculum.
Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Develop inclusive classroom routines
Includes:
- Resources
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Make LGBTQIA+ content visible
Includes:
- Resources
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Use targeted programmes to facilitate discussion
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- Video
- Resources
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Plan sexuality and gender education years 1-8
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- Video
- Resources
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Plan sexuality and gender education years 9-13
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- Resources
Key resources
Relationships and Sexuality Education: A guide for principals, boards of trustees, and teachers
Read time: 105 min
This guide supports school boards, principals, and teachers to deliver effective, quality relationships and sexuality education programmes. It supports the positive and holistic development and health of all students in all New Zealand schools.
Making schools safer: A practical guide for schools on supporting transgender, gender diverse, and intersex students in Aotearoa
Read time: 110 min
A resource for schools seeking to support transgender, gender diverse, and intersex students and their whānau.
Publisher: InsideOUT
Creating rainbow-inclusive school policies and procedures
Read time: 90 min
A resource for school boards, school leaders, and staff members to identify both strengths in existing policy frameworks, and areas where processes and guidelines can be updated or added.
Publisher: InsideOUT
Starting and Strengthening Rainbow Diversity Groups
Read time: 65 min
A resource aimed at students who have or would like to start a rainbow diversity group or queer straight alliance in their school.
The resource contains information such as how to start a group, what to do in your group, facilitation tips, information for staff, examples of other groups and lots more.
Publisher: InsideOUT
Ending rainbow-focused bullying and discrimination
An interactive workbook for teachers and school leaders to create environments free from rainbow-focused bullying and discrimination. Incorporates evidence-informed guidance from the BullyingFree NZ website.
Publisher: InsideOUT
Takatāpui: A resource hub
Online resource hub for takatāpui and their whānau.
Publisher: RainbowYOUTH
Silent talanoa
A four-part video series that offers a glimpse into the lives of Rainbow Pasifika youth – “lifting the veil of silence so that young people could talanoa (talk/share) about the realness in society and how they overcame adversity”.
Publisher: Village Collective
Inside Out
This learning resource aims to increase understanding and support of gender and sexuality diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. It includes a set of video-based teaching resources.
Publisher: RainbowYOUTH
![11457 [Inclusive-classroom-culture.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/guides/featured-images/Inclusive-classroom-culture__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwNF0.jpg)
![11444 [leading-an-inclusive-school.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/guides/featured-images/leading-an-inclusive-school__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwNF0.jpg)
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTQIA+ students
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversityShow suggestions for Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
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Design inclusive school-wide systems and processesShow suggestions for Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes
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Address immediate environmental, physical and social needsShow suggestions for Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs
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Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculumShow suggestions for Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
