HRC Releases Checklist for Teachers to Support LGBTQ Students While Online Learning

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), in partnership with National Education Association, has released a new resource for educators about supporting LGBTQ students during online distance learning.

The two organizations released a checklist for teachers who want to support their LGBTQ students.

“NEA is proud to partner with the Human Rights Campaign to promote this valuable and timely checklist to support LGBTQ student during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia. “School buildings are closed for now, but the work of educators continues. And during these challenging times, we need to make sure that we continue to provide a safe and affirming learning experience for LGBTQ students during distance learning.”

Items on the checklist include visible signs in Zoom backgrounds that show clear affirmations of the LGBTQ community, normalizing pronoun sharing, and addressing the greater risk for LGBTQ cyberbullying.

Teachers’ support of their LGBTQ can be crucial. According to HRC’s 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report, 67 percent of LGBTQ students hear their families make negative comments about LGBTQ people, and only 21 percent are out at home.

“During this time of crisis, it is especially important for educators to have the resources they need to support and uplift our LGBTQ youth,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “We know that LGBTQ youth face many hurdles because of oppression and discrimination, hurdles which are compounded for those that hold multiple marginalized identities. We are proud to work with our partners at the NEA to help educators support and empower LGBTQ youth and all young people during this challenging times.”