Educators strive to ensure that the learning environment and curricula are without exception for all students. To do so, including LGBTQ+ representation in education plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. It helps affirm that the broad curricula impact student’s ability to accept, understand and respect one another. These attributes not only help in supporting LGBTQ+ students in schools but also make students better humans. According to a post by the American Bar Association in 2022, the Trevor Project a national organization focused on LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, found that a positive school environment made a larger impact on student’s lives than similarly positive environments at home, work, or elsewhere in the community.
So why is representation important?
Representation refers to the depiction or imitation of individuals or groups in various media, education, and social institutions like schools and churches. Whether it is through the books we read, the discussions we have, or the history we learn. The significance of these representations does not only bring visibility but also impacts how people see themselves and others in the world around them.
However, different types of representations should be taken seriously like race, gender, disability, age, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. It is important to ensure that these representations are done in mainstream places such as media, education, politics, and our workplaces because they play a key role in contributing to better mental health for those affected as it promotes understanding, compassion, economic growth, social cohesion, and academic success.
Embracing LGBTQ+ voices in learning resources are crucial because when LGBTQ+ see themselves reflected in media, literature, or classroom discussions. It validates their existence, which boosts a sense of belonging and self-worth. This representation in curricula helps to break down harmful stereotypes and misconceptions, which assists students to understand better and be more empathetic. A broad curriculum helps students to see a positive representation of LGBTQ+ which inspires them. These LGBTQ+ experience influences social justice movements, shaping public opinion and policy.
Consequences of Lack of Representation
- The lack of LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula has led to the perpetuation of LGBTQ+ marginalization.
- It has contributed to the amplification of harmful stereotypes.
- LGBTQ+ students go through self-doubt and low self-esteem because they are not adequately and properly represented as they should be.
- Insufficient representation hinders empathy and understanding from non-LGBTQ+ students.
Benefits for LGBTQ+ Students
The LGBTQ-inclusive classroom is beneficial for LGBTQ+ students:
- It strengthens their sense of belonging when they see themselves reflected in the materials and discussions of their classes. This representation helps to increase their confidence levels and self-esteem.
- With representative inclusive curricula for all students, LGBTQ+ students have improved emotional health because they are no longer excluded or isolated, which reduces the likelihood of getting depressed. They also get to see themselves reflected in a positive light which improves their self-esteem.
- When education includes LGBTQ+ voices among students, they participate actively in classes when they feel seen, included and respected in the classroom. It is reflected in their studies, and this also helps to improve their academic performance.
- It helps LGBTQ+ students to connect better with their peers as long as there is empathy and understanding among them leading to healthier relationships.
- Inclusive curricula facilitate self-discovery, confidence, and self-advocacy because they have a stronger sense of identity and know who they are.
- It also helps to broaden the career possibilities open to them.
Benefits for All Students
Besides the benefit of inclusive curricula for LGBTQ+ students, they are also important for non-LGBTQ+ individuals:
- It helps in creating safe school environments because it promotes understanding and respect among individuals. Whether it is related to people’s identities, beliefs or behaviour, this ensures everyone is safe from harmful stereotypes or bullying.
- Students think more critically because they spend time analysing LGBTQ+ issues. It also provides opportunities for open discussion which can lead to greater understanding and problem solving.
- Students learn about fairness and human rights, which they would not have been exposed to if there were no inclusive curricula. They are aware that people have different sexual orientations; some perform better in academics than others, which is why some students are good at essay writing while some at debates. This helps students to appreciate each other.
Effective Implementation Strategies
Educators must know how to properly implement inclusive curricula strategies in schools. To do so, educators can:
- Incorporate different materials and texts into the curricula. LGBTQ+ authors, characters, and themes should be included in texts for students.
- Teachers and students should be given adequate support and resources that will help them understand LGBTQ+ better.
- The classroom should be inclusive and allow students and educators to discuss better about LGBTQ+ and reflect on some of the topics brought up.
- Schools should take the time to collaborate with LGBTQ+ advocates, experts, and community members who will come and throw more light on the LGBTQ+ community and some of the topics they face when necessary.
- Educators and school administrators should be aware of the importance of implementing these inclusive curricula. Then, they should take the time to assess their curricula and see where they can seamlessly integrate LGBTQ+ voices into the curriculum.
- When designing these LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula, it is necessary to ensure that the content is age-appropriate for each class so that more harm than good is not caused by the curricula.
Common challenges and potential solutions in Inclusive Curricula
Implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula can be challenging, but here are some potential solutions to these obstacles:
- The challenge with implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula is that most school administrators and parents are against it because of their conservative views. To solve this issue, parents and administrators should have an open dialogue where they will be told about the benefits of these inclusive curricula.
- Another challenge is that there is a lack of adequate resources that educators can rely on. So, schools should be willing to partner with LGBTQ+ communities, and organizations and even go online to get necessary materials for these inclusive curricula.
- Not all teachers are equipped to teach LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula due to a lack of training or personal knowledge on LGBTQ+ issues.
- In certain cities, diversity in education is not attainable because there is a limitation to discussions about sexuality, gender identification, and sex orientation making educators feel constrained in implementing inclusive curricula. The solution is to advocate for policies that will remove barriers to inclusive education and curricula.
- Some teachers are fearful about including inclusive curricula in the schools because they are afraid of the backlash they will face. To solve this, open discussions, alliances and support should be made about LGBTQ+ in schools.
Conclusion
The inclusion of LGBTQ+ voices in educational materials fosters understanding and empathy among all students, empowers LGBTQ+ students, and prepares them for a diverse, inclusive world. So, educators, students, and even parents should give room for inclusive learning and curricula. They all have their work cut out for them if there is any hope of promoting understanding and empathy and, at the same time, making the world a safer place.