LGBTQ Bullying

Every teacher wants school to be a safe space for all students. A space where students can be who they are and express their ideas in an open, collaborative way. For kids who are bullied, that feeling of safety is removed. Until aggressors of a bullied student are stopped, that safety cannot be regained. When we talk about the bullying of LGBTQ+ students, however, it isn’t as simple as addressing aggressors alone.

In this video we’ll explore how the bullying of LGBTQ+ students is more than just an aggressor-victim conflict, and demonstrate ways you can create a welcoming space for students of all identities.

Additional Resources

Extend your learning and support students with PBS Wisconsin LearningMedia resources to prevent bullying of LGBTQ+ students. From historical perspectives to complete lessons and interactive media collections, explore the following age-appropriate content to challenge assumptions we might make about others and to promote understanding and foster inclusive spaces.

Grades Prek-5

• LGBTQ+ Identity: Early Grades Support Guide: a support guide for discussing gender and identity in an age-appropriate and supportive way (grades K-5)
• The AIM Buddy Project  ARTHUR: Social, Emotional, and Character Development Curriculum focuses on empathy, honesty, forgiveness, generosity, while students  learn about themselves and others (grades K-5)
• Kindness in the Classroom Curriculum: a series of lessons shown to have a positive impact on academic performance, peer relationships, and teacher-perceived social competence (grades PreK-K)

Grades 6-12

• Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity Classroom Resources: a toolkit for building knowledge of the rich United States LGBTQ+ history and narratives alongside advice for LGBTQ+ youth (grades 6-8 and 9-12)
• Educator Explains What it Means to be Transgender:  a PBS NewsHour story of one teacher’s journey to change attitudes about being transgender in America. 
• Juan’s Story: Bullying: a film module exploring issues with LGBTQ+ bullying and how the arts can build community and fight stereotypes  (grades 9-12)
• Gladys Bentley  Unladylike 2020: video and support materials to learn about Harlem Renaissance jazz performer Gladys Bentley’s life  (grades 6-8, 9-12)

Finally, be sure to check out another aka Teacher blog post, Safe Space Classrooms. It provides a wonderful example from sixth-grade teacher Jacalyn Mueller of how to create physically and emotionally safe learning spaces for all students. (Grades K-12)