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Challenging Homophobia & Heterosexism
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A Resource Guide for Educators
Print copies of this brochure can be ordered online for $2.50 per dozen.
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WHAT IS HOMOPHOBIA?
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Homophobia is a hatred for, fear of, or discomfort with, people who are
not heterosexual. Children are not born with prejudices such as homophobia.
Homophobia is learned from the negative attitudes and personal prejudices
of adults around them and from society as a whole.
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WHAT IS HETEROSEXISM?
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Heterosexism is the assumption that everyone is heterosexual and the belief
in the inherent normality and superiority of heterosexuality. Heterosexist
assumptions are made and reinforced in all areas of society. Some examples
that occur in schools are: assuming that a family has one male and one
female as parenting partners, having a prom king and queen.
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WHAT IS BIPHOBIA?
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Biphobia is a hatred for, fear of, or discomfort with, people who
identify as bisexual.
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WHAT IS TRANSPHOBIA?
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Transphobia is a hatred for, fear of, or discomfort with, transgender
people and their perceived lack of conformity with accepted gender roles.
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WHY BE CONCERNED?
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Homophobia and heterosexist assumptions hurt children and families that
are not heterosexual. They teach them that their identity is not valued
and that they are inferior. They restrict the development of positive
self-esteem and may impact negatively on developing sexual identities.
Homophobia and heterosexism also negatively affect heterosexual people
by closing them off from the realities of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender members of their communities.
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HELP ELIMINATE HOMOPHOBIA AND HETEROSEXISM
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When you hear children using names like "gay", "lesbian", "fag",
"dyke" or or "queer" as putdowns . . .
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be clear and firm that name-calling is not acceptable and
will not be tolerated. Start with an exploration of their
understanding of the words being used. Teach what the words
mean if they don't know. Use the incident as an opportunity
to teach children how hurtful words can be.
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When you hear adults making offensive or malicious comments or jokes about
bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgender people . . .
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it is important to respond. Depending on the situation,
privately or publicly tell the person how such comments or
jokes make you feel. Be clear that such language unacceptable,
particularly in an educational context. Suggest that you
might talk about this sometime if the other person is open
to dialogue.
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Never laugh along with people making homophobic or heterosexist comments or
jokes.
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We know what it feels like to be the brunt of someone's joke.
When we laugh along with the crowd, we reinforce homophobic
and heterosexist attitudes and discrimination.
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Don't assume that everyone is heterosexual.
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The constant assumption of heterosexuality renders bisexual,
gay, lesbian, and transgender people invisible. Use inclusive
language, such as partner instead of wife or husband. Be
inclusive in the curriculum. Make sure same-sex couples and
bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgender people are represented.
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SOME FACTS
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It is generally accepted that one person in ten is gay or lesbian.
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A typical elementary teacher or student hears homophobic and heterosexist
language on a daily basis in their teaching and learning environments.
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Many individuals, including teachers and students, do not disclose their
bisexual, gay or lesbian identity because of the threat of verbal abuse,
physical violence, loss of employment, social ostracism, harassment and
other discriminatory practices.
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Because of the stress they experience due to homophobia and heterosexism,
sexual minority students are at a greater risk of truancy, dropping out
of school, alcohol and drug abuse, living on the street, sexual
exploitation and suicide.
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Sexual minority students have identified that knowing there is an "out"
gay or lesbian teacher or a "gay-positive" adult in their school has
greatly contributed to their sense of safety and their self-esteem.
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