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Advocates for Youth Curriculum Preview for Parents  

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Advocates for Youth Curriculum Preview for Parents Sem2 2020

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California Healthy Youcth Act ENG 01202022

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California Healthy Youth Act ENG 01202022

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California Healthy Youth Act SPA 01202022

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California Healthy Youth Act SPA 01202022

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Providing quality sex ed is more than just anatomy and pregnancy. But how do you focus on all the stuff that matters to help students making informed and healthy choices?

The Teacher's Guide has 8 units (listed below) to cover the basics of what you need to know. Go through all 8, or pick and choose what works best for you. Review the units in any order, at your own pace.

Estimated time: 4-5 hours

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Providing quality sex ed is more than just anatomy and pregnancy. But how do you focus on all the stuff that matters to help students making informed and healthy choices? The Teacher's Guide has 8 units (listed below) to cover the basics of what you need to know.

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Our Mission:
To support and empower young LGBTQ people of color to embrace your identity, embrace your culture, and take control of your sexual health.

Our Goal:
CHIP aims to increase HIV testing by making it free and accessible to all, and to decrease the stigma around HIV by engaging with communities in the South Bay and South East San Diego.

Our Method:
CHIP is a place for young MSM to get connected to resources, to talk openly and honestly about relationships, sex and HIV, and to connect with other young men in a non-judgmental environment that encourages creativity, individuality and self-expression.
​

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Our Mission: To support and empower young LGBTQ people of color to embrace your identity, embrace your culture, and take control of your sexual health. Our Goal: CHIP aims to increase HIV testing by making it free and accessible to all, and to decrease the stigma around HIV by engaging with communities in the South Bay and South East San Diego.

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If you have or want a romantic relationship, you probably want a healthy one, right? But what's a healthy relationship, exactly?

Well, it depends.

Healthy relationships don't look the same for everyone since people have different needs. Your specific needs around communication, sex, affection, space, shared hobbies or values, and so on may change throughout life.

So, a relationship that works in your 20s may be nothing like the relationship you want in your 30s.

Relationships that don't align with more traditional definitions of a relationship can still be healthy. For example, people who practice polyamory or ethical nonmonogamy might define a healthy relationship somewhat differently than people who practice monogamy.

In short, "healthy relationship" is a broad term because what makes a relationship thrive depends on the needs of the people in it.

But a few key signs do stand out in flourishing relationships.

"One thing healthy relationships largely share is adaptability," says Lindsey Antin, a therapist in Berkeley, California. "They adapt to circumstances and the fact we're always changing and going through different phases in life.

Here's a look at some other hallmarks of healthy relationships.

Open communication

Partners in healthy relationships typically talk about the things going on in their lives: successes, failures, and everything in between.

You should be comfortable talking about any issues that come up, from things that happen in everyday life, such work or friend stress, to more serious issues, such as mental health symptoms or financial concerns.

Even if they have a different opinion, they listen without judgment and then share their perspective.

Communication goes both ways. It's important you also feel that they'll voice their own concerns or thoughts as they come up.

People in nonmonogamous relationships may place even more value on emotional check-ins and frequent communication about what's happening with other partners.

Trust

Trust involves honesty and integrity. You don't keep secrets from each other. When you're apart, you don't worry about them pursuing other people.

But trust goes beyond believing they won't cheat or lie to you.

It also means you feel safe and comfortable with them and know they won't hurt you physically or emotionally. You know they have your best interests in mind but also respect you enough to encourage you to make your own choices.

A sense of yourself as a separate person

Healthy relationships are best described as interdependent. Interdependence means you rely on each other for mutual support but still maintain your identity as a unique individual.

In other words, your relationship is balanced. You know you have their approval and love, but your self-esteem doesn't depend on them. Although you're there for each other, you don't depend on each other to get all of your needs met.

You still have friends and connections outside the relationship and spend time pursuing your own interests and hobbies.

Curiosity

One key characteristic of healthy, long-term love is curiosity.

This means you're interested in their thoughts, goals, and daily life. You want to watch them grow into their best self. You're not fixated on who they used to be or who you think they should be.

"You hold flexible mindsets about each other," Antin adds.

Curiosity also means you're willing to consider or talk over changes to your relationship structure if aspects of your existing relationship become less fulfilling. It also involves realism. You see them for who they truly are and care about that person, not an idealized version of them.

Time apart

Most people in healthy relationships prioritize spending time together, though the amount of time you spend together can vary based on personal needs, work and other commitments, living arrangements, and so on.

But you also recognize the need for personal space and time on your own. Maybe you spend this time relaxing solo, pursuing a hobby, or seeing friends or family.

Whatever you do, you don't need to spend every moment together or believe your relationship suffers when you spend some time apart.

Playfulness or lightheartedness

It's important to make time for fun and spontaneity when the mood is right. If you can joke and laugh together, that's a good sign.

Sometimes life challenges or distress might affect one or both of you. This can temporarily change the tone of your relationship and make it hard to relate to each other in your usual ways.

But being able to share lighter moments that help relieve tension, even briefly, strengthens your relationship even in tough times.

Physical intimacy

Intimacy often refers to sex, but not always. Not everyone enjoys or wants sex. Your relationship can still be healthy without it - as long as you're both on the same page about getting your needs met.

If neither of you have interest in sex, physical intimacy might involve kissing, hugging, cuddling, and sleeping together. Whatever type of intimacy you share, physically connecting and bonding is important.

If you both enjoy sex, your physical relationship is most likely healthy when you:

feel comfortable initiating and talking about sex

can positively handle rejection

can discuss desires

feel safe expressing your interest in more or less sex

Healthy intimacy also involves respecting sexual boundaries. This includes:

not pressuring partners about sex or specific sex acts when they say no

sharing information about other partners

discussing sexual risk factors

Teamwork

A strong relationship can be considered a team. You work together and support each other, even when you don't see eye to eye on something or have goals that aren't exactly the same.

In short, you have each other's back. You know you can turn to them when you're struggling. And you're always ready to offer support when they need you.

Conflict resolution

Even in a healthy relationship, you'll have occasional disagreements and feel frustrated or angry with each other from time to time. That's completely normal. It doesn't mean your relationship is unhealthy.

What matters is how you address conflict. If you can talk about your differences politely, honestly, and with respect, you're on the right track.

Partners who address conflict without judgment or contempt can often find a compromise or solution.

Your relationship should contribute to a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and connection. If you tend to feel more anxious, distressed, or unhappy around your partner, your relationship may be struggling.

Signs of unhealthy relationships can vary widely, so this list isn't all-inclusive. But it may help point out some possible issues.

One of you tries to control or change the other

"We are never in control of changing another person," Antin says.

If you're concerned about a specific behavior, you should feel comfortable enough to bring it up. It's OK to express your feelings and ask them to consider making changes. But it's not OK to tell them what to do or attempt to control their behavior.

If they do something that really bothers you and you can't accept it, the relationship may not have long-term potential.

Your partner doesn't respect your boundaries

Boundaries can come into play across your relationship, from respectful communication to privacy needs. If you set a boundary and they push against it or pressure you to change it, that's a serious red flag.

Maybe you've said, "I need personal space when I get home from work. I'm happy to see you, but I need to de-stress before any physical affection."

But they continue to come up to you right when you get home, trying to kiss you and pull you into the bedroom. When you say no, they apologize and say "they just can't help themselves."

You might brush this off as a sign of affection and keep restating the boundary, hoping they'll get it eventually. But their behavior shows disrespect for your needs.

You don't spend much time together

Relationships often develop when people enjoy each other's company and want to spend even more time together. Life events can sometimes get in the way of your time together, but these changes are usually temporary.

Your relationship might be struggling if you consistently see less of each other without a clear reason, such as family difficulties or more responsibilities at work.

Other warning signs include feeling distant with each other or relieved when you aren't together. You might even try to find excuses to avoid spending time together.

The relationship feels unequal

Healthy relationships tend to be fairly well balanced. You might equally share finances, or balance out a lower income by running more errands.

But relationship equality can also relate to intangible things, such as affection, communication, and relationship expectations.

Periods of inequality can happen from time to time. One of you might temporarily lose your income, struggle to help with chores because of illness, or feel less affectionate due to stress or other emotional turmoil.

But if your relationship regularly feels unbalanced in any way, this can become problematic.

They say negative or hurtful things about you or others

There's nothing wrong with showing concern when your partner does something that worries you. But in a healthy relationship, partners generally take care to express their feelings in helpful, productive ways.

It's not healthy to constantly criticize each other or say intentionally hurtful things, especially about personal choices, such as food, clothing, or favorite TV shows. Criticism that makes you feel ashamed or bad about yourself is generally unproductive.

Also note how they talk about others. Your relationship with each other could seem perfectly healthy, but if they use hate speech, slurs, or make discriminatory remarks about others, consider what this behavior says about them as a person.

You don't feel heard in the relationship

Maybe you don't feel heard because they seem disinterested when you bring up a problem or share something that's been on your mind. Or you might have a hard time sharing your opinion or talking about serious issues because you worry they'll just brush you off.

Miscommunications can happen, of course. But if you do talk through an issue and they seem receptive but don't make any changes or seem to have completely forgotten what you talked about by the next day, that's also a warning sign.

You're afraid of expressing disagreement

Partners should always feel safe to have their own opinions, even when this means they disagree. If your partner responds to your (different) viewpoint with dismissal, contempt, or other rudeness, this often suggests they don't respect you or your ideas.

If you find yourself censoring everything you say because you worry about their reaction, or feel like you're "walking on eggshells" every day, as Antin puts it, it may be time to seek professional help.

If you fear physical or verbal abuse, talk to a therapist as soon as you can. Don't hesitate to reach out to friends and family for additional support, too.

You don't feel happy or comfortable around your partner

For many people, key relationship goals include increased happiness and life satisfaction. If you feel uneasy or unhappy all the time, the relationship may not be meeting your needs.

This can happen even when you're both putting effort into the relationship. People change over time, so feeling dissatisfied and trapped doesn't necessarily mean either of you have done anything "wrong." You may have just become different people who no longer fit well together.

Disagreements or discussions don't go anywhere

Healthy conflict resolution typically leads to solutions or compromise. Maintaining a relationship is an ongoing process, so you might not work everything out right away. But you usually feel good about your conversations afterward. You usually see some progress.

It's generally not a good sign when you find yourself talking in circles or about the same issues all the time. Maybe there's never any improvement, no matter how much you discuss something. Maybe they eventually just shut you out.

It's difficult to apply the same standards to every relationship. However, if you're looking for guidance on whether yours is healthy, there are a few things you can ask yourself as a sort of self-test.

If some (or several) of the relationship red flags struck home, couples counseling might be a good step.

"Couples therapy is about two people arriving to work on themselves," Antin says. Getting help doesn't mean you've failed. It means you want to work at improving, for yourselves and for each other.

But even the healthiest of relationships can sometimes use a little extra work. Here are some tips to make sure things stay on the right track.

Embrace each other's differences

"They might be ambitious, while you're more of a homebody," Antin says. "But this is a good dynamic, since one of you can initiate activity or go out and adventure, while one of you enjoys quiet time and keeps the home fire burning."

Consider their perspective

"Be curious about the way they do and see things instead of trying to get them to see things your way," Antin recommends.

Solve problems as a team

"Work together to solve problems, instead of making each other the problem," Antin says.

Ask for what you want, and be equally ready to listen to their desires

You may not always agree, but that's all right. You're two different people, after all. Being able to find a compromise is key.

Try something new together

If your relationship seems stale or like it's going nowhere, try taking it somewhere to see what happens. A change of scenery can sometimes change your perspective.

Talk about your goals and dreams

This can help you reconnect and make sure you still share similar hopes and values.

A shared love of spelunking and a mutual fondness for Indian food might have helped you meet your partner, but these factors have little to do with keeping your relationship healthy over time.

At the end of the day, you should trust each other and feel safe together. You should believe in your ability to learn and grow together.

If you're worried about your relationship or believe it's not as strong as it used to be, trust your instincts and explore what these feelings mean. A therapist can help offer guidance on when more effort might help and when it's time to move on.
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she's committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.
Read this article in Spanish.

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Healthy Relationships: 32 Signs, Tips, Red Flags, and More

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If you have or want a romantic relationship, you probably want a healthy one, right? But what's a healthy relationship, exactly? Well, it depends. Healthy relationships don't look the same for everyone since people have different needs. Your specific needs around communication, sex, affection, space, shared hobbies or values, and so on may change throughout life.

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Populate the front of this handout with resources specific to your community where your students may access health, mental health, sexual assault, drug and alcohol services and LGBTQ support. Statewide minor rights are described on the reverse side along with phone numbers of hotlines.

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Learn the facts about sexual health with articles about puberty, menstruation, infections, and just about everything else you wanted to know, for guys and girls.

Your Changing Body

STDs & Other Infections

Birth Control

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Learn the facts about sexual health with articles about puberty, menstruation, infections, and just about everything else you wanted to know, for guys and girls.

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Trusted information on everyday and complex child health conditions from The Hospital for Sick Children.

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The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to evolve in terms of the virus, new treatments and therapies, and public perception of the disease. The resources below provide the latest information about HIV/AIDS and prevention efforts as well as resources including videos, fact sheets, maps, and clinic locators for health professionals and lay persons alike.

AIDSVu
AIDSVu is a website that offers excellent HIV surveillance tools to stay abreast of the latest updates regarding the epidemic in the United States. AIDSVu provides visually engaging interactive maps, statistics, and fact sheets that offer accurate and easy to understand HIV/AIDS data.

AIDS.gov
The AIDS.gov website presents information on federal initiatives, events, and programs related to HIV/AIDS prevention. Additional resources include tools for new media and HIV prevention work, clinic locators, and a detailed resource section specifically for providers.

The Body
The Body is a website that uniquely features HIV/AIDS resources for various subgroups, including African-Americans, older adults, and newly diagnosed individuals. The Body also includes information about various mobile apps that aid in HIV management and the latest news in HIV/AIDS activist initiatives.

National Resource Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention among Adolescents
This website is designed specifically for providers and health professionals working with adolescents. With articles, evidence-based programs, and other information specific to various subgroups - such as American Indian, incarcerated, and Transgender adolescents - it is useful for individuals seeking the latest methods in HIV/AIDS prevention for youth populations.

Oregon Reminders
An initiative designed by YTH, this private service is designed for both HIV positive and negative individuals. It is a mobile program that provides weekly text message reminders to remind individuals to take their medication, get tested for HIV/STDs regularly, and offers other health tips for healthy living.

AIDSource: PrEP Navigation Resources

Homepage photo by Antti T. Nissinen, Creative Commons on Flickr.

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The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to evolve in terms of the virus, new treatments and therapies, and public perception of the disease. The resources below provide the latest information about HIV/AIDS and prevention efforts as well as resources including videos, fact sheets, maps, and clinic locators for health [...]

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What Is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a

virus that attacks the immune system. The immune system becomes weaker, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and some kinds of cancers.

Most people who are diagnosed early and take medicines for HIV can live long, healthy lives.

What Is AIDS?

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) happens after someone has had HIV for many years. In AIDS, the immune system is severely weakened. Serious infections and health problems happen.

Medicines can help prevent HIV from developing into AIDS.

How Do People Get HIV?

HIV spreads when infected blood or body fluids (such as semen or vaginal fluids) enter the body. This can happen:

during sex (especially anal sex and vaginal sex)

through sharing needles for injecting drugs ortattooing

by getting stuck with a needle with an infected person's blood on it

HIV also can pass from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

HIV is NOT spread through:

pee, poop, spit, throw-up, or sweat (as long as no blood is present)

coughing or sneezing

holding hands

sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of HIV and AIDS?

When first infected with HIV, a person may have:

fever

swollen glands

painful ulcers in the mouth or around the anus or penis

rash

muscle and joint pain

These symptoms go away in a few weeks. In the first few years after infection, someone with HIV may have mild symptoms, like swollen glands.

Because the symptoms of HIV can be mild at first, some people might not know they're infected. They can spread HIV to others without even knowing it.

After a few years, other symptoms start, including:

weight loss

increased number of infections

infections that are more severe than is typical

Without treatment, HIV can lead to a very weakened immune system and progress to AIDS. Illnesses that happen in AIDS are called "AIDS-defining conditions."

AIDS-defining conditions include:

very fast and severe weight loss (called wasting syndrome)

a lung infection called pneumocystis pneumonia

Kaposi sarcoma (a type of skin cancer)

lymphoma (cancer in immune system cells)

What Causes HIV and AIDS?

HIV destroys CD4 cells (also called T cells). CD4 cells are part of the immune system. They fight germs and help prevent some kinds of cancers.

How Is HIV Diagnosed?

Health care providers usually diagnose HIV through blood tests. Someone who has HIV is said to be "HIV positive."

Tests also are available without a prescription at the drugstore. You can do the test at home.

How Is AIDS Diagnosed?

HIV is diagnosed as AIDS when someone:

has fewer than 200 CD4 cells
or

develops an AIDS-defining condition

How Are HIV and AIDS Treated?

Medicines can help people with HIV stay healthy. They can also prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.

Health care providers prescribe a combination of different medicines for people with HIV and AIDS. They must be taken exactly as prescribed or they won't work. These medicines:

help keep the number of CD4 cells high

reduce the viral load of HIV (how much HIV is in the body)

Regular blood tests will check the number of CD4 cells in the body (called the CD4 cell count) and the viral load.

If an HIV-positive person's CD4 count gets low, doctors prescribe daily antibiotics. This prevents pneumocystis pneumonia, which happens in people with weakened immune systems.

Can HIV Be Prevented?

To reduce the risk of getting HIV, people who are sexually active should:

use a condom every time they have sex (including vaginal, oral, or anal sex)

get tested for HIV and make sure all partners do too

reduce their number of sexual partners

get tested and treated for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases); having an STD increases the risk of HIV infection

consider taking a medicine every day (called PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis) if they are at very high risk of getting infected (for example, if they are in a sexual relationship with someone with HIV)

For everyone:

Do not inject drugs or share any kind of needle.

Do not share razors or other personal objects that may touch blood.

Do not touch anyone else's blood from a cut or sore.

Looking Ahead

Treatment has improved greatly for people with HIV. By taking medicines and getting regular medical care, HIV-positive people can live long and healthy lives.

People with HIV need a medical care team for the best treatment and support.

If you or someone you know has HIV or AIDS it is important to:

goes to all doctor visits

takes all medicines exactly as directed

goes for all follow-up blood tests

understands what HIV/AIDS is and how it spreads

is physically active, gets enough sleep, and eats well

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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. The immune system becomes weaker, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and some kinds of cancers. Most people who are diagnosed early and take medicines for HIV can live long, healthy lives.

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Take the first step to love better

We're all born with the ability to love better, but it's an acquired skill. The first step toward having healthy relationships is learning to recognize the difference between unhealthy and healthy behavior.

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We're all born with the ability to love better, but it's an acquired skill. The first step toward having healthy relationships is learning to recognize the difference between unhealthy and healthy behavior.

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Not all relationships are healthy. You deserve one that is.

Relationships may be defined in different ways depending on who's involved, but healthy relationships all depend on a few key elements: healthy communication, healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and support for one another. Check in with each other's needs regularly while also giving each other space and privacy, and be sure to keep an eye out for the warning signs of dating abuse.

Remember: abuse is always a choice and you deserve to be respected in a healthy and loving relationship.

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Not all relationships are healthy. You deserve one that is. Relationships may be defined in different ways depending on who's involved, but healthy relationships all depend on a few key elements: healthy communication, healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and support for one another.

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An effective school health program can be one of the single most cost-effective investments a nation can make to simultaneously improve education and health. -World Health Organization

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An effective school health program can be one of the single most cost-effective investments a nation can make to simultaneously improve education and health. -World Health Organization

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Sitio para padres
Advice on children's health, behavior, and growth - from before birth through the teen years.
Sitio para niños
All about how the body works, homework help, and more - just for kids.
Sitio para adolescentes
Support and advice on health, emotions, and life - designed for teens and approved by doctors.

Expert-approved health education resources for PreK through 12th grade.

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Nemours KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health

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Sitio para padres Advice on children's health, behavior, and growth - from before birth through the teen years. Sitio para niños All about how the body works, homework help, and more - just for kids. Sitio para adolescentes Support and advice on health, emotions, and life - designed for teens and approved by doctors.

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives

Read the Statement

Get involved and join your community, local, or state GLSEN chapter

GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more.

Recent Research

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives Read the Statement GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more. Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs

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Sex Education During Distance Learning

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Sex Education During Distance Learning: What Schools Need to Know

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We've updated our web site!

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What's New

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AMAZE - Age appropriate puberty and sex education videos

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AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed and growing up. Real info in fun, animated sex education videos that give you the answers you actually want to know.

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Advocates for Youth Curriculum for Distance Learning Sample

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Physical Activity is for Today; Physical Education is for a Lifetime.

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The purpose of this website is to provide the physical education teachers of the Sweetwater Union High School District with a living resource for all of their instructional needs. This website will be actively supervised and updated frequently. Please take a look around and let us know what you think by posting a comment on the discussion forum.

Announcements

Check out Sweetwater Physical Education in the news! Click here.
Sweetwater Physical Education students are getting "Bugged"
Dramatic Rise in Fitness Scores for Sweetwater Students. Click here.
New Dance Steps from the Oprah Winfrey Show! Click here.

Sweetwater Union High School District

Follow Sweetwater PE on Twitter

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Physical Activity is for Today; Physical Education is for a Lifetime.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The purpose of this website is to provide the physical education teachers of the Sweetwater Union High School District with a living resource for all of their instructional needs. This website will be actively supervised and updated frequently. Please take a look around and let us know what you think by posting a comment on the discussion forum.

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Supportive educators save students' lives. Having just one visibly supportive educator in a school can ensure that LGBTQ students feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged to learn.

Show your support by displaying a Safe Space sticker and poster in your classroom. Learn how to discuss bullying, gender roles, or family diversity with elementary-aged students. Include positive representation of LGBTQ people in your curriculum. Inspire your students of all ages and all identities to be kind, support others, and speak up when they see bullying.

GLSEN's education team has created educator guides for each of our days of action, along with other resources for increasing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation in any curriculum. While GLSEN celebrates these days of action nationally at specific times during the year, all of our lessons, resources, and activities found here can be implemented at any time.

Check out the resources in the sections below for specific guides and tools related to GLSEN programs, days of action and more!

Join the thousands of educators who are helping GLSEN change schools across the country.

As a member of the GLSEN Educator Network, you'll receive emails that highlight GLSEN's resources and provide up-to-date information on GLSEN research. You will also receive current information on LGBTQ events and celebrations to help you plan for and implement a more inclusive curriculum, including direct information and new resources for GLSEN days of action like Solidarity Week.

Register to receive free GSA & school resources.

Join a national movement creating inclusive schools for all.

Educator Guides

Looking for ways to support Solidarity Week or the Day of Silence? Interested in finding ways to bring LGBTQ-visibility into your curriculum? You've come to the right place!

GLSEN's education team has created educator guides for each of our Days of Action, along with other resources for increasing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation into any curriculum. While GLSEN celebrates these Days of Action nationally at specific times throughout the year, the lessons, resources, and activities found here can be implemented at any time.

Check out the resources below for specific guides and tool related to GLSEN programs, days of action and more! Ready to supplement your curriculum? Explore our LGBTQ-Inclusive and Bullying, Bias & Diversity lesson plans.

Educator Guides and Resources

Policy and Advocacy Resources

Lesson Plans

Implementing GLSEN's free lesson plans and resources can help students develop the skills to interact in our diverse world with greater respect, empathy, and understanding.

Incorporate our lessons, found below, to:

Foster respect and understanding

Promote LGBTQ visibility and affirmation

Improve school climate

Build leadership

Encourage ally behavior

Ready for LGBTQ-specific lessons? Explore GLSEN's LGBTQ-inclusive curricular resources.

Teachers can be that figure you look up to. And when they are accepting of you, it means the world to you. To know that you're ok and that they are there for you. - Ximena, 9th grade

When educators are visibly supportive of LGBTQ students, everyone benefits. Through our Chapter-based Professional Development program, GLSEN offers tools and resources to thousands of educators who seek to make their classrooms and schools a safe place for all students. Based on 25+ years of experience and research, GLSEN boasts a robust educator training program with a series of modules curated to cover an array of topics suitable for a diverse range of audiences.

GLSEN research shows that the presence of supportive educators can have a significant positive impact on LGBTQ students' academic achievement, as well as on their psychological well-being and long-term educational aspirations. GLSEN Professional Development aims to empower educators to act in allyship with LGBTQ students.

Our Professional Development Workshops will assist educators in building the following skills:

Knowledge of LGBTQ student experiences in school

Understanding what allyship can provide for LGBTQ students

Awareness of the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ language and behavior in schools

Willingness and ability to intervene when anti-LGBTQ name-calling and bullying occurs

Willingness and ability to utilize curriculum inclusive of LGBTQ people, history and themes

Willingness to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ students and ensure safe schools for all

Access to resources and referral

NOTE: For GLSEN Professional Development Workshops, the term "educator" includes, but is not limited to: Current or future K-12 Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Paraprofessionals, Librarians, Nurses, Bus Drivers, District Staff, School Resource Officers, Cafeteria Workers, etc
To bring GLSEN Professional Development to your school, please fill out the following form.

Safe Space Kit

Educators like you can make a big difference for LGBTQ students. Just one gesture can change a student's life for the better: Put up a Safe Space Sticker in your classroom to start a conversation about acceptance and affirming LGBTQ identity.

GLSEN's Safe Space Kit provides you with practical ways to transform your school into a safer space for everyone, particularly LGBTQ students, by supporting and educating students, sharing your knowledge with other educators and advocating for school-wide changes. The Safe Space Kit not only guides you through making an assessment of your school's climate and recommends affirming policies and best practices, but also outlines strategies that you may use to advocate for change, including posting a Safe Space Sticker or Safe Space Poster in your classroom or office. You can purchase them in the GLSEN Shop, or download digital copies for free here.

GLSEN Chapters also offer professional development opportunities that include our Safe Space Kit and support educators in creating safer and more affirming learning environments.

Rainbow Library

The Rainbow Library is a GLSEN program that sends LGBTQ+ affirming text sets to schools across the country - for free.

Any full-time staff member at a K-12 school in a participating state or county is welcome to request a Rainbow Library. All types of K-12 schools are eligible: district, magnet, charter, and independent. Each school that applies will be eligible for one Rainbow Library text set, and sets are provided on a first-come, first served basis.

Founded 25 years ago, GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students. GLSEN has volunteer-run chapters in 31 states.

School Year Calendar

The school year is full of opportunities to participate in GLSEN events, address LGBTQ and social justice issues, learn about diverse communities, and take action to create safer and more affirming schools for all.

Use this calendar to schedule your GSA meetings, lesson plans, student events, and staff development workshops, and as part of your ongoing diversity, equity, and LGBTQ-inclusion efforts. Follow us @GLSEN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we'll be sharing related resources and lesson plans for these events throughout the year.

Misgendering, Gender Terminology & Pronouns

Misgendering hurts. Support educators by teaching students how to respect each others' pronouns and bringing awareness to a wider range of gender terminology.

As a class and in small groups, students watch a video about pronouns, have a conversation about pronouns, and discuss misgendering. As a class, students discuss ways to combat misgendering and how they can make sure the gender pronouns of all students are respected.

For all of us, learning an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum can help us better understand our world and our differences. For LGBTQ students in particular, it can mean feeling safer at school and hearing homophobic and transphobic remarks less frequently, according to GLSEN research. Looking back at history is the easiest way to get LGBTQ-inclusivity into any curriculum. That's why we're sharing our resources below, which include an interactive timeline and coloring book as well as many other classroom resources suitable for a range of students ages K-12.

Recognizing these benefits, former GLSEN Chapter leader Rodney Wilson, with the support of GLSEN's founder Kevin Jennings and many others, founded LGBTQ History Month in October 1994. While you can use these resources every October, they're perfect for use all year, so that students see the benefits year round.

A great resource you can use to learn and teach about LGBTQ history is Making Gay History, the critically acclaimed and award-winning podcast that brings LGBTQ history to life through the voices of the people who lived it. Listen to the podcasts below to hear about the lives and legacies of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were participants in the New York Stonewall riots in 1969.

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Supportive educators save students' lives. Having just one visibly supportive educator in a school can ensure that LGBTQ students feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged to learn. Show your support by displaying a Safe Space sticker and poster in your classroom. Learn how to discuss bullying, gender roles, or family diversity with elementary-aged students.

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AMAZE - Age appropriate puberty and sex education videos

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AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed and growing up. Real info in fun, animated sex education videos that give you the answers you actually want to know.

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"We must protect all children from being subjected to the worst forms of labor, from becoming victims of human trafficking and from being forced into armed conflicts around the world. At the same time, we must help them to pursue an education and obtain proper healthcare, and we
​must address the poverty and economic inequality that too often drives children to work."
​
- Dr. Lorretta Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers

One of the most disturbing problems of our globalized society is the continued presence of human trafficking. It is a human rights crime that traps millions in cycles of exploitation- through prostitution, forced labor, or child soldiering- and is often called our own modern-day slavery. This lesson focuses on the problem of child trafficking in the United States and how your students can become part of the solution.

Issues such as human trafficking can overwhelm students, but having them involved in projects to address the issue teaches that they need not be powerless. Your class can take action by demanding Congress to reauthorize the "Trafficking Victims Protection Act" through an online petition hosted by the anti-trafficking group, Polaris. Students also can get involved with other campaigns, like the student movement to abolish modern-day slavery, "Not on Our Turf," created by Project Stay Gold. Encourage your students to research local organizations accepting volunteers.

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"We must protect all children from being subjected to the worst forms of labor, from becoming victims of human trafficking and from being forced into armed conflicts around the world. At the same time, we must help them to pursue an education and obtain proper healthcare, and we ​must address the poverty and economic inequality that too often drives children to work."

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Teaching difficult topics during distance learning

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Teaching difficult topics during distance learning

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An effective school health program can be one of the single most cost-effective investments a nation can make to simultaneously improve education and health. -World Health Organization

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An effective school health program can be one of the single most cost-effective investments a nation can make to simultaneously improve education and health. -World Health Organization