Dear John,
When schools began closing in March, we reached out to our community to learn what resources you needed during this pandemic. One common request was recommendations for supporting students from a distance.
We know LGBTQ students may be particularly in need of support during social distancing. Recently, the number of LGBTQ youth using crisis contact services spiked at nearly two times the normal volume. Some students may face unsafe environments at home and feel especially isolated without support from GSAs, friends or affirming adults at school. It’s clear they need support right now.
For guidance and recommendations for supporting LGBTQ students through social distancing, we spoke with The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention, crisis intervention and educational program that serves LGBTQ youth.
We asked questions like:
- What are you hearing right now from LGBTQ youth?
- What should educators and adults know about how LGBTQ youth are handling increased social isolation, time at home and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How do school closures specifically affect LGBTQ students who find an accepting community at school or do not find acceptance at home?
- Are there ways educators, school leaders or counselors can signal support to LGBTQ students who may be in unaccepting environments?
- What steps can educators follow if LGBTQ students disclose that they are in crisis during a time of distance learning?
- What recommendations can educators pass along to LGBTQ youth to combat feelings of social isolation?
Check out our Q&A with the Trevor Project to learn more about how you can support LGBTQ students during this time.
As always, thanks for all you are doing for students.
Teaching Tolerance
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