LGBTIQ Students: (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning)

This population of students is growing in schools, and this minority makes up ten percent
of the general student population. Regardless of religious or personal preferences, all students,
including LGBTIQ students, have equal rights as any other student on campus. The priority of all
schools is to offer a safe place for students to receive an education; however, the current
stigma being placed upon this particular population of students is clearly making their learning
environment unsafe: physically, psychologically, and emotionally. The following are
recommendations for cultural awareness in schools for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Intersex, and Questioning student population:
1. Develop or Update a Non-Discriminatory Policy
a. This policy should be a part of the student handbook, teacher handbook, and
district handbook to show support of all students.
2. Create a Safe Environment
a. Schools should ensure that all complaints filed follow a step-by-step investigation
and follow-up
3. Professional Development
a. Schools/Districts should provide training for teachers and personnel on how to
detect and report violent and suicidal behaviors due to harassment towards this
student population.
4. Make Educational Materials Available
a. Schools should incorporate real-world examples dealing with LGBTIQ situations,
have LGBTIQ resources available in the library, and provide information in health
education and care.
5. School-based Support Groups/Clubs
a. Schools and teachers should be aware that clubs and organizations may form from
this student population, and they should give the same support to an LGBTIQ
club like any other.
Suburban Poverty Students:

Deceivingly, students who come from poverty situations and who live in the suburbs are
a growing student population at two times the rate of students of the same scenario in inner
cities. This student population needs to be in the forefront of school districts minds because this
population affects every suburban-based public school. Studies have shown that students who
come from low-income families are at much higher risks to: drop out of school, engage in sexual
relationships at an early age, have a child before eighteen, steal, run away, and more. Schools,
districts and community often overlook this issue in the suburbs because it is not what is
considered a normal issue; however, ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Schools
can create a cultural awareness to meet the needs of this student population to help prevent the
above issues by engaging in the following:
1. Know Your Community
a. Schools need to have a sense of community and awareness, and by doing so, they
are able to identify those students who are a part of this growing population for
preventative measures.
2. Create a Support System
a. Students need to feel that they can come to any teacher or counselor to talk to
about needs they may have at home: lack of food, clothes, heat, or necessities in
general.
3. Teacher Awareness/Relationships
a. Teachers need to know their students and know this population of students
because it is difficult to motivate a student who may be hungry or cold.
4. School-Community Partnerships
a. By building a strong partnership between the school and community, students of
that school and their familys needs could be met through the support of the
community.