Lesbian
Gay
Bi-sexual
Transgender
Queer/questioning
Gay
Bi-sexual
Transgender
Queer/questioning
ARE YOU UP ON THE LINGO?
Some of the terminology in current use about gender, sexual identity and LGBTQ life can be very confusing. SpeakOutBoston has a very helpful definitions sheet as well as a list of LOCAL RESOURCES. Check it out.
Some of the terminology in current use about gender, sexual identity and LGBTQ life can be very confusing. SpeakOutBoston has a very helpful definitions sheet as well as a list of LOCAL RESOURCES. Check it out.
B-PEN HOSTS PARENT NETWORKS TO TALK ABOUT LGBTQ HEALTH ISSUES
Gender, sexual identity, and LGBTQ life can be very confusing. B-PEN hosts periodic meetings for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) families and allies. These meetings bring together parents of LGBTQ students to talk about ideas for supporting the health and emotional wellbeing of our students. Discussions address questions, concerns, resources, and physical/mental health issues as well as provide an opportunity for parents to connect (and help their children connect, if appropriate) to a larger community. Hope Schroy, B-PEN social worker and Family Resource Advocate, facilitates these meetings, along with other BHS parents. If you would like to be part of the list serve for any additional initiatives, contact Hope Schroy (617-713-5155, [email protected]). If your child would like to speak to someone, they or you can contact Mary Minott in Room 149 (617-713-5149, [email protected]
Gender, sexual identity, and LGBTQ life can be very confusing. B-PEN hosts periodic meetings for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) families and allies. These meetings bring together parents of LGBTQ students to talk about ideas for supporting the health and emotional wellbeing of our students. Discussions address questions, concerns, resources, and physical/mental health issues as well as provide an opportunity for parents to connect (and help their children connect, if appropriate) to a larger community. Hope Schroy, B-PEN social worker and Family Resource Advocate, facilitates these meetings, along with other BHS parents. If you would like to be part of the list serve for any additional initiatives, contact Hope Schroy (617-713-5155, [email protected]). If your child would like to speak to someone, they or you can contact Mary Minott in Room 149 (617-713-5149, [email protected]
DAY OF DIALOGUE, DAY OF SILENCE -- MARCH 20 & 21, 2018
For BHS's annual Day of Dialogue, the Gay-Trans-Straight Alliance sponsors assemblies all day to raise awareness about the struggles of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and to help to make BHS safer, more accepting, and better informed. Panels and presentations give powerful testimony to the vast range and unique challenges of the LGBTQ experience. Audiences are packed and enthusiastically supportive as students and faculty share their stories.
One year’s event gave an extra focus on gender identity and what it means to be transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, or non-binary, since BHS has an increasing number of students who identify in this way. The BHS community learned about “coming out,” “letting in,” that “they” is a legitimate pronoun, and that gender identity and sexuality is not necessarily either/or but rather a rich spectrum that doesn’t always invite convenient labeling. As one student so eloquently put it, “If you shove a fragile object into a misshapen box, it will be damaged.”
The following day, BHS observed Day of Silence. As part a national annual observance, many students at the school declined to talk during the day to raise awareness of the thousands of people who stay silent about being LGBTQ for fear of bullying and harassment. B-PEN urges you to ask your students about these two moving, stimulating days and continue the conversation at home.
BOOK ON "OUR TRANS LOVED ONES"
PFLAG recently released an excellent new publication of “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER AND GENDER EXPANSIVE” that beautifully addresses some of the issues families face, serving as a support guidebook of experiences, expertise, knowledge, and resources. Check it out…
One paragraph serves as brilliant advice for all of us:
The most important thing for all children to know, at a very deep level, is that they are loved unconditionally. It seems like a fundamental concept of family, but when children are brave enough to look at themselves at such a deep level and share their reflections with those around them, it is crucial to remind them over and over of how proud you are of them for asserting this level of authenticity. It is the bravest thing a human being can do and when a child is celebrated for doing so by a parent, caretaker, family member, or friend, it can be heartwarming; more importantly, it can be lifesaving.
Also, American Academy of Pediatrics offers a terrific guide for "Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children," and Gender Spectrum just released a new guide for supporting transgender children grade K-12 that offers a wealth of valuable information.
LGBTQ BULLYING STARTS EARLY
Parents are noticing that bullying over LGBTQ issues can start as early as first grade. However, parents can make a huge difference. Check out this recent report on WBUR.
For BHS's annual Day of Dialogue, the Gay-Trans-Straight Alliance sponsors assemblies all day to raise awareness about the struggles of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and to help to make BHS safer, more accepting, and better informed. Panels and presentations give powerful testimony to the vast range and unique challenges of the LGBTQ experience. Audiences are packed and enthusiastically supportive as students and faculty share their stories.
One year’s event gave an extra focus on gender identity and what it means to be transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, or non-binary, since BHS has an increasing number of students who identify in this way. The BHS community learned about “coming out,” “letting in,” that “they” is a legitimate pronoun, and that gender identity and sexuality is not necessarily either/or but rather a rich spectrum that doesn’t always invite convenient labeling. As one student so eloquently put it, “If you shove a fragile object into a misshapen box, it will be damaged.”
The following day, BHS observed Day of Silence. As part a national annual observance, many students at the school declined to talk during the day to raise awareness of the thousands of people who stay silent about being LGBTQ for fear of bullying and harassment. B-PEN urges you to ask your students about these two moving, stimulating days and continue the conversation at home.
BOOK ON "OUR TRANS LOVED ONES"
PFLAG recently released an excellent new publication of “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER AND GENDER EXPANSIVE” that beautifully addresses some of the issues families face, serving as a support guidebook of experiences, expertise, knowledge, and resources. Check it out…
One paragraph serves as brilliant advice for all of us:
The most important thing for all children to know, at a very deep level, is that they are loved unconditionally. It seems like a fundamental concept of family, but when children are brave enough to look at themselves at such a deep level and share their reflections with those around them, it is crucial to remind them over and over of how proud you are of them for asserting this level of authenticity. It is the bravest thing a human being can do and when a child is celebrated for doing so by a parent, caretaker, family member, or friend, it can be heartwarming; more importantly, it can be lifesaving.
Also, American Academy of Pediatrics offers a terrific guide for "Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children," and Gender Spectrum just released a new guide for supporting transgender children grade K-12 that offers a wealth of valuable information.
LGBTQ BULLYING STARTS EARLY
Parents are noticing that bullying over LGBTQ issues can start as early as first grade. However, parents can make a huge difference. Check out this recent report on WBUR.
In Brookline’s most recent , 11% of Brookline High School (BHS) students reported that they were either lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning. ( YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEYThe “Summary of Results” offers a particularly enlightening snapshot of the experience of LGBTQ teens at BHS.) The good news is that adolescents and teens who identify as LGBTQ (the “t” stands for transgender) are experiencing more support than ever before. The current generation of young people seems less prone to static labeling, and today’s more fluid culture of gender identity and sexual orientation embraces a wide spectrum between those who clearly identify as heterosexual on one end to those identifying as homosexual on the other.
However, bias and misinformation still create a need for greater understanding and appreciation for what many LGBTQ teens go through. In addition to all the usual developmental issues with which teens grapple, LGBTQ teens in a predominantly heterosexual environment often face feelings of confusion and sexuality stress as they develop a sense of self and try to fit in with peers. In homophobic environments, they also face discrimination, rejection and harassment by others. LGBTQ youth are one of the highest risk populations for mental health problems and unhealthy behaviors (smoking, drug use, excessive alcohol use, sexual risk behaviors, poor exercise and nutrition.) In Brookline, 84% of LGBTQ teens report feeling overwhelming stress. However, studies show parental support has proven hugely helpful in helping LGBTQ teens safe and healthy. So what do parents need to know? Check out this new parents' guide for raising healthy LGBTQ teens. And check out this tip sheet on SEXUAL IDENTITY TERMS as well as the Genderbread Person below, from itspronouncedmetrosexual.com |
PARENT SUPPORT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Recent studies on families with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) children suggest that parents who accept and advocate for their non-heterosexual teens may be protecting them from depression and ill health as adults. (Read the full article here.) Just having the trust for to come out to one’s parents can make a huge difference in a teen’s self-esteem and overall mental health. Check out these articles as well: * Parental Support of Coming Out Improves Long-Term Health * Parental Acceptance a Top Concern for LGBT Teens * Research Findings: Parental, Social Acceptance of Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Teens Can Reduce Rates of Suicide, Substance Abuse * Study Links Gay Teens' Parental Rejection to Future Health Risks * Michael Sam's Story Offers Tips for Starting the Conversation * Dr. Normal Spack's TedX Talk on Helping Transgender Teens * Mimi Lemay's Powerful Letter to her Transgender Son - WBUR HEALTH SURVEY STUDIES LGBQ BROOKLINE TEENS
The latest information from Healthy Brookline Volume XV, a special BROOKLINE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY on Health Risk Behaviors and Sexual Identity has been released. The “Summary of Results” offers a particularly enlightening snapshot of the experience of LGBTQ teens at BHS. |
NEED HELP RIGHT AWAY? Suicide is higher among LGBTQ youth than in heterosexual teens. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. The organization offers a wealth of information as well as a 24/7 hotline – 1-866-488-7386. Excellent articles include: * Talking About Suicide Among LGBTQ Teens * Understanding Suicide Attempts in LGBTQ Teens TRANSGENDER TEENS Transgender youth have even more complicated issues as they struggle with feeling trapped in the wrong body and being marginalized by society. Read one teen's powerful story and transgender youth Skylar Kergil's remarkable video series documenting his female/male transformation. "Raising Zay" is one family's poignant and inspiring story of a child's transgender experience. Kathleen Burge's excellent Boston Globe story is also worth a read. Also consider these links: * Advocates for Youth On Transgender Health * Transgender Health Care" * Gender Spectrum NBC News' excellent series "Raising a Transgender Child" highlights how early transgender issues can manifest, but experts use a simple criteria that can help parents decide what is real vs. what might be a phase. Look for behavior that is "CONSISTENT, INSISTENT AND PERSISTENT." Confused about pronouns? It can seem tricky when referring to people who identify as transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, or non-binary. Check out these two tip sheets -- What is a Preferred Gender Pronoun? and The PGP Cheat Sheet. WHAT DOES QUEER MEAN?
For many, the term "queer" has long been regarded as pejorative, but more and more LGBTQ people are adapting the word to convey their sexual orientation and gender identity, using the “Q” in LBGTQ to stand not for “questioning” but for a more broad view of the gender spectrum. This Huffington Post video discussion on “What is Queer?” offers some provocative thoughts on the matter. |
PARENTING TEENS WHO MAY BE SEXUALLY ACTIVE
A critical component of adolescent development is the formation of new relationships that feed into the exploration of sexuality. These relationships help teens gain the experience they need for more lasting relationships in the future. As parents, we are vital role models and voices of wisdom for helping our children forge these relationships in ways that are safe and healthy. Click here for an article from Planned Parenthood that offers some excellent tips for connecting with and supporting your teen. Another excellent website that offers a full range of information on teen sexuality is Advocates for Youth. In addition to universal information, the organization also has a terrific page dedicated to the special challenges facing LGBTQ youth. The Healthy Teen Network offers a valuable Advocacy Resource Guide, and for LGBTQ youth in crisis, the website/hotline The Trevor Project could be a lifesaver. * RECOMMENDED READING about LGBTQ Teens * Technology, Teen Dating Violence and Abuse, and Bullying A new study on teen dating violence has found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender teenagers are at much greater risk of dating abuse than their heterosexual counterparts. Read this informative report. LoveIsRespect.org also offers some valuable information, including this excellent report on abuse among same-sex couples. Sam Killermann’s dynamite Tedx Talk on “Understanding the Complexities of Gender” clearly breaks down the difference between gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex in a way that’s both highly informative and very entertaining. His book is highly recommended, too –“The Social Advocate’s Handbook: A Guide to Gender.” Looking at colleges? BestColleges.com put together a list of 25 colleges that claim to go above and beyond in addressing the needs of LGBTQ students through anti-discrimination initiatives, dedicated resource centers, and vocal support. Worth a look… http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-colleges-for-lgbt-students/ |
LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES
Brookline High School Drug and Violence Prevention Team, Mary Minott, 617.713.5155
List of Local Supports for adolescents
http://gbpflag.org/ Greater Boston
www.outmetrowest.org
www.theparentsproject.com
www.outproudfamilies.com
www.advocatesforyouth.org
www.glaad.org
www.healthyteennetwork.org
www.thetrevorproject.org crisis intervention for LGBT youth
www.glsen.org
http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/publications
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
For teens -- www.everyoneisgay.com
www.bagly.org/resources (Boston)
www.itgetsbetter.org
www.SpeakOutBoston.org
Books for teens questioning gender identity and sexuality :
http://ccb.lis.illinois.edu/bibliographies/Gender_May2011.htm
Legal Resources for LGBTQ
Brookline High School Drug and Violence Prevention Team, Mary Minott, 617.713.5155
List of Local Supports for adolescents
http://gbpflag.org/ Greater Boston
www.outmetrowest.org
www.theparentsproject.com
www.outproudfamilies.com
www.advocatesforyouth.org
www.glaad.org
www.healthyteennetwork.org
www.thetrevorproject.org crisis intervention for LGBT youth
www.glsen.org
http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/publications
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
For teens -- www.everyoneisgay.com
www.bagly.org/resources (Boston)
www.itgetsbetter.org
www.SpeakOutBoston.org
Books for teens questioning gender identity and sexuality :
http://ccb.lis.illinois.edu/bibliographies/Gender_May2011.htm
Legal Resources for LGBTQ
ARE YOU UP ON THE TERMINOLOGY?
For parents as well as kids, some of the terminology now being used in relation to gender, sexual identity and LGBTQ life can be confusing. SpeakOutBoston has an excellent new definitions sheet, as well as a list of very helpful LOCAL RESOURCES. Check it out.
For parents as well as kids, some of the terminology now being used in relation to gender, sexual identity and LGBTQ life can be confusing. SpeakOutBoston has an excellent new definitions sheet, as well as a list of very helpful LOCAL RESOURCES. Check it out.