The Inclusion of LGBTQ Youth in Catholic Schools: Opportunities to facilitate their well-being
Date
2018-04-16
Authors
Gartner, Carmen
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Abstract
Students who may or may not openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ) face institutionalized heterosexism and victimization in schools. These experiences can be amplified for those students attending Catholic schools. Watered down discrimination policies and lack of inclusive supports can encourage these students to find ways to hide their gender or sexual nonconformity. While the Minister of Education in Alberta announced that all schools need to support students in the form of GSAs (GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCES or GENDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCES), some Christian schools are outright opposing the formation of these clubs in their schools. Literature in the area of LGBTQ education points to the necessity of school supports as these students are some of the most at-risk youth. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the factors needed to develop a fully inclusive and supportive school environment for LGBTQ students attending Catholic schools.
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Keywords
LGBTQ, Catholic Schools, Inclusion, At-risk, GSA, curriculum