A Culturally Proficient Response to LGBT Communities
A Guide for Educators
- Randall B. Lindsey - California State University Los Angeles, USA
- Richard M. Diaz - Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program
- Kikanza Nuri-Robins - The Robins Group
- Raymond D. Terrell - Miami University, (OH)
- Delores B. Lindsey - California State University, San Marcos, USA
Foreword by Timothy Kaltenecker
Positive systemic change begins when school leaders elevate understanding and propel schools toward safe and diverse-friendly environments. To combat anti-gay discrimination, educators often use silence, policy, legislation and compliance. This brave book maintains that building safe and welcoming schools begins not only with effective and appropriate policy but also with inside-out analysis of one's own beliefs and values. Resulting cultural proficiencies boost empathy and improve learning environments. On this simple premise, readers will find:
- Inside-out growth through personal stories and case-studies
- Reflection through activities appropriate for individuals and teams
- Insight through current responses to bullying
"A Culturally Proficient Response to LGBT Communities is one of the most authentic books I have ever read on how to be more inclusive and equitable to the LGBT school community. The reflection, dialogue, and going deeper sections provide educators with the opportunity to do the inside-outside work necessary to be a culturally proficient educator inclusive of LGBT colleagues, students, and parents/community members. This book contains numerous practical applications written in the context of the cultural proficiency framework, guiding principles, tools, and continuum that make it immediately applicable and user friendly for schools."
"With the goal of genuine inclusion and equity for the LGBTQ community, this is a timely and superbly written book for educational leaders striving to support personal transformation and social change in their schools and beyond."
"Culturally proficient persons are urgently needed who will take the initiative to change prejudicial beliefs and educational practices, biased interactions, discrimination, or bullying directed toward anyone in the LGBT or broader community. This text enhances the critical reflection, will, and skills needed to help make cultural democracy a reality for all."
"Cultural competence as a construct requires a commitment to address more than race, ethnicity, gender, disability and socioeconomics. LGBTQ students are often bullied or excluded, are statistically over-represented among teen suicides, and have lower graduation rates overall. Because of fear, shame, and peer pressure, they often suffer in silence. The needs of these students are often overlooked because educators are unaware, uncomfortable, or poorly informed. The culturally competent school is proactive in its awareness of the needs of these students, its willingness to intervene, and its skills in working with LGBTQ issues."
"LGBT students want to be respected and understood as individuals; not just as a member of a demographic group or other impersonal category. Our schools and districts should be a safe, healthy, secure and inclusive environment for all employees and students. We need to ensure that there is a teacher in every classroom who cares that ALL students are treated with respect."
"This book provides essential tools for educators who want to make schools safe and welcoming for all students. Utilizing the conceptual framework of Cultural Proficiency, the authors expertly discuss a case analysis and practical example of one school district delving into providing equity and inclusion for their LGBT community. Throughout the book there are discussion sections and personal reflection opportunities to engage educators in dialogue about school responses to LGBT students - including bullying, adult perceptions, engaging bystanders, and providing resources. The glossary of terms that relate to LGBT communities is also exceptionally helpful in framing conversations and creating an understanding of this important topic for educators. I could not put this book down; in my nearly 25 years of education I have not come across a resource that handles the needs of LGBT students as sensitively and supportively as these authors have using the tools of Cultural Proficiency."
"The authors of this text apply their proven expertise of the deeply relational notions of Cultural Proficiency to the needs of school children marginalized by homophobia and heterosexism. Discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity are only rarely and controversially included in educational discourse, even while students such as Zac—quoted in the book’s introduction—notes that, 'I did not feel safe in my own school, a place where I am supposed to be able to be myself and learn who I am.' In this text, the authors make it absolutely clear that school is the place for addressing issues of equity and for advancing a more generous and accepting society. Most of us have seen messages from the It Gets Better campaign, a project designed to bring attention and commitment to providing hope for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and other bullied human beings. In this inspiring text the authors show how it gets better. And just as importantly, they explain why it must get better—because, according to Zac, the bigotry and intolerance 'hurt me and it hurts everyone.'"
