Changing the Game: Including LGBT Students on School Sports Teams AAHPERD, 2012 Pat Griffin,...

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Changing the Game: Including LGBT Students on School Sports

Teams

AAHPERD, 2012

Pat Griffin,Director, Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports

Project

sports.glsen.org

sports.glsen.org

Workshop Goals

Some Definitions

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Some Definitions

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Some Definitions

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education?

• Importance of physical activity to overall student health and well-being

• Central role of athletics in schools

• Leadership and visibility of coaches and athletes in schools

sports.glsen.org

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education?

• Sport culture in which anti-LGBT name calling, taunting, bullying, hazing are sometimes viewed as part of the game

• Gender and sexuality stereotypes associated with sports participation

• Locker rooms, PE classes and sports teams as gendered spaces

sports.glsen.org

Why Focus on Sports and Physical Education?

•Unique nature of physical activity instructional environment

•Many physical education preparation programs do not address these issues

•Many part-time coaches do not participate in staff development, leading to decreased awareness of school anti-bullying policies

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GLSEN School Climate Survey Results

Many Students Perceive Locker Rooms, Bathrooms, Gyms, Playing

Fields as Unsafe Spaces

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Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education:

What Does It Look Like?

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Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education:

What Does It Look Like?

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Anti-LGBT Name-Calling and Bullying in School Athletics And Physical Education:

What Does It Look Like?

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Name-Calling/Bullying: How Do We Stop It?

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LEZZY!

FAGGOT! HOMO!

INSERT RESPONSE

HERE

That’s So Gay!

What Keeps Teachers from Responding to Name-Calling/Bullying?

• Pervasiveness, Belief that things won’t change• Belief that name-calling is a harmless right of

passage for young people• Lack of Skills, Don’t know what to say• Lack of Awareness, Don’t see/hear it• Fear of Student Reaction, Losing control• Lack of Administrative Support

sports.glsen.org

Being the Change You Want to See

A Model for Changing the Climate

S.P.R.E.A Model for Addressing Name-Calling/Bullying

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Show = Be an Example of Respect and Support

•Use respectful language•Use inclusive, gender-neutral language•Learn and use students’ preferred names•Be positive and encouraging•Expect the best from students•Show interest in individual students

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Prevent = Communicate Expectations From the Start

• Discuss/Identify expectations for student interactions at the start of each unit/season

• Post rules for student interactions• Give specific examples• Ask students to sign a class/team respect

pledge

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Student Behavior Expectations

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Participation and Interaction Rules

Respond = If It’s Mean, Intervene

•If you see something, say something

•Keep it simple: “That’s not ok in this class” or “You are better than that.”

•Address it and keep things moving

sports.glsen.org

Educate = Expand on Response

• Grab a Teachable Moment – Take more time, follow-up, have a conversation

• Plan a Lesson – Plan and teach a lesson/activity with the objective of increasing respectful student interactions, eliminating name-calling

• Talk about Respect Challenge – Why, What

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What Do You Typically Do?

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How Can You Expand on What is Typical for You?

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Practice: The Key to Success

Practice: The Key to Success

A Great Resource for Physical Education and

Athletics

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Sports Project Mission

Make K-12 athletics and physical education safe, respectful and

inclusive for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions

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Resources For:•Coaches

•Physical Educators

•Students

•Parents

•Administrators

Sports Project Resources

sports.glsen.org

Safe Sports Space

Campaign

Ask School Physical Education and Coaching Staff toParticipate in the Safe Sports Space Campaign

Sports Project Resources

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Our School’sSafe Sports Space Rules

No Teasing or TauntingNo Name-Calling

No BullyingPlay Within the Rules

Treat Others With RespectTake Turns

Cheer Others OnShare the Ball

Have FunWin or Lose, Be A Good Sport

sports.glsen.org

Even More Resources

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Physical Education Class Respect Pledge

No Name-Calling Lesson/Activity Plan

Team Respect Challenge

Invite School Teams to Take TheTeam Respect Challenge Pledge

Amherst Regional High SchoolGirls Softball Team

Staples High SchoolBoys Soccer Team

Sports Project Resources

sports.glsen.org

Sports Project Resources

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Start a Bring Your ‘A’ Game Campaign Among Athletes in Your School

sports.glsen.org

If LGBT students in your school named an all-staradult ally team, would you make the cut?

How Can LGBT Students Know If You Are A Supportive, Approachable Adult?

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• Use Respectful and Inclusive Language• Call All Students By Preferred Name• Give Clear Expectations for Respectful

Student Interactions and Behavior• Respond to Name-Calling and Bullying• Post “Safe Space” Posters or Stickers• Monitor Safety in Locker Rooms, Bathrooms• Participate in GSA-sponsored Events

How Can You Change The Game In Your Program?

sports.glsen.org

What Strategies or Ideas Did You Learn Today?

What Will You Do To Make Your PE or Athletic Program Safer and More Inclusive for All Students?

What is Your Plan Of Action?

RESPECT.Are You Bringin’ It?

Pat Griffinsportsproject@glsen.org

sports.glsen.org

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