Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGTB Youth
by Annmarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy

Talking Point #1:

Fifteen year old Justin Aaberg died by suicide after being bullied because of his sexual orientation.  His mother, Tammy, pinpointed the problem, stating,"Most of the teachers and principals...mean well-they want to intervene.  But the teachers still do know what they can and can't do".  The text goes on to read that "LGTB students need advocacy and protection, not neutrality".  (pg. 84)

Talking Point #2:

Integration and interpretation are strategies of LGBT experiences and contributions, that if used used across all disciplines in education, can transform our classrooms into safe places.  The text goes on to acknowledge that as teachers, we have no control over what curriculum we are required to teach. However, we can integrate and recognize 'teachable moments' where we can interpret the LBGT community for our students. (pg. 90)

Talking Point #3:

"Language is a tool...speech is performative-it does things". The authors of Safe Spaces go on to write that, "Words invite or exclude, recognize or erase, empower or intimidate, examine or assume".  Powerful in and of themselves.  Now, apply this to the student in your classroom who is the child of a gay or lesbian couple; or a student who is gay or lesbian.  Words from peers can be damning or bullying.  Justin Aaberg is just one example of what word can do: cause a young person  to die by suicide.  Imagine if the language had been changed, if teachers and administrators were empowered to do than just stand by?  Imagine a classroom, school, community where tolerance and acceptance was the norm?  (Those are my thoughts). (pg. 95)

The authors, Vaccaro, August, and Kennedy, argue that more work needs to be done to insure that our LGTB youth are represented in curriculum.