moash - training - 116

GSA Advisor Workshop 
Description: 

Many supportive educators and school staff are asked to be Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) advisors, but don’t know where to start. GSAs (also known as gender and sexuality alliances, queer straight alliances, and other names) are student-driven clubs for LGBTQ+ students and allies. They play a huge role in making schools more safe and supportive. This workshop, for both prospective and current advisors, covers the landscape of LGBTQIA+ youth’s experiences in and out of schools, how advisors can be allies and advocates in a youth-driven group, and practical skills to help start, facilitate, and sustain a GSA.

In this training, participants will:

  • Self-reflect on their own identities, experiences, and biases.
  • Discuss what it means to be an adult ally to a youth-driven group. 
  • Gain a better understanding of the complexities of gender and sexuality.
  • Review relevant and current data on LGBTQIA+ youth.
  • Understand what GSAs do, why they're important, and how they work.
  • Gain knowledge and skills in starting, running, and sustaining a GSA.
  • Gain an understanding of how systems of oppression affect youth at every socio-ecological level both inside and outside of school.
Topic(s): 
Conscious and unconscious bias about race, ethnicity, and culture disclosure
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment
LGBQ+ identities
Transgender and gender expansive identities
Values
State(s): 
Michigan
Age Group(s): 
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-10
Grades 11-12
Format: 
In person
Online
3hrs
$350
Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
Indicators
Values Indicators: 
Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
Conscious and unconscious bias about race, ethnicity, and culture Indicators: 
Indicator 1 (K-12): Define conscious and unconscious bias and explain how they could influence one’s teaching of sex education.
Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain how an educator’s personal beliefs about racial and reproductive justice could influence their teaching of sex education.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies to reduce the impact of conscious and unconscious bias and enhance cross-cultural interactions in the classroom when teaching sex education.
Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBQ-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive, enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all sexual orientations.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Define sexual orientation and sexual identity, including that everyone has both.
Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the difference between sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (S)
Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all gender identities.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Define gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Explain how gender identity and gender expression are distinct from each other and from sexual orientation.
Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that transgender and gender expansive youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to transgender and gender expansive people.
Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of transgender and gender expansive people in lessons.
Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to make lessons affirming for transgender and gender expansive people. (S)