By Juliet E. Hart
Principal, November/December 2013

Same-sex parents head a sizeable number of households in the U.S., and their children are a significant, yet often overlooked, population in our schools. In his article in the November/December 2009 issue of Principal, “Including Non-traditional Families,” Mark French noted that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen­der (LGBT) parents are raising an estimated 8 to 10 million children. Due to the stigmatized nature of these unique family structures, children with LGBT parents may experience challenges at school, such as teasing or bullying.

Today, education researchers are beginning to investigate the school experiences of LGBT parents and their children to determine which factors can help this population cope with their specific set of issues. Practical tips can be gleaned from this research to help elementary and middle-level principals ensure that stu­dents and their LGBT parents feel safe and supported in school.

Reflect Inclusivity in Forms and Policies
A good starting point for school leaders seeking to create an inclusive environ­ment for same-sex families is to consider the language used on records and forms that are sent home or require parental input. Materials such as handbooks, enrollment forms, and emergency contact forms should request the names of parents (e.g., “parent 1,” “parent 2”) instead of “father” and “mother.” Forms should also leave space for more than two parents, in cases of divorce or re-partnering. Moreover, at events such as an open house, principals should model appropriate language to acknowledge the variety of family structures repre­sented in schools (e.g., two fathers, two mothers, gay parents). Though simple, this expansion of terminology sends the message that your school cares about and respects all families.

With Staff, Create a Climate of Respect
Next, it is critical for educators to work to create a safe school climate for all children. This requires school princi­pals to educate their staffs on the effects of homophobic language, teasing, and bullying, and the need for zero-tolerance for anti-LGBT harassment. Make sure your staff knows that anti- LGBT behaviors should be addressed in the same way as other types of name-calling and bullying. Ensure, too, that sexual orientation is clearly included in your school’s non-discrimination policy. Principals can carve out a portion of professional development time prior to the start of the school year to establish this climate of mutual respect.

Further, teachers and school staff should receive professional develop­ment on LGBT-supportive classroom lessons. LGBT issues often appear in lessons on tolerance, diversity, or anti-bullying. Though this teaches students the importance of tolerance, such lessons are only the first steps. Actual acceptance of diversity means appre­ciating different groups’ significant historical and cultural contributions to society. Principals can encourage teachers to consider incorporating inclusive curricular materials in their instruction.

Further, principals can invite par­ents, teachers, administrators, and other key stakeholders to identify and contribute to the development of age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive les­sons that teachers can use with their students. The Gay-Straight Alliance Network (gsanetwork.org) offers additional strategies on how to train teachers and staff to be successful in conducting productive discussions with their students on these issues.

Discuss Anti-harassment Policies With Students
School principals should talk with all classes about anti-gay terms and harassment within the framework of unacceptable behaviors. These formal discussions on anti-bullying and school safety for LGBT and all students could be incorporated as part of a school assembly, or held during physical educa­tion, health, or history classes. They should also be embedded in homeroom instruction throughout the year.

Create Networks of Supportive Allies
Finally, students with same-sex parents will feel safer disclosing information about their family structure to others when there are supportive allies at your school. In “Children with same-sex parents: In and out of the closet,” an article I wrote with several colleagues, we emphasize the importance of allies. Allies, including school counselors, teachers, friends, and principals, sup­port and advocate for LGBT students and students with LGBT parents.

Provide students with a support network by sponsoring a gay-straight alliance at your school. October is LGBT History Month, which presents a unique opportunity for your GSA to educate your entire school community on LGBT issues. Encourage members to put up posters about key LGBT historical figures at your school site, screen historical documentaries, or plan a schoolwide assembly with speak­ers discussing important LGBT voices.

Overall, the role of schools in assist­ing children of same-sex households and their families continues to be a critically important objective. It can be overlooked by principals, class­room teachers, and other school personnel. Implementing these sug­gestions can provide a welcoming environment and ongoing support for children of LGB families, thereby leading to more positive home-school connections for all.

Juliet E. Hart is an associate professor of special education at Arizona State University.

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