“Supporting Black LGBTQ Students in our Schools”

Can We Talk for REAL

SCHOOL HAS NOW OFFICIALLY OPENED FOR MILLIONS OF CHILDREN. Nearly nine out of 10 LGBT students (86.2 percent) experience harassment at school because of their sexual orientation, and 60.8 percent feel unsafe, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) 2007 National School Climate Survey. The 2015 National School Climate Survey will come out in fall of 2016 as noted on the GLSEN website. These numbers are alarming but what is on the horizon is more alarming in a good way. California and Georgia have open schools that are geared toward the LGBTQ student offering LGBTQ students a safe, supportive environment -- one they can choose or decline -- can save lives and be an important ingredient in an overall recipe for positive change for all youth, including and especially LGBTQ youth and their allies.” More importantly is that in October 2016, the LGBTQ Community Initiative at Teach for America will celebrate two years. The Initiative will be a part of the Summit where it is open to LGBTQ and allied corps members, alumni, staff, partners, and students. They are sponsored by Teach for America’s LGBTQ Community Initiative and participating regions. LGBTQ Summits will drive the work of engaging teachers and leaders in partnership with regional and national organizations that focus on supporting LGBTQ students and educators. Joining Can We Talk for REAL will be Tim’m West, Senior Managing Director, LGBTQ Community Initiative, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships of Teach America. Tim’m will lead the conversation about LGBTQ students in schools and what they go through once they enter the buildings every day.