LGBTQ
Information
Fully understanding how to effectively mentor youth includes
learning as much as possible about them. Educators, parents, and
community members alike can find information on LGBTQ youth and how
they work to assimilate into a heterocentric culture.
Firstly, it is essential to understand various sexual orientations. The
following terms are extracted from dictionary.com and
provide concrete definitions of important terminology. It is also
important to note that the term 'gay' is often used interchangeably to
describe both male and female homosexuality.
homosexual
- (adj.) of, relating
to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex
gay
- (adj.) a man whose sexual orientation is toward men
lesbian -
(adj.) a
woman whose sexual orientation is toward women
bi-sexual -
(adj.)
(1) relating to or having a sexual orientation to persons of either
sex, (2) having an ambiguous sexual identity
transgendered
-
(adj.) appearing as, wishing to be considered as, or having undergone
surgery to become a member of the opposite sex
questioning
- (adj.)
a person exploring individual sexual identity (for more information on
this term, seek further information from the APA site offered below)
LGBTQ - the
abbreviation for "lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, and
questioning" people
For More
Information:
Contacting the American
Psychological Association is an excellent starting point
when further understanding LGBTQ youth. Aside from offering numerous
scholarly
articles on sexual orientation, the APA gives school health
professional assistance, school climate information, and training
workshops.
American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate
750 First Street NE
Washington DC, 20002-4242
202.336.6050
Additionally, Lambda Legal,
a national
organization committed to achieving full recognition of LGBTQ persons
through impact litigation, education and public policy work, issued a
recent public service announcment (PSA) titled Out, Safe, and Respected. This PSA
outlines student rights and a school's responsibilities.
Lambda Legal
120 Wall Street
Suite 1500
New York, NY 10005-3905
212.809.8585
Other valuable information, particularly for teens who are coming to
terms with their sexuality, may be found by contacting the following
sources:
National Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Youth
Hotline
1-800-347-TEEN
(CST 5:30-9:30pm Sun. - Mon. & CST 7:00-12:00am Thur. - Sat.)
Michigan Alliance for Lesbian and Gay
Youth Services (MALGYS)
617 N. Jenison
Lansing, MI 48915
517-484-0946
American Education Gender Information
Services
P.O. Box 33724
Decatur, GA 30033-0724
404-939-2122