The Philadelphia School District earlier this month began sending out a publication to representatives throughout its schools to assist them in providing proper direction to LGBT students.
The Community Services Directory for LGBT Youth is in the initial phase of distribution, being first sent via e-mail to school counselors at the district’s high schools and elementary schools to raise awareness about the issues LGBT students face and ensure those who work with this population can adequately offer assistance and guidance to all students in need.
The nearly 90-page book will also be sent to all school district principals, as well as other representatives such as school nurses. Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, said the district is currently working on printing of hard copies of the guide.
The idea for the publication germinated in the school district’s LGBT advisory committee, comprised of representatives from organizations such as Mazzoni Center, The Attic Youth Center, The COLOURS Organization Inc., the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative, Youth Health Empowerment Project, Concern for Health Options: Information, Care and Education, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, school district officials and Casarez.
Casarez said the committee members met repeatedly over the summer to determine the content of the booklet and employ research to complete the guide.
The directory is divided into information on school policies, LGBT community organizations and programs and a glossary lists LGBT-related language for those unfamiliar with the community.
“It’s written for adults who work with young people so that when they encounter LGBT students, they can point them in the right direction for the appropriate resources and support,” Casarez said. “This was a first-of-its-kind effort for the school district and, as far as we know, we’re the only district around that’s done this. All of this information existed before, but it’s never been compiled into the same document. It’s very comprehensive and is going to be a big, big help.”
In terms of policies, the guide outlines rules such as Policy 102, the district’s multicultural educational program, which is inclusive of LGBT issues, and Policy 220, its student-expression regulations. It also offers information about the district’s anti-bullying efforts and nondiscrimination policies, directions on how school representatives should handle student harassment and a sample grievance form for students who have been victims of harassment or discrimination.
The book offers a list of resources within the local and national LGBT communities, such as legal services, housing agencies, job-readiness programs, faith-based organizations, outlets for transgender individuals and health groups.
The guide also provides information on multimedia LGBT resources, such as newspapers, magazines, Web sites, books and movies.
Casarez said she and other committee members are eager for the printed copies to be released so that LGBT students who seek assistance from their principals, counselors or other school officials can see for themselves that their school representatives are well-informed about the challenges they and other LGBT students are experiencing.
“Visually, young people need to see these guides out in the offices of their counselors or others in the school,” Casarez said. “It will make them feel a lot more comfortable and prompt them to disclose.”
Casarez said the committee is looking to reprint the guide for the next school year, and to solicit input and participation from LGBT students for the content and design.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].