More LGBTQ-inclusive sex ed reduces odds of bullying, depression, suicidal thoughts, and victimization (J Adolesc Health)

Title: Associations of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education with mental health outcomes and school-based victimization in U.S. high school students

Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health

Public access URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6478545/pdf/nihms-1516132.pdf

Summary: Students with a greater proportion of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education have lower odds of experiencing school-based victimization and adverse mental health [such as depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, or making a plan to commit suicide

Adapting Language for Diverse (A)Genders, Bodies, and (A)Sexualities

Visit Adapting Language for Diverse (A)Genders, Bodies, and (A)Sexualities for:

1. clear infographics (see above for examples),

2. a checklist with advice for challenging situations such as:

3. and a statements-editing activity from a workshop by SextEd (a free and confidential texting helpline that answers questions about sex, dating, and health within 24 hours) and ACCM (AIDS Community Care Montreal).

“We also know it can be challenging to use inclusive language when students, peers, or service users don’t, or they’re not familiar with the practice. In these cases, you can still take the time to gently explain why you speak or write the way that you do: to respect the diversity in people’s sexualities, genders, and bodies. If someone asks why you phrased something a certain way, you can take the time to explain why.

In situations where a person is asking a question or speaking in a way that isn’t inclusive, you can....

— Use phrases like “Yes, men, or anyone with a penis, can get an erection at random.”

— Gently remind them of identities they didn’t include in their statement or question, “Yeah, for sure. But I also
think it’s important to keep in mind that some men don’t have penises, and some women do, to make sure we’re
being inclusive.””

— SextEd & ACCM

Challenge norms & build interruption skills

Headline: Male Adolescents’ Gender Attitudes and Violence: Implications for Youth Violence Prevention

[What they measured:] This study analyzed the associations among male adolescents’ gender attitudes, intentions to intervene, witnessing peers’ abusive behaviors, and multiple forms of adolescent violence perpetration.

[Who they studied:] Data were from a cross-sectional survey conducted at baseline with 866 male adolescents in community settings (i.e., youth-serving organizations, churches, after school programs, and libraries) across 20 lower-resource neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA from August 2015 to June 2017, as part of a cluster RCT.28 Eligible youth were aged 13—19 years, identified as male, and recruited to participate in a gender-specific violence prevention program.

[Goals] This community-based evaluation aims to inform future youth violence prevention efforts through the identification of potential predictors of interpersonal violence perpetration.

[Conclusions] Findings support violence prevention strategies that challenge harmful gender and social norms while simultaneously increasing youths’ skills in interrupting peers’ disrespectful and harmful behaviors.

Citation

Miller E, Culyba AJ, Paglisotti T, Massof M, Gao Q, Ports KA, Kato-Wallace J, Pulerwitz J, Espelage DL, Abebe KZ, Jones KA. Male Adolescents' Gender Attitudes and Violence: Implications for Youth Violence Prevention. Am J Prev Med. 2020 Mar;58(3):396-406. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.009. Epub 2019 Dec 27. PMID: 31889621; PMCID: PMC7039734.

Remember Thomas the blind bisexual goose

Thomas was a New Zealand goose who rose to prominence for his notable relationships and behaviors. He formed close, lasting bonds with both male and female swans and was involved in a "love triangle". Thomas became blind later in life. He reared many children, both his biological children and young orphaned geese and swans.

Below are two article commemorating Thomas’ life, published shortly after his death.

Queerspawn Resource Project

The Queerspawn Resource Project develops and compiles resources that reflect the complex, authentic, and intersectional experiences of people with one or more LGBTQ+ parents/guardians and advancing advocacy work that furthers inclusion of queerspawn and their perspectives. Resources include children’s and adult book lists, allyship guidance, a language guide, and media collections.

Queer Animals Are Everywhere. Science Is Finally Catching On.

This article by animal studies graduate student Eliot Schrefer for The Washington Post highlights a recent surge in scholarship on same-sex animal behavior which challenges longstanding misconceptions about the connection between animal sexuality and evolution.