How to be an Ally for Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual Transgender,
Bisexual,
Transgender Questioning,
Questioning
2-Spirited Youth
Collaboration
Objectives
• Describe the experiences of sexual minority
youth in public schools
• Identify the disproportionate rates of
transmission of HIV among young men who
h
have
sex with
ith men
• Explain the higher rates of suicide, suicide
attempts, and self-destructive behaviors
among GLBTQ youth
• Model how to be an ally in the school setting
School Violence Prevention SB 526 (passed 2009)
SB 526 (passed 2009)
Bullying or harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, acts
reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived
differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry,
national origin,
origin gender,
gender socioeconomic status,
status academic status,
status gender
identity, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or mental, physical,
developmental, or sensory disability, or by association with a person who
has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.
(a) No student or school employee shall be subjected to bullying or
harassing behavior by school employees or students.
(b) No person shall engage in any act of reprisal or retaliation against a
victim witness
victim,
witness, or a person with reliable information about an act of
bullying or harassing behavior.
(c) A school employee who has witnessed or has reliable information that a
student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or
harassing behavior shall report the incident to the appropriate school
official.
(d) A student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that
a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or
g behavior should report
p
the incident to the appropriate
pp p
school
harassing
official.
HIV 101
Overview of the
HIV/AIDS Epidemic
E id i in
i
North Carolina
Communicable Disease Surveillance Unit
N.C. Department of Health and Human
Services
Age Distribution of HIV Disease in N.C., 2006
Age Distribution of HIV Disease in N.C., 2010
HIV/AIDS and YMSM
/
• 54% of new cases of HIV in 13‐24 yr. olds were among MSM
olds were among MSM.
• More than twice as many black YMSMs were diagnosed with HIV than white YMSMs.
• Of all age groups of MSM HIV/AIDS increased most among YMSM 13‐24.
increased most among YMSM 13
24.
YMSM of Color
YMSM of Color
• 70%
70% of HIV/AIDS diagnosis among of HIV/AIDS diagnosis among
youth 13‐24 were among black youth, yet they only represented 17% of the
yet they only represented 17% of the age group population.
• Among YMSM black MSM had the most dramatic increase in diagnoses‐‐‐
d
i i
i di
from 938 in 2001 to 1,811 in 2006 an i
increase of 93%.
f 93%
Possible reason for disparities
p
• Alarming number of YMSM do not know they are infected.
are infected.
• Failure to reach MSM with prevention education interventions
education interventions.
• Unintended consequences of successful t t
treatment.
t
• Use of alcohol and drugs
• Mental health consequences of stigma and discrimination.
Youth Suicide Prevention
Youth Suicide
Diving Deeper
Terminology Activity
Terminology Activity
Terminology
Terminology is important but sometimes it is not what you say but ti
it i
t h t
b t
how you say it that is most important.
But you must say something
But you must say something
Generation Z
Generation Z Homophobia
p
Before any adult can help any adolescent they must y
y
first acknowledge and conquer their own homophobia.
homophobia
Remember: It is a journey
j
y
What is Privilege?
What is Privilege?
We live in a society that assumes heterosexuality and with that
heterosexuality and with that assumption comes privilege.
There is No Hierarchy in Oppression!
There is No Hierarchy in Oppression!
What is an Ally?
An individual who assumes the role of advocate or supporter of persons identifying as LGBTQ people.
Qualities of an Ally
Qualities of an Ally
• Takes
Takes a stand against social injustice
a stand against social injustice
• Works to develop an understanding of homosexuality and the needs of LGBTQ
homosexuality and the needs of LGBTQ people
• Is committed to the personal growth Is committed to the personal growth
required to be understanding and supportive of LGBTQ people.
• Attempt to gain support from others and develop new allies.
Qualities of an Ally, cont.
Qualities of an Ally, cont.
• Takes
Takes pride in and appreciates the pride in and appreciates the
success achieved in combating homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism.
• Understands how patterns of oppression operate and is willing to identify oppressive actions and b h i
behaviors within himself/herself and i hi hi
lf/h
lf d
within others.
• Tries to have a good sense of humor.
Ti
h
d
fh
A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life
Questions?
Sherry Lehman, M.Ed., LPC
Youth Suicide Prevention School
Consultant
Sherry.lehman@dhhs.nc.gov
919-707-5349
Ellen Essick
Essick, Ph.D.
Ph D
HIV Consultant/ CDC Grant
Manager
Ellen.essick@dpi.nc.gov
919-807-3859