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Welcome to the online homepage of the

Rainbow Families® School Initiative

Our School Initiative works to create school environments in Minnesota that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive of children with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents.

We support educators, both teachers and administrators, in individual schools as well as school districts, as they work to ensure safety and build welcoming settings for children from LGBT families. Rainbow Families ® has a strong commitment to seeing this begin as early as possible in schools, as children from LGBT families often face bullying and discrimination starting in Pre-K.

We work with LGBT parents as they navigate the school experience with their child, to help build the bridges that make schools safe, welcoming, and inclusive for their children.

Click on any link below to learn more about how the Rainbow Families ® School Initiative can work with you and your school or district.

“Children of LGBT parents typically deal with homophobia on a daily basis in their schools, often at an earlier age than their LGBT peers .”

– Abigail Garner, author
Families Like Mine: Children of
Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is

Why a School Initiative?
For Educators
For LGBT Parents
Resources & Links
Questions? Contact Us
Brochure for Educators (PDF) - Coming Soon

Why a School Initiative?

To prevent prejudice, education about respecting differences needs to begin early.
Our schools are microcosms of the larger communities they serve. All too often, they reflect ignorance about, and fear of, LGBT families. While addressing LGBT issues in school is sometimes controversial, maintaining silence on this topic only reinforces homophobia.

Many elementary schools have at least one student with one or more LGBT parents.
And every school has students who will eventually identify themselves as LGBT. Many students know someone close to them who is LGBT. Nearly all children are exposed to gay and lesbian topics from a very young age through the media, their peers, their neighborhoods, and their families. Students themselves often bring this topic into schools.

Negative language about gay and lesbian people is commonplace in schools, beginning as early as kindergarten.
Children with one or more LGBT parents are often peppered by questions from their peers. They are challenged about their family structure in the middle of class. They are often teased or harassed, usually through hurtful comments based on misconceptions and stereotypes. When teachers hear students say, “That’s so gay” or “you can’t have two moms,” they are responsible for creating a safe environment by countering bias and providing factual information.

Creating inclusive schools helps children learn.
Children with LGBT parents feel invisible in their schools when they do not see their family reflected in the classroom or don’t feel able to speak openly about their family. All children deserve to see their family reflected and valued at school.

Safety in school is a paramount concern.
Students need to feel safe to be able to learn effectively. If students constantly have to be vigilant, fearful of being teased, censor what they say about their family, and look for cues as to who is “safe,” it is harder for them to pay attention and fully participate in their education.

“When other kids use the word ‘gay’ as an insult, it feels like they’re hurting my family.”

Prepared educators are ready to handle difficult questions.
Teachers and administrators face mandates to address social and cultural differences in their policies and classroom practices —how to address them can be far from clear. Validating children with one or more LGBT parent can create a challenge for teachers. They can face struggles in balancing the diverse needs and beliefs of all families in their school community, as well as their own personal beliefs with their responsibilities as educators. Our training respects differences, and can give teachers the tools they need in the classroom.

For Educators

The Rainbow Families ® School Initiative will work with you to meet the unique needs of your school or district. Whether you need assistance in the wording on forms, training for teachers, speakers, or access to other resources, we are ready to help.

Custom Workshops
Our interactive workshops can help both teachers and staff members understand the unique needs of children with LGBT parents, and learn how to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment. The training is tailored to each school or district’s needs. Contact us to discuss topics, such as:

  • Who are LGBT families?
  • The school experiences of children with LGBT parents
  • Creating school environments that are inclusive of children with LGBT families
  • Age-appropriate responses to students’ questions about LGBT families
  • How to address anti-gay language
  • LGBT family-inclusive resources, such as books, videos, and curriculum

Consultation
We offer consultation to schools and districts in updating or developing policies, forms, and curriculum that are inclusive of LGBT families. We can provide examples of inclusive policies and curricula being utilized by other local schools Contact us for more information.

Speakers
Our Speakers’ Bureau members are available to speak with students, staff, or parents about the experiences of their LGBT family. Contact us for more information.

Education in Action: Educators at Conference
The Educator Track at the Rainbow Families® Annual Conference (link to pages) , usually held in April, offers an amazing opportunity for educators to deepen their understanding of LGBT issues and to gain the tools and resources needed to create safe and inclusive schools. CEU’s are available for attending the conference . Contact us for more information.

What Educators are Saying About the Rainbow Families® School Initiative Services

“I liked how the presenter made us feel that it was alright if we didn’t know a whole lot about LGBT families.”

“The presentation was fantastic! I learned a lot of great and useful information that I can put to use in my classroom.”

“The stories and anecdotes the speaker shared helped me understand the real issues that children with LGBT parents face.”

“I realized that schools really need to make more of an effort to become inclusive of LGBT families.”

“Now I understand the importance of addressing LGBT issues in my classroom instead of promoting homophobia through my silence.”

“I enjoyed the interactive style and felt very comfortable asking questions. Thanks much for your masterful facilitation today.”

For LGBT Parents

All parents want their children to have a positive school experience. LGBT parents usually have particular concerns about their child’s school: Will our family be accepted? Will my child feel safe and not be teased about our family? Will my child feel included, not invisible?

Some LGBT families are in schools which have several other LGBT families and where much progress has been made towards being safe and inclusive. Other families find themselves paving the way as the first LGBT family a school has ever known. Regardless of the school climate, the School Initiative can help parents advocate for safe, inclusive school environments for LGBT families. Contact us for more information.

Parents have a strong voice in their school communities.
The School Initiative supports LGBT parents in making their voices heard by providing the tools needed for advocacy. Here are some examples of how we can support parents:

  • Educational forums, such as Entering Kindergarten as an LGBT Family.
  • School district organizing–connect with other LGBT families in your district to strategize ways to create change.
  • Information and resources–clearinghouse of school-related information for LGBT families. We can link parents to useful resources to help them advocate; provide examples of inclusive policies, and forms; examples of curriculum and programs being utilized by some schools.
  • Disseminate school-related information through the Rainbow Families ® eNews.
  • Knowledge about specific Minnesota schools/districts. We are in the process of gathering information about the level of inclusiveness of districts and schools in Minnesota , and you will have the opportunity to participate in this in the next few months.

Building Connections
We help LGBT parents connect and organize to create change in their schools or districts. We can assist parents in navigating their school systems, and provide information that will help parents advocate for their families, including available resources and inclusive policies or curriculum. Contact us for more information.  

School Issues for Families
The School Issues for Families track at the Rainbow Families ® Annual Conference, usually held in April, offers a set of workshops for parents specifically related to school issues. Workshops in the past have addressed topics such as choosing a school, creating school change, and navigating the college financial aid process. Contact us for more information.

 What Parents are Saying About the Rainbow Families ® School Initiative Services

“A program such as this, that is helping to ensure that schools throughout Minnesota are providing a safe and inclusive environment, will help many children and families stop living in the shadows of discrimination and fear. No child should have to endure that kind of life, not in this state, country, or world.”

“The Rainbow Families ® School Initiative has been invaluable this past year as we struggled with covert and overt homophobia at my daughter's grade school. They provided vital information, much needed support, and useful connections to others.”

“Their efforts mitigated the isolation we felt as we began the slow, difficult work of exposing homophobia and building a case for eliminating it. With their help, I feel confident that we will create an atmosphere at this grade school in which homophobia will take its place alongside racism and bullying as unacceptable behaviors.”

“Without an organization like Rainbow Families and their school program we would not have known where or who to turn to for support. They have provided support in approaching the schools and school board in discussions on how to make the schools and school system a safe and inclusive environment for our children.”

Resources & Links

Print Resources you can download:

Book lists:

Other LGBT Resources for Educators and Parents

Organizations/websites:

Twin Cities Resources:

  • aMaze
    Minneapolis-based creators of the Families All Matter Book Project, which allows children to explore diversity issues through reading.
  • District 202
    A nonprofit youth community center committed to providing social, cultural and educational opportunities by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, and their allied friends.
  • GLBT-KIDS: Abuse Intervention Program, Family & Children’s Service
    Offers support, referrals, resources and connections for GLBTQ youth who are experiencing abuse or mistreatment and their families, professionals and others who care about them. Good resource for trainings on GLBT topics.
  • Minnesota School OUTreach Coalition
    A network of Minnesota students, educators, families, community members, and organizations working within the broad context of schools to address the issues of LGBTQ people. The goal is to ensure that Minnesota has healthy learning environments that are inclusive, supportive, and safe, and where sexual orientations and gender identities & expressions are respected.
  • Out for Equity
    Out for Equity is a Saint Paul Public Schools program that works to create safe and affirming school environments for GLBT students, staff, and families.
  • Out 4 Good
    Out 4 Good is a Minneapolis Public Schools program that works to create safe and supportive schools for LGBT students, families, teachers, and staff.
  • OutFront Minnesota
    Delivers programs and services to the GLBT and allied communities in the areas of public policy, advocacy, education and training, anti-violence, schools, and the law.
  • Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, St. Paul/Minneapolis chapter
    Promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education, and advocacy.

National Resources:

  • COLAGE (Children of Lesbian and Gays Everywhere)
    Works to engage, connect, and empower people to make the world a better place for children of LGBT parents and families. Book lists and posters could be useful to teachers.
  • Families Like Mine
    A website created by Minneapolis native Abigail Garner, author of Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is.
  • Family Diversity Projects
    A nonprofit that has created 5 touring photo-text exhibits (including LOVE MAKES A FAMILY: Portraits of LGBT People and their Families) and books, designed to help reduce prejudice, stereotyping, and harassment of all people who are perceived to be "different" from the "norm."
  • Family Pride
    Family Pride is the national non-profit organization committed to securing family equality for LGBT parents, guardians and allies. Website includes tools for making schools inclusive.
  • Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
    The leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students. Tools for GSAs, Safe Space Kit, ideas for Days of Action, book lists, National School Climate Survey.
  • GSA Network
    Provides resources for Gay-Straight Alliances.
  • Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
    The largest civil rights organization working to achieve GLBT equality. The Youth/Schools section provides school resources.
  • National Education Association (NEA)
    Information and articles related to GLBT issues. NEA regional trainers are available to conduct a series of three GLBT workshops.
  • Respect For All Project
    As a program of GroundSpark, the Respect For All Project encompasses a series of documentary films, printed curriculum guides and professional diversity training aimed at creating safe schools and communities by giving youth, their educators and service providers the tools they need to address and understand diversity of all kinds.
  • Safe Schools Coalition
    Organization that helps schools become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Resources include lesson plans, posters and stickers, book and video lists.

Publications:

Films:

  • Respect for All Project - A comprehensive set of resources for educators and youth-service providers, including award-winning documentary films and high-quality curriculum guides, to engage in age-appropriate discussions about human difference, preventing prejudice, and building caring communities. By GroundSpark, these titles are strongly recommended:
  • It’s Elementary–Talking About Gay Issues in School (1996)
    The inspiring, award-winning film that explores how teachers can include discussions about gay people in their classrooms with elementary and middle school students.
  • That’s a Family (2000)
    A documentary that helps children understand the different types of families that exist today. The children in the video speak candidly about what it's like to grow up in a family with parents of different races or religions, divorced parents, a single parent, gay or lesbian parents, adoptive parents or grandparents as guardians.
  • Let’s Get Real (2003)
    Young people tell their stories about bullying in their own words. The video examines a variety of issues that lead to taunting and bullying, including racial differences, perceived sexual orientation, learning disabilities, religious differences, sexual harassment and others.
  • Straightlaced (in production)
    Features intimate interviews with teenagers about the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and the toll it takes on them to live up to gender role expectations.
  • In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents (1995)
    COLAGE, Jen Gilomen, Director - A youth-produced documentary by and about children of LGBT parents. Five young people give you a chance to walk in their shoes to hear their own views on marriage, making change, and what it means to be a family.
  • Both of My Moms’ Names are Judy: Children of Lesbians and Gays Speak Out - The Lesbian and Gay Parent Association, 1995
    A 10-minues video in which a diverse group of children ages 7-11 talk about who’s in their families, how it feels to be teased about their parents, how classroom silence about homosexuality affects them, and what they would like to see change.
  • Oliver Button is a Star
    John Scagliotti and Dan Hunt, Directors, PBS Video (2001) featuring the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Based on Tomie dePaola's classic children's book Oliver Button is a Sissy, this video uses a mix of animation, news stories, footage of a teacher’s class, the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, and interviews with four real-life Oliver Buttons to examine tolerance, bullying, and society's often rigid notions of gender roles.

School-wide Initiatives:

  • No Name-Calling Week
    No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of education activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities. The website offers free downloadable ideas for NNCW activities and lesson plans. Geared towards middle school, though could be modified to use in other grade levels.

  • Day of Silence
    The Day of Silence is an annual event held to commemorate and protest anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Participating students and teachers observe the day in silence to echo the silence that LGBT students face everyday.

  • Ally Week
    A week of identifying and acknowledging allies of LGBT people and educating allies in how they can intervene in anti-LGBT bias. Ally Week can be simple, passing out stickers to allies, or more advanced with an event or series of events planned throughout the week.

Questions? Contact Us

For more information, or to schedule training, e-mail us or call 612-823-5145.

 

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Rainbow FamiliesTM, 711 West Lake Street, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-827-7731, connect@rainbowfamilies.org