This kit contains 15 of the most informative resources on the YouthLead website related to activism against discrimination directed toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals, as well as individuals with other diverse gender and sexual identities (LGBTQI+).
Here you will find tools separated by target audience: background materials for those seeking to understand the current status of LGBTQI+ issues, materials for amateur and experienced advocates and activists, and materials for policymakers who want to institute positive change in their schools, districts, cities, or legislatures. While most resources center on communities in the United States and Europe, many of these lessons can be applied across geographic areas.
BACKGROUND
Acronyms Explained – This primer from OutRight International introduces terms and acronyms used frequently to refer to the identities based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Global Barometers on Gay and Transgender Rights – The Franklin & Marshall Global Barometer of Gay Rights and Global Barometer of Transgender Rights are designed to measure state- and societal-level protection or persecution of gender and sexual minorities worldwide.
Global Acceptance Index – The Williams Institute Global Acceptance Index analyzes data from 174 countries to measure the relative level of social acceptance of LGBT people and rights in each country.
State-Sponsored Homophobia Report – This annual report by the International LGBTI Association (ILGA World) provides a survey of sexual orientation laws and is accompanied by a series of maps and charts illustrating where criminalization, protection, and recognition laws exist.
Human Rights Watch World Report 2021 - This annual report provides an overview of the state of human rights in each country, including LGBTIQ+ rights violations as well as progress and opportunities for improvement.
2018 LGBTQ Youth Report - The Human Rights Campaign’s most recent report on LGBTIQ+ youth outlines the results of a survey capturing the experiences of LGBTIQ+ youth in the United States in their family settings, schools, social circles, and communities.
RESOURCES FOR ADVOCATES AND ACTIVISTS
COVID-19 Resources for LGBTQI+ Youth – The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organization (IGLYO) created numerous self-care and other informational resources for young people navigating the stresses of living through COVID-19. IGLYO is a youth development and leadership organization building LGBTQI+ youth activists and making schools safe, inclusive, and supportive of LGBTQI+ learners.
Being an LGBTQ Ally - This resource from the Human Rights Campaign is a good jumping off point if you are new to LGBTQI+ advocacy. It is designed to help build an understanding of LGBTQI+ identities and issues, and how to best show support for different identities.
How to Support Bisexual, Pansexual, Fluid, and Queer Youth - This free guide by The Trevor Project covers best practices on how to support young people who are attracted to more than one gender, including how to prevent bisexual erasure and biphobia, challenge assumptions, and create community support,
A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth - This free guide by The Trevor Project covers best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary youth, including the basics of identity, expression, and perception, common mistakes made by allies, and what to do if you’ve made one.
RiseOut Bootcamp - This virtual bootcamp, facilitated by the LGBT Center of New York, offers an advocacy curriculum designed to grow participants’ skills as activists. The curriculum can be tailored by experience level, and covers the history of the LGBTQI+ movement, effective forms of advocacy, the role of government, community and voter organizing, media, and lobbying.
Six Steps to Effective LGBT Human Rights Advocacy - This comprehensive report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association provides a set of methods, tools, and skills that LGBTQI+ advocates can use in planning and implementing their advocacy work. These methods include lobbying, public education and awareness, and media.
PFLAG: Advocacy One Pagers - The Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides a wealth of resources for LGBTQI+ advocates to lobby in-person and at home, build coalitions, and advocate via traditional and social media.
Advocating for LGBTQ Equality in Your Workplace - This article from the Human Rights Campaign offers tips for employees to advocate for LGBTQI+ fairness in their workplace, including how to build support and deliver your proposal.
International LGBT Advocacy Organizations and Programs - This report by the Movement Advancement Project catalogs the major international advocacy organizations and programs that work to secure LGBTIQ+ rights. It also aims to highlight common needs, including resources to collaborate and plan, greater funding, better data, and fresh revenue streams.
RESOURCES FOR POLICYMAKERS
Born Free and Equal - This report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights sets out the core legal obligations of States toward LGBTQI+ individuals and describes how UN mechanisms apply international human rights law in these contexts, including advice to help States take the necessary steps to meet their obligations.
Advancing LGBTQ Equality Through Local Executive Action - This report by the Center for American Progress aims to provide local officials with a range of policy ideas that can be implemented at the county, city, and school district level. While the report is directed at U.S.-based local officials, many of these lessons can be applied outside the United States.
An Overview of Laws & Policies that Support Safe and Welcoming Schools - This report by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation provides an overview of U.S. laws and policies that administrators and educators can use to provide safe, welcoming, and respectful schools for LGBTQI+ students
Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools - This report by the American Civil Liberties Union aims to help parents, students, educators, administrators, and other stakeholders determine how to best support transgender students in kindergarten through high school. The guide includes best practices in areas such as pronouns, confidentiality, working with unsupportive parents, and navigating the legal landscape.
Model Laws and Policies - GLSEN is an education organization dedicated to advocating for comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQI+ students. This toolkit offers model policies and laws to protect students from harassment, bullying, and discrimination, including sample school policies and state legislation.
So Now What? Setting the Starter Kit in Motion
- Read through the available background material.
- If you are an advocate or activist, use Being an LGBTQ Ally and RiseOut Bootcamp as jumping off points.
- If you are a policymaker, use Advancing LGBTQ Equality Through Local Executive Action and Model Laws and Policies as jumping off points.
- If working with a team, convene a team meeting to collectively reflect on the materials and apply tools to your organization’s culture, policies, and work with diverse LGBTIQ+ communities.
- Evaluate your success using the SMART Goals: A How to Guide rubric, making adjustments accordingly. When determining what constitutes success, also measure the extent to which you are including the experiences and voices of diverse LGBTIQ+ communities.