Tips to carry out class lessons against homophobia

Text to combat homophobia in Catholic schools taken from "Made in God's image"* Published by the Catholic Education Service of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales (Great Britain) in May 2017, chapter 5, p.12, freely translated by Giacomo Tessaro

To carry out lessons on homophobia and LGBT issues, teachers must know the topic well and be ready to deal with provocative behavior. It is important to remember that it is precisely because of these provocative behaviors that it is more than ever necessary to deal with LGBT themes and homophobia. To be prepared, personal searches must be carried out on the subject and have the contents of the lessons clearly clear.

Face provocative behavior

Provocative behaviors are a challenge to those who deal with these issues. We recommend starting with a lesson on the basic rules of the discussion, in order to provide a grid to conduct a safe and respectful debate. If possible, write and hang the basic rules in a place in sight, so that each student can always refer you.

It is important to remember that homophobic behaviors usually are put in place by a small minority of young people. Most of the young people accept anti -discrimination messages and it is important to reiterate to all students who can resume the comments and behaviors of their peers, if they feel they do. The various opinions and points of view on the subject can be examined during the discussion.

Some students can refuse to listen or communicate during the lessons, for various reasons: hostility, lack of interest, nervousness, discomfort. It is important to treat the student or the student in a reassuring and sensitive way, without presuming to know the reasons for his lack of participation. Beyond the reasons, listening to positive messages on the fight against homophobia and on LGBT issues is very beneficial for students. Although the examination of homophobic speeches and behaviors is the most appropriate way to stimulate students, it is also important to know how to trace boundaries. Some students are already considered LGBT, others are asking questions, still others have family members or LGBT friends and it is unacceptable for them to suffer insults and bullying that cannot be discussed in a constructive way.

Provide examples

Examples must be provided, so that students can discuss these issues without referring only to themselves, to their experiences or to those of the other students or staff of the Institute. It will also be useful to bring examples of famous LGBT characters or taken from TV.

I work in small groups

It is important, when students work in small groups, supervise to avoid homophobic comments directed to the members of a group or out of place conversations that concern other young people.

Honesty and sincerity

As with any other topic, it is essential that there is a good knowledge of the topics covered; However, talking about homophobia and LGBT issues can be a new thing for you and it is not necessary to have the answer to everything: it is sufficient to say that you will look for the answers and that you will then bring them back to your students. To say with honesty and sincerity that your knowledge has gaps will probably encourage your students to take on the same attitude.

"They and us"

It is important to remember that there are probable LGBT students and students in your class, it is therefore good to avoid referring to LGBT people such as "They" and to heterosexual and cisgender people like "us", so as not to alienate the students and students LGBT and do not make them feel different. Refer to "LGBT people" It is more inclusive and it is a recognition that there may be LGBT people or their family and friends within the class.

LGBT teachers

This class work can be demanding for LGBT teachers, but it is a job that deals with social justice, fight against bullying, discrimination, respect and equality, not the sexual orientation of individual teachers, individual students or other people. Teachers and students should not make their sexual orientation subject of discussion.

The proposed lessons

The series of lessons that we propose is aimed at students from 13 years upwards and should be grouped in the issue "Prejudice and discrimination". Each lesson takes about 50-60 minutes. The sequence of the lessons can be changed according to the teacher's needs, even if the first lesson should always be introductory and establish the basic rules for discussion in the classroom. In the second lesson the aid of DVD is suggested to reflect on certain television characters.

* For teachers of Catholic schools in England and Wales, in 2017, a new manual on how to fight homophobia and bifia, which offers practical advice on how to prevent and stop the homophobic bullying of students in Catholic schools. The document, entitled Made in God's Image: Challeuring Homophobic and Biiphobic Bullying in Catholic Schools(Made in the image of God: prevent homophobic and bifobic bullying in Catholic schools) è stato prodotto dal Servizio per l’Educazione Cattolica (Catholic Education Service) della Conferenza Episcopale Cattolica (Catholic Bishops Conference) dell’Inghilterra e del Galles con il supporto della St. Mary’s University di Twickenham.

Original text: Made in God’s Image. Challenging homophobic and biphobic bullying in Catholic Schools