A Lesson Plan from Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth: A Toolkit

Leader's Resource for How to Be a Super Activist and/or Ally Lesson Plan

Here are just a few of the many ways that young people can fight homophobia and transphobia. If participants have a hard time coming up with actions they can take, suggest some of these.

1. Be a friend to GLBTQ youth or to other GLBTQ youth.
2. When you hear homophobic or transphobic comments, calmly assert your belief in everyone's right to be treated with dignity and respect.
3. Join the gay/straight alliance in your school.
4. Start a gay/straight alliance, if one doesn't already exist in your school.
5. Ask to speak with adults in charge (of the school, agency, community of faith, etc.) about the importance of a 'zero tolerance' policy for homophobic and transphobic comments and actions.
6. Write a letter to the editor of your hometown and/or school newspaper.
7. Ask for a panel discussion on GLBTQ issues. Ask that GLBTQ youth participate on the panel.
8. Ask for a relaxed dress code that honors each person's individuality and unique gender expression.
9. Ask that all teens be able to bring a date of their own choosing (same-sex or opposite sex) to the prom, dances, parties, etc.
10. Create and distribute a list of community resources for GLBTQ youth.