What’s a nibling? A word you may need this holiday season.
The holidays are just around the corner and that means food, friends, and family fun. But things are a little complicated this year. Your young child is gender non-conforming and you’re wondering how to inform all the aunts, uncles, and grandmas and grandpas. They...
Book bans in Maine? Really?! Yes — and what you can do about it.
“Sorry this book is coming back late. It’s just — I never expected to read a book that was so close to my own life. Like. Never. With some weirdly similar and specific details! So I had to read it twice, then I made my dad, sister, and boyfriend read it.” The student...
A New Perspective on GenderQueer
By August Sender, Training Coordinator - OUT Maine The book Gender Queer, a memoir by Maia Kobabe, has been in the news consistently recently. If you haven’t been following along, the book is a graphic novel - a comic-style story of the author's experience learning...
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022
Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20th November is Trans Awareness Month, and November 20th is the 23rd annual Trans Day of Remembrance. Starting in 1999, and globally recognized starting in 2010, Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) names and honors the...
Back to School: Your Rights as an LGBTQ+ Student
For many LGBTQ+ youth, going back to school means wondering if they will be safe and able to learn without being bullied, harassed, or assaulted. Maine State Law (Title 20-A if you are interested) states that “All students have the right to attend public schools that...
Mother’s Day Considerations for LGBTQ+ Youth
Mother’s Day is one day where we get to uplift and thank moms for all that they do every day that too often goes unrecognized. Many LGBTQ+ youth find maternal role models outside of their biological family. We want to give a special hearty shout out to all the...
April Showers Bring Gay Flowers
Materials: tissue paper or real flowers (wild or store bought), pipe cleaners/strips of paper or anything creative to make the base of a crown. See the video below for help! The goal of this activity is to have fun creating and designing. Put together colors, flowers...
Trans Day of Visibility
Since 1998, people around the world have honored Transgender Day of Remembrance - a day of mourning in November for the hundreds of transgender individuals who have died in the past year. In 2009, Rachel Crandall-Crocker of Michigan founded the International Trans Day...
Music/Art
We had no idea how to pick from the countless LGBTQ+ musicians and artists! Here are some of the most popular ones from different generations. Frida Khalo Mexican, Bisexual, Painter. Gladys Bently Harlem Rennaissance, Blues Singer, Performer, Gender-Bending,...
World Languages
Language reflects culture. What are some customs and laws surrounding LGBTQ+ identities in places that speak the language you teach? What is it like to be LGBTQ? What are possible gender-neutral pronouns? Explore LGBTQ+ laws and customs What is it like to be LGBTQ+...
English/Language Arts
The list of LGBTQ+ authors and poets is endless. Here are some of our favorites, and ways of incorporating LGBTQ+ topics in writing prompts. Many popular young adult fiction are highlighting LGBTQ+ characters, so we also suggest asking students what they are reading...
Math & Computer Science
LGBTQ+ mathematicians and computer programmers helped invent key components of cell phones, artificial intelligence, and microchips. Math teachers can challenge gender norms and stereotypes in word problems. Alan Turing The father of theoretical computer science...
History
What was it like to be LGBTQ+ during the Harlem Renaissance? What about during the Reagan administration? Before we had words such as transgender, what were ways people referred to themselves? Who are the people that helped establish LGBTQ+ rights and put LGBTQ+...
Science
Science class is a great place to explore diversity in the animal kingdom, discuss human chromosomes, and highlight some amazing scientists. LGBTQ+ scientists shaped our understanding of our modern world. It is important to remember that LGBTQ+ identities should...