Educators' Beliefs about Raising Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in the Schools: The Experience in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the experiences of 132 LGBT and heterosexual teachers and school administrators in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed a survey that asked about their comfort addressing LGBT issues in the school setting, how safe they felt, how active they were, and their perceptions of barriers. There were few differences between the LGBT and heterosexual respondents. However, respondents whose school district had an anti-LGBT harassment policy felt more supported, comfortable, and protected. Respondents were more concerned about negative reactions from parents and students than from colleagues or administrators. Implications for addressing LGBT issues in school settings are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Attitudes and beliefs
• Canada
• educational policy
• educators
• LGBT youth
• legal
• teachers

Notes

∗∗ p < .01.

1. In Canada, for historical reasons, there are two publicly funded school systems. The public school system, which is secular, and the Catholic school system. This arrangement arose to protect the rights of French Canadians, rather than as a religious issue, per se.

2. See, for example, the Government of Alberta, Department of Education (www.education.gov.ab.ca/bullyingPrevention/), Canadian Safe Schools Network (Canadiansafeschools.com/index.asp), Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (www.etfo.on.ca), and Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation (www.osstf.on.ca).