Good evening, I’m [INTRODUCE YOURSELF]. I believe that when we have families engaged in our schools, it’s better for kids and it’s better for our communities. Because of this, I’d like to use my time tonight to talk about the importance of creating schools and classrooms where all families can feel like they belong – even if they look different from each other.
Every family looks different, and some of those differences aren’t very well reflected in the language we often use or assumptions we make in our classrooms. Some of those differences can be adoptive families; multiracial families; single parent families; grandparents, aunts, or uncles who are caregivers; LGBTQ+ families; and the list goes on. Despite these differences, love is what makes a family.
An LGBTQ+ family is a family that has one or more people in it that identify with the LGBTQ+ community. This could mean a family with two moms, two dads, a caregiver who is trans or nonbinary, or a family where the child identifies as LGBTQ+.
Diverse family inclusion strategies could include:
- Inclusive language: Instead of saying “mom and dad” saying “grown ups or caregivers”
- Asking questions: Asking students what they call their caregivers and using the same language.
- Displays: Having pictures of diverse families in the classroom or displaying a rainbow.
- Books: Reading books about families that are diverse in structure, gender, race, generation, or culture.
- Celebrations and activities: Having celebrations that are inclusive to diverse family structures and activities that allow students to illustrate who they view as family.
- Engaging families: Invite families to participate in conversations about what family means to them and how their family is diverse. Support families’ diversity through inclusion.
When including diverse families in the classroom, students are able to see themselves represented and normalize their experiences outside of the classroom. Inclusion in an educational setting allows students to learn about families different from their own and understand the love present within their family.
Sources:
Building LGBTQIA+ and Gender Affirming Schools – Guide
