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In recent years, a movement has emphasized the need for inclusive public education to provide positive role models for students who previously lacked such opportunities. It also aims to facilitate an understanding of the challenges faced by some groups throughout our history and create a safer, more accepting school environment.
In 2011, California became the first state to require that the social studies curriculum include the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) figures and their roles in contemporary society. Similar legislation was passed eight years later in Colorado and New Jersey.
Similar to the absence of diverse role models in academic subjects is the dearth of inclusive sexual health education relevant to LGBTQ students in public education. According to a Williams Institute survey conducted in September 2020,9.54 percent of American youth ages 13-17 identify as LGBTQ. The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) State Profile, updated in May 2020, states that, although sex education is required in 29 of the 50 states, only 11 states ensure that the curriculum includes information affirming LGBTQ identities or relevant to LGBTQ students; transgender students are often completely overlooked. In fact, eight states mandate either negative portrayals or no mention of LGBTQ people when teaching health education. Avoiding proper sexual education for as much as 10 percent of the youth population is a dangerous public health proposition and exacerbates the already serious physical and mental health risks faced by LGBTQ youth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the potential for risky sexual behavior by LGBTQ youth can be addressed by providing appropriate sexual health education. LGBTQ mental health is also improved by affirmative LGBTQ sexual health education, which aims to remove stigma and lower the likelihood of victimization.
WHY AN LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM?
Adolescence is a critical period in a young person's cognitive, emotional, and identity development. Research shows that a young person's experiences in school can have a particularly important influence on their academic and social-emotional growth, physical health, and mental well-being. Providing students with a quality education includes facilitating a positive school climate and implementing social and emotional supports that foster healthy developmental outcomes. For LGBTQ youth, these supports can be particularly important to make certain that they...