[aisle] [External] teaching LGBTQ+ texts in conservative school

Fri Oct 9 16:37:43 CDT 2020

Hi Lori,

I love that this teacher is looking to include LGBTQ themes and topics in
the classroom! I would encourage the teacher to take steps to protect the
emotional well-being of LGBTQ students during this process. Teachers should
always assume they have students in their classes who are LGBTQ. Gay or
transgender rights, for example, are not topics for debate, and classroom
discussions about this should be handled very carefully. Introducing texts
about LGBTQ issues and having students write personal reflections would be
a great way to start.

Sherry Jo Baehr
GSA Sponsor
Head Librarian @ Niles West High School

My Pronouns: she/her ~ See mypronouns.org to learn more

On Fri, Oct 9, 2020 at 12:42 PM Katie Pausch via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> I would focus on the necessity of preparing our students for the broader
> world, and the need to understand and recognize others (even when we might
> disagree). I imagine your school integrates an understanding of the
> history, cultures, and current events related to Islam, for example, even
> if it doesn't agree with it theologically.
>
> Katie Pausch
> Lake Forest High School
>
> On Fri, Oct 9, 2020 at 12:17 PM Lala Lala via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Thanks for your time, but I didn't need a list of texts. I already have
>> one. I should have been more specific in what I was asking.
>>
>> I'd like to ask your advice in* introducing LGBTQ+ topics and themes in
>> a conservative environment*.
>>
>> Thank you for advice that way, if you can.
>>
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Lori
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2020 at 8:54 AM Rademacher, Kristen via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>>> I am a high school librarian at a Chicago southside Catholic high
>>> school. These are fiction and non fic texts that our students use regularly
>>> and even teachers use in class:
>>>
>>> *Fiction:*
>>>
>>>    - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by
>>>    Benjamin Alire Saenz
>>>    - You Should See Me in a Crown buy Lean Johnson
>>>    - Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertelli
>>>    - What If Its Us by Becky Albertelli
>>>    - If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
>>>    - Juliet Takes a Breath by Gaby Rivera
>>>    - Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazimian
>>>    - Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorman
>>>    - We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
>>>    - October Mourning by Leslea Newman
>>>    - The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus
>>>    - Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Nonfiction:*
>>>
>>>    - Building a bridge : how the Catholic Church and the LGBT community
>>>    can enter into a relationship of respect, compassion, and sensitivity by
>>>    James Martin
>>>    - Beyond Magenta by
>>>    - Trans Generation by Ann Travers
>>>    - LGBTQ + Athletes Claim the Field by Kristin Cronn-Mills
>>>    - Queer by Kathy Belge
>>>    - Marriage Equality by Jason Porterfield
>>>    - Stonewall by Ann Bausum
>>>    - Branded by the Pink Triangle by Ken Setterington
>>>    - It Gets Better by Dan Savage
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This list could get mush longer if I had more time to fill it out. But
>>> that should arm you with some great titles that kids in a Catholic school
>>> truly use, love and share. The book Building a Bridge is used in all our
>>> Junior Social Justice classes as curriculum.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Kristen Rademacher*
>>>
>>> *Librarian*
>>>
>>> *1 Book 1 Marist Director*
>>>
>>> *Marist High School <http://www.marist.net/academics/arclibrary/>*
>>>
>>> *773.881.5356*
>>>
>>> *@1Book1Marist*
>>>
>>> rademacher.kristen at marist.net
>>> <rademacher.kristen at marist.net%3cmailto:rademacher.kristen at marist.net>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> * On Behalf Of *Lala
>>> Lala via AISLE
>>> *Sent:* Friday, October 9, 2020 8:23 AM
>>> *To:* AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators
>>> discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>>> *Cc:* Lala Lala <lalalibrary918 at gmail.com>
>>> *Subject:* [External] [aisle] teaching LGBTQ+ texts in conservative
>>> school
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I have a meeting in an hour with a teacher who has asked for advice in
>>> LGBTQ+ themed texts in our Catholic school.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Do you have advice? And please don't be preachy or judgey- I know that
>>> some of our dear students identify within the LGBTQ+ community. I'd like to
>>> ask specifically to those who can relate and have experience. Your advice
>>> is appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you!!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lori
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Lori McGreal
>>>
>>> Trinity High School librarian
>>>
>>> lmcgreal at trinityhs.org
>>>
>>> 1-708-453-9340
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *The e-mail above is from an external source. Please do not open
>>> attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin.*
>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Lori McGreal
>> Trinity High School librarian
>> lmcgreal at trinityhs.org
>> 1-708-453-9340
>>
>>
>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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