Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes and Learning to Respect Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Replicable by schools, the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum established a Gender Stereotype/LGBT (GS/LGBT) lesson plan, using "experiential" small group discussion led by an adult. Amid displays of celebrity LGBT persons and straight allies, age-appropriate books, and posters showing diverse families, students discussed stereotypes, prejudice, gender expectations, family, responsibility for others, and the phrase “that’s so gay” with a trained adult using flexible “experiential” curriculum which was sometimes altered by students’ questions. The goals were to increase student knowledge and respect for diversity as well as to impact students’ behavioral intentions and actual behaviors in their schools and communities. Pre and post assessments demonstrated that the majority of students experienced substantial positive changes in awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior through participating in the Kidsbridge program. These changes included increased recognition and rejection of stereotypes and an increased commitment to creating a positive social climate. A month later, students reported a number of changes in their own behavior, including asking others to stop saying “so gay” and making an effort to reach out to socially isolated peers. When teachers participate with their students, they become more comfortable answering students' questions, discussing difficult issues, and committed to teaching respect for all persons.