ABSTRACT
One of the fears teachers have when they begin thinking about doing anti-homophobia education work is the fear of parent opposition. In the interviews the author did in the 2001–2003 research project on anti-homophobia education practices at school, teachers told that they were worried that parents would think their children shouldn’t learn about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people at school. Parents often have concerns about the hostile school culture their children have to navigate. In many school boards, teachers and principals are mandated by equity and safe-school policies to create school cultures that welcome LGBTQ students and families. Supporting the development and growth of GSAs and organizing an Anti-Racism and Pride Week is one way to begin building an inclusive school culture. Some parents who participated in the LGBTQ Families Speak Out project talk about what it takes to create schools that are accepting and supportive, schools that will lift their children up if they need it.
