Jason P. Wheeler
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LGBTQ

Affirming Schools

Person-First vs Identity-First Language

2/6/2020

 
I have been having conversations lately about person-first language vs. identity-first language. I have come to realize there is no clear answer or guidance. Like all work related to identity — it’s all about taking the lead from members of the community. Check out the link below -- this is a great article and has help frame my thinking.
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LINK

Gender Inclusive LAnguage

11/6/2019

 
This document remains one of my all-time favorites to share with educators. I feel is important for all adults to feel they have their go-to response when children have questions about gender. For me, I often feel like the simplest response is the best. I tend to use, "because that what make them happy". Check out this great resource below from Gender Spectrum - it is chockfull of great language.  
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National Coming OUt Day: New Resource for Youth

10/11/2019

 
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The Trevor Project’s Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People, is a resource that covers a wide range of topics to support LGBTQ young people in exploring what coming out safely can mean for them. 
  • Basics of gender: gender identity, gender expression, and transitioning
  • Basics of sexual orientation: physical attraction, romantic attraction, and emotional attraction
  • Coming out: planning ahead, testing the waters, environment, support systems, and safety
  • Healthy relationships, self-care, mental health, and warning signs of negative mental health outcomes such as seriously considering suicide

Inclusive Elementary Schools

10/10/2019

 
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I am a huge fan of sharing joy!

This afternoon I walked into the Sheehan Elementary School in Westwood and saw these posters all over the place. This is one concrete example of what it can look like to create safe and welcoming spaces for all students at an elementary school.

Thank you to the staff and students of the Sheehan for being so thoughtful, loving and inclusive.   

GLSEN: Tips for Supporting Students Through a Challenging Back to School Season

9/16/2019

 
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Check out the back to school program GLSEN recently launched to support educators across the country who are addressing some recent events and tragedies affecting us all (e.g. mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, two more in a seemingly continuous timeline of gun violence, along with the Mississippi ICE raids). 

Activity: Getting-to-know YOU

8/22/2019

 
The start of a school year is an important time to get-to-know your students. In addition, it is a critical time to establish your classroom as a place where all students will be cared for and respected. There are lots of ways to get to know your students (games, activities, reflective activities, etc.). This tool asks a series of  questions that cover a range of topics, but most importantly, this activity revolves around the  learner’s identity. Click the image below to check it out!
Image of the Getting-to-Know YOU activity sheet. This image contains a book, a ruler, a pencil and a pencil sharpener.

2019 GSA Student Leadership Summit

3/20/2019

 
The Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council is holding its annual GSA Student Leadership Summit from August 10–12, 2019 at UMASS Amherst. The Summit is free to attend, meals and limited transportation are provided. The goal of the summit is to develop high school student leaders and support statewide connections by establishing a statewide body of student leaders known as the Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council. 
Click Here to Learn More
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Here is a direct link to the applications: 
Staff Application
Student Application

​Below are a bunch of photographs from the 2018 GSA Student Leadership Summit. Check them out!  

Protect Trans Kids

2/20/2019

 
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Ya'll, this is how to use your power and your platform to send a strong message of love and support.   Thank you Don Cheadle!  This is beautiful. 
Read More

SpeakOut Boston Scholarship

2/19/2019

 
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SpeakOUT Boston Scholarship
Applications for the 2019 scholarship are now being accepted.

​Award: There will be two $500 scholarships awarded in 2019. Each awardee will also be given the opportunity to take SpeakOUT’s Speaker Training for free. Click here to learn more. 


56º in February = Happy Bees

2/5/2019

 

Boston’s FLAG Flag Football League Marc E. Lewis Youth Scholarship

1/29/2019

 
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FLAG (Friends, Lesbians, and Gays) Flag Football will be awarding up to $5,000 to a graduating Massachusetts high school student or students who will be attending a two- or four-year college or a post-high school career school in the 2019-2020 academic year. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has made high school and/ or community sports programs safer for, and more inclusive of, LGBTQ student-athletes, as either a role model or ally. Students of all athletic skill levels, achievement, and contributions are encouraged to apply. All students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Additional Information about the scholarship and previous recipients can be found here.

The link to the scholarship can be found by clicking here. 

The application deadline, including receipt of two letters of recommendation, is February 22, 2019.

Loving • Reflecting • Healing

12/1/2018

 
For the past 20 years, on World AIDS Day, I have always stopped by the Boston Center for the Arts to spend a bit of time in the Medicine Wheel. The “Medicine Wheel,” is a 24-hour vigil with a major sculptural art installation rooted in the Celtic Medicine Wheel. The space uses the universal symbol of the circle as gathering spot for individuals to come together to  heal, reflect and remember. For me, taking time of silent contemplation, prayer and reflection is important. This day is about supporting people I love who are HIV positive and remembering the many people we have lost. 
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Visibility is Critical

11/30/2018

 
I often think about how we reflect the true diversity of the people in our schools and communities. Recently, I was talking with a student about the how LGBTQ folks are increasingly being represented in on TV and in the media. I made some quick remark about increased visibility being beneficial to us all. Without hesitation the student said, "famous people do not represent my experience as a young person in this city". The student went on to explain that these individuals are typically wealthy, white and popular. In addition, famous people have access to designers, surgeons and a host of other supports that help them project the image they what the public to see.  This student told me that they need to see young people, students of color, and lot more nonbinary representations of gender. 

I want to share a few examples of how we can create greater visibility in our schools and communities for people who are often underrepresented. This is a small collection of images that will work in middle and high schools. I am doing a little digging to find ways this can be done similarly within elementary schools.

​Stay tuned...

Inclusive Restroom Signage

11/28/2018

 
Keep it simple with a strong message!

​Lots of people have been asking about inclusive restroom signage. This my favorite option these days.   



Feel free to use it. You can download a PDF version below. 
restroom_sign.pdf
File Size: 80 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Image of a faucet washing hands and a person using a wheelchair. Text reads: Restroom. This bathroom is for everyone.

(M) (F) & now (N)

11/15/2018

 
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Click here to access the FAQ developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding the nonbinary gender marker. 

4 Ways to Support Trans Students of Color

10/24/2018

 
I am constantly learning and screwing up. Students have always been my greatest teachers -- I am grateful.   

As someone who works predominately in school environments, I feel it is critical for us to listen, learn, acknowledge privileges and highlight the voices of students who are underrepresented.   

I appreciate the reminder.
​This is an important reminder for us all.
​Please take a moment to read and share. 
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School Welcome Signs

10/18/2018

 
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I am so excited to share these with the world.  I have been thinking a lot these days about how to be more active - specifically as it relates to supporting the transgender and gender nonconforming people who I love and who are part of our schools, communities, state, country and world.  I realized that we need to be more overt when it comes to letting people know they are welcome and loved.   

I approached my friend Quinn to be a co-conspirator on this project. Quinn excitedly agreed. Together, we developed a series of welcome signs for schools to use.

I hope people use these signs. Our LGBTQ students and families need to see them. In my opinion, we need to be more visible in our support and love. 
Check it OUT

Buzz... Buzz... Brrr...

10/2/2018

 
Spent some time getting the bees ready for winter. Keeping my fingers crossed that they do well. This is the first time I have tried wrapping the hives with insulation. I also installed candy boards at the top of the hives - want them to be well fed.    

Hopefully the bees like PINK!  

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November 6th

10/1/2018

 
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Red: A Crayon's Story

9/27/2018

 
I love this book!  If you don't know it, check it out. Here is a blurb from the website... 

​"Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He's blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone!"

I've used this book in many schools and classrooms to teach children the idea that there is so much more to a person than just what we can see.  

Here is a cool resource. The HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools Program offers a fantastic lesson plan complete with templates for classroom teachers. Check it out. 

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    Jason P. Wheeler

    A person who sets out to create change and is often reminded that it involves a lot of self-work. 

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