Harmony
True-U

Working to abolish heterosexism and homophobia within youth and promote an environment of acceptance and respect

Overview

True-U is an interactive, discussion based educational program that focuses on issues related to identity and homophobia, with a primary focus on acceptance and respect.
With a safe space structure and a commitment to honesty, support and the consideration for others, True-U works to abolish heterosexism and homophobia within youth and to promote an environment of support and encouragement.

Through an in-depth look at the language, history and evolution of identity and sexuality, as well as cultural influences and stigmas, students will not only learn how to speak up against discrimination related to homophobia and heterosexism, but will receive Positive Space training which will be implemented into the entire school.

Goals and Objectives

The hope of True-U is to eliminate the discrimination and hatred that LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) individuals have to face every day. We aim to educate students, create a safe environment in schools and communities for individuals who are a minority with respect to sexuality and identity. With encouragement, respect, acceptance and support, the program aims to eradicate homophobia and heterosexism within the school and community, encouraging individuals to no longer looking at LGBT individuals as statistics, but people.

Statistics

• On average, 1 in 10 Canadians identify themselves as LGBT.
• Over 90% of LGBT youth report that they hear homophobic remarks in their schools (words such as "faggot", "dyke", or "queer").
• 36% of LGBT youth report hearing homophobic remarks from faculty or school staff.¹
• LGBT youth were more than four times as likely to report being threatened with a weapon on school property.²
• Homosexuality was not removed from the World Health Organization’s mental illness list until 1990. It was removed from Canada’s list in 1973.³

Who Benefits

True-U is open to all students who want to fight homophobia and heterosexism. It is not just for students who identify as a sexual minority, but everyone who wants to make a change. The program is for high schools students, grades 10-12, with an outreach to the entire school, staff and administrative body.

Outcomes

True-U is an opportunity for growth and evolution! Through this program, students will:

• Obtain a variety of tools, strategies and action plans to implement in their school.
• Have the opportunity to create new initiatives.
• Expand their leadership role as well as their knowledge about how to be an effective leader.
• Take a public stance against homophobia and heterosexism.
• Increase empathy, awareness and respect for LGBT issues in their school and community.
• Create a discrimination-free school and establish a “Positive Space” within the school.
• Increase the visibility of LGBT community and raise awareness of LGBT issues.
• Educate peers and teachers about homophobia and heterosexism as well as “Positive Space” through interactive assemblies and workshops.
• And much more!

Format

True-U is a six-week program that deals with different areas of sexuality and identity, ranging from terminology, history, religion and healthcare to media literacy, the construction of identity and advocacy building. Throughout the program, students will be given valuable information and activism strategies as well as Positive Space Training. As a final project, students of the program will provide True-U training to the entire school, including teachers, staff and administration. Through assemblies (for Grade 9-10 students) and workshops (for Grade 11-12 students and educators), the entire school will gain an understanding about issues related to sexuality and identity, as well as tools to help foster a Positive School community.

Positive Space

Positive Space Training is an opportunity for schools, offices, business and community organizations to declare that they do not discriminate people of different sexualities or identities.

Positive Space Training is sensitivity training and identifies participants as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) friendly, meaning, they are someone who has made a commitment not to discriminate against others. Usually a Positive Space is created within the school or organization as a safe room where individuals who have been bullied, threatened or discriminated against can go to find support.

Working to abolish a mentality of heterosexism and homophobia
within youth and promote an environment of
acceptance and respect.

¹ AGLBICAL- Association of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Issues in Counseling of Alabama,http://www.aglbical.org/2STATS.htm
² Right to Live: LGBT Community,http://righttoliveaz.tripod.com/id2.html
³ Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Canada, Violence Prevention Initiative,http://www.gov.nf.ca/vpi/facts/hateviolence.html