MAKING SCHOOLS SAFE AND INCLUSIVE: GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES AND SCHOOL CLIMATE IN ONTARIO

Authors

  • Julian Kitchen
  • Christine Bellini

Abstract

Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) have become widespread in Ontario schools and, starting in 2012, all schools are required to permit students to form GSAs. While American research suggests that GSAs have a positive impact on school safety and inclusion, there is little research on the impact of GSAs in Canadian schools. This study, based on a survey of 41 educators working with GSAs, suggests that policy changes in Ontario have had a positive impact on school climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students and that GSAs contribute to the development of safer and more inclusive schools.

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Published

2017-07-25

Issue

No. 146 (2013)

Section

Articles

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