Rainbow Revolutionaries: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Curriculum
A Supplemental Resource for 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Groups
As a public educator, Madi has witnessed first hand the urgent need for focused support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth nationwide. In response to the increasingly hostile social climate and lack of safety in schools, she drew inspiration from her own GSA students and her experience as a curriculum writer to create the curriculum—a comprehensive program designed to meet the unique needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
What is an 2SLGBTQIA+ Affinity Space?
What Are 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Groups?
2SLGBTQIA+ student groups have historically gone by many names – GSA, QSA, SAGA, etc., and are commonly referred to as GSAs, an acronym for Gender and Sexuality Alliances. GSAs are student groups centered around the empowerment and education of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for students and passionate allies. These groups serve as a safe space where members can address 2SLGBTQIA+ topics in an affirming and representative way to foster the sense of belonging of students, staff, and families in schools.
Representation is more than a coloring sheet
Adding this curriculum to your organization’s resource bank is more than just educational content; it’s a lifeline that helps bridge the gap between the scarcity of affirming representation in academic settings and the essential sense of belonging that all students deserve. Rainbow Revolutionaries: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming SEL Curriculum offers engaging lessons and activities centered on 2SLGBTQIA+ history, community building, wellness, empowerment, and identity affirmation. By providing access to culturally relevant and inclusive materials, students are given the opportunity to explore topics that have been historically marginalized, especially within traditional educational settings
What are the benefits of an intersectionally inclusive curriculum?
Incorporating diverse identities and experiences into the curriculum helps create an environment where all students can see themselves represented and valued, fostering a school community that celebrates and supports everyone’s unique background and perspective. This is crucial, as 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those of color, face disproportionately high rates of self-harm due to societal mistreatment and stigmatization. The Trevor Project states, “2SLGBTQIA+ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.”
Representation as Resistance
Rainbow Revolutionaries: An 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming SEL Curriculum aims to combat this negative stigma by serving as a powerful tool for 2SLGBTQIA+ student groups and their advisors, typically within the GSA setting. By enhancing the programming of GSAs and promoting affirming school environments, this curriculum prioritizes the safety, well-being, and sense of belonging for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Investing in this curriculum means investing in a future where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.
The Data
According to The GSA Network, “Research has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and those perceived to be 2SLGBTQIA+ face hostile environments in schools. Research focused on improving school climate for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth has determined that the implementation of 2SLGBTQIA+-inclusive lessons in class promotes greater feelings of student safety, health, and well-being.”