Keywords
sex-education, LGBTQ youth, suicide, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, Ontario
Abstract
Abstract
In order to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students, the Ontario government recently introduced a new sex education curriculum that seeks to educate all students about the LGBTQ community. Through a progressive initiative, the rise of social media and information technology have changed the way in which students interact and learn, so it is critical to develop a current understanding of struggles that LGBTQ students face, whether it be with conventional forms of discrimination and bullying, or instances of cyberbullying. It is likewise important to understand how these issues impact their self-perceptions and development. To understand these concerns, the current study employs an extensive literature review, then, through the lens of the anti-oppressive practice (AOP) and theory of change, explores potential solutions and considers the effectiveness of Ontario’s new sex education curriculum. The findings suggest that qualitative, longitudinal, and comparative research will need to be done in the future to determine the nature of the issues that current LGBTQ students face and the effectiveness of proposed solutions.
Primary Advisor
Christopher J. Greig
Program Reader
Zuochen Zhang
Degree Name
Master of Education
Department
Education
Document Type
Major Research Paper