Where does LGBTQ fit in the curriculum

With respect to LGBT in our curriculum, it isn't explicitly taught at the elementary level.
In the Health Curriculum it's dealt with in terms of building healthy relationships and bullying.
Building healthy relationships is a key theme of the health curriculum and it starts in Grade 1.  Although LGBTQ relationships aren't named specifically, the focus should be on general points that can be applied to any relationship

The curriculum says:
"In health education, the study of healthy relationships, particularly with respect to bullying/harassment and violence prevention, should include a focus on sexist, racist, and homophobic behaviour"
Bullying is covered throughout the curriculum, but homophobia is covered specifically in the following grades:

Grade 4
describe various types of bullying and abuse (homophobia used as an example)
Grade 5
explain how a person’s actions (e.g., negative actions such as name calling, making homophobic or racist remarks, mocking appearance or ability, excluding, bullying, sexual harassment; positive actions such as praising, supporting, including) can affect the feelings, self-concept, emotional well-being, and reputation of themselves and others
Grade 7
Interpersonal Skills under Healthy  Living: practise effective responses to someone who directs a homophobic or racial slur to them or to another student)

While not mandated by the curriculum, LGBTQ discussions often arise during puberty education.
We currently have an interim edition of the curriculum.  A more comprehensive curriculum which specifically includes more LGBTQ topics is stuck in draft form.

Reflect on the language you use in your classroom!

My Personal Reflection after LGBTQ Awareness Workshop:

Stop and Think:

Something as simple as asking your students to separate into two groups: boys and girls can put students in your classroom in a difficult situation. 

Ask yourself: Are you being inclusive?

A student dealing with gender identity questioning may have be uncomfortable chosing which group they fit into!

The simple use of language can bring awareness and inclusion into your classroom

Consider the math problem:

Jimmy and his two mothers went to the store after school. Jimmy had $5 to spend what could he purchase?

Gumball $1.15
Ice Cream Cone $3.25 etc.

A teachable moment!

LGBTQ Workshop

Resources from the workshop I attended today on LGBTQ Awareness:
Presented by EGALE Canada

LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Two-Spirit, Queer and Questioning People

Questions to ask yourself:

1. What makes school unsafe for LGBTQ students, staff and parents?
2. How can I help to make a LGBTQ safer school?

Great Website for Staff Development

Online Resources -Go to the Educators Page - includes lesson plans, you can search books to use in the classroom or purchase for the library

Genderbread Person - a visual to help explain gender identity, expression and sex

What ways can we create LGBTQ safer schools pro-actively:

1. Break cycles of silence and stigma

2. Address and effectively intervene in harassment

3. Increase visibility of LGBTQ

3. Challenge heterosexism and cissexism in our schools.