Find information and strategies to create an early childhood setting that is welcoming for all LGBTQIA2S+ children, families, and staff.
LGBTQIA2S+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, or additional sexual orientations and gender identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender.
Pamphlets and Articles
Do No Harm: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families in Early Childhood Settings
Burt, T., Gelnaw, A., & Lesser, L. K. "Do No Harm: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families in Early Childhood Settings." Young Children 65(1) (January 2010): 97–102.
Learn the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments for all children and families in early childhood settings. This article highlights the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) code of ethical conduct, goals of anti-bias education presented in "Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010), and tips for including all families in early childhood settings.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families: Tools for Directors in Supporting Staff Discussion with Fears
Burt, T., & Klinger, L. L. "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families: Tools for Directors in Supporting Staff Discussion with Fears." Exchange 30(5) (September/October 2008): 62–65.
Read about the need for all early childhood settings to create environments where children and their families feel visible and honored. Find strategies for opening dialogue with staff and identifying and addressing common fears.
Embracing All Families on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
A Note on Mother's Day & Father's Day Human Rights Campaign Foundation. A Note on Mother's Day & Father's Day. Washington, DC, 2015.
Explore guide to making activities for Mother's and Father's Days more welcoming for all students and their families—including families with LGBT parents, families with single moms or dads, and families with grandparents raising children.
Opening Doors: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parents and Schools
Family Equality Council. New York, NY, 2011.
This guide offers parents guidance on creating supportive, safe, and welcoming learning environments for all young children, with an emphasis on LGBT-headed families. Find stories of young children from LGBT-headed families, descriptions of facts/fears and rights and responsibilities, and conversation prompts to engage with LGBT-headed families.
A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children. Rockville, MD, 2014.
This resource guide offers information and resources to help practitioners in health and social service systems implement best practices to engage and help families and caregivers support their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children.
Who Can Marry Whom? Inclusive Conversations About Marriage
Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Who Can Marry Whom? Inclusive Conversations about Marriage. Washington, DC, (n.d.).
Discover sample responses to children's questions about marriage. It includes the Checklist for a Welcoming and Inclusive School Environment.
Research
Children with Parents Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents. Washington, DC, May 2019.
Learn myths about outcomes for children raised by LGBT parents compared to children from heterosexual families from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Report concludes quality of parent/provider relationships with a young child affects the child's development.
LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance
Movement Advancement Project. LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance. Denver, CO, January 2012.
This brief offers detailed recommendations for eliminating or reducing inequities and improving the lives of children with parents who identify as LGBT.
Websites
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Last Updated: August 28, 2024