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Lesson Plans – LGBTQ Rights

Constitutional Amendments and Gay Marriage
Source: PBS
Examines the legal battle over legalizing gay marriage and process of amending the US Constitution.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, current events, government


Exploring the Human Rights of Sexual Minorities
Source: Amnesty International UK
A 6-lesson curriculum. Through role-play, research, and case studies, examines the use of language, the nature of prejudice and how it can be challenged in the UK and around the world. Introduces the experience of lesbians and gay men around the world as an example of how people have been oppressed for their identity and how they are overcoming that oppression.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Gay Rights: The Struggle Continues
Source: McCormick Foundation
Scaffolded class discussion lesson plan that addresses whether the US Constitution protects gay rights.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, government


Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights: A Human Rights Perspective
Source: by David Donahue, Univ. of Minnesota Human Rights Center, 2002
Full curriculum that examines GLBT issues from multiple perspectives: human rights the law, media, language, social prejudices, and the climate of the school.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Lorraine Hansberry: LGBT Politics and Civil Rights
Source: Teaching Tolerance
Analysis of the connection between civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights. Explore the interplay between the ideas and activism that shaped the political movements after World War II.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, language arts, US History


No Bullying: the Movement against Bullying
Source: No Bullying: the Movement against Bullying
Lesson plans, resources, and advice on making safe schools.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies


Recreating Marriage: The Same-Sex Union Debate
Source: PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
Explores the same-sex debate through analysis, assessment and debate of key perspectives and arguments that frame the controversial issue. Resources include segments from PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly and relevant Web sites.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, current events


Think B4 Your Speak
Source: GLSEN, the Ad Council
Audio transcripts with lesson plans that discuss anti-LGBT language in the media to teach about the effects anti-gay language and strategize skills to navigate these issues. Includes a Teacher’s Guide.
Grade Level: Middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies, current events


Unheard Voices: Stories of LGBT History
Source: Anti-Defamation League, GLSEN, Story Corps
Oral history with audio transcripts and curriculum project helping educators integrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) history, people and issues into their instructional programs.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

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