LGBTQ flag

LGBTQ and Gender Identity Issues

Find resources (articles, videos, reports, lesson plans, etc.) that explore issues affecting people who are gender fluid (or questioning), gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or questioning, and that seek positive solutions that uphold and protect their rights as human beings. Use these resources to help learn more and/or teach about these issues. Curated by the Institute…

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Child Marriage

Child Marriage

Find resources (videos, lesson plans, articles, books, and more) to help you learn and/or teach about issues related to child marriage. Curated by the Institute for Humane Education.

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books

4 Books About Transgender Youth

by Marsha Rakestraw Not only do people who are transgender have to deal with bullying, violence, and bigotry, but young people also must frequently grapple with changing bodies, unsupportive families and schools, and the challenges of navigating a very unique experience. Children who may be transgender need to read about others who share their experiences,…

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marisol doesn't match

5 Children’s Picture Books Celebrating Identity

by Marsha Rakestraw Even we adults struggle with our identity, so imagine how challenging it is for children, in a world full of mixed messages, stereotypes, and media and cultural pressures. Celebrating identity is a powerful and vital part of raising healthy, compassionate, thriving young citizens. Here are 5 children’s picture books that celebrate identity….

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man & woman standing together

Four Must-See Films About Sexual Assault

by Marsha Rakestraw Although the “Stanford rape case” has garnered the most attention lately, the sexual assault of women and girls is a regular occurrence. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, in the US, 1 in 5 women will be raped at some time in their lives. The treatment of many girls and…

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father and son playing with dollhouse

11 Children’s Picture Books That Shatter Gender Stereotypes

by Marsha Rakestraw Just as we like to pretend that we live in a post-racial society, many of us want to avoid talking about sexism, stereotypes, and gender inequities. After all, women are CEOs and scientists and MMA fighters. And men can (sometimes) express their feelings (in certain cases), and can be stay-at-home dads and…

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pink

Looking Beyond “Pinkification” and Other Gender Stereotypes

by Marsha Rakestraw In March 2014, a couple of essays appeared in Slate and New York Magazine, castigating mothers of girls for complaining about the “pinkification” of girl stuff, citing it as an example of girl blaming. Author Yael Kohen wrote, “No symbol of girl culture is more powerful than pink.” There was a significant counter-response…

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newspaper racks

Who’s Missing From Mainstream Media? (lesson plans)

by Marsha Rakestraw A few years ago at our graduate student residency, one of the students led an activity in which small groups looked at the prevalence of men, women, and people of color as authors of articles in different sections of the newspaper, such as Style, Sports, Business, and Arts. They found that men…

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