The History and Impact of Anti-LGBT Slurs
Source: Anti-Defamation League
Subject: History
Topic: Integrated
Grade Levels: Middle School: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade; High School: 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Overview:
In this lesson students listen to the oral history of an advocate for LGBT family rights, and use her personal story as a vehicle for considering how anti-LGBT attitudes are formed. Students explore the derivation of the words “gay,” “f*ggot” and “d*ke” in order to better understand the long history of judgment and hate behind these words. They also reflect on the testimony of LGBT teens about the impact of terms like “that’s so gay.”
Content warning: the terms “f*ggot” and “d*ke” appear uncensored in this lesson plan.