Safe Zone/Safe Haven: The Safe Haven sticker on a teacher's door or by their desk, lets all students know that heterosexism and homophobia will not be tolerated in that space.  It also lets LGBTQ students know that the teacher is an ally and someone they can talk to.           

Ally: Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, and heterosexual privilege in themselves and others.           

Heterosexual Privilege: Those benefits derived automatically by being heterosexual that are denied to LGBTQ people. Also, the benefits LGBTQ people receive as a result of claiming heterosexual identity or denying LGBTQ identity. 

Heterosexism: Heterosexism is a form of oppression (like other forms of oppression - racism sexism, anti-Semitism, classism, ableism, etc.) that targets gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. The assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexuality is superior and the “normal” way to be.                                                                                                            

Homophobia:The irrational hatred of LGBTQ people, or behaviors associated with LGBTQ status.       

Institutional Oppression: Oppression that is built into institutions such as schools, churches, laws, etc.

Internalized Oppression: The hatred of oneself due to an oppressed identity (such as LGBTQI) which can result in low self esteem, depression, isolation, risky behaviors, alcohol and drug abuse, or suicide.                                   

Coming Out: The life-long process of the development of a positive LGBTQI identity including telling people in one’s life about their identity.

• 91.5% of LGBT students report hearing homophobic remarks, such as “faggot”, “dyke” or the expression “that’s so gay” frequently or often (2003, GLSEN).
• 82.9% of LGBT students report that faculty or staff never intervened or intervened only some of the time when present and homophobic remarks were made (2003, GLSEN).
• 55% of transgender youth report being physically harassed because of their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation (2003, GLSEN).
• 60.9% of students who said their school had a GSA were less likely to report feeling unsafe at school (2003, GSLEN).
• LGBT students who can identify supportive faculty or staff do better in school than those who cannot, with grade point averages more than 10% higher than their peers (2003, GLSEN).