Queer education is harm reduction

Douglas College student research essay submitted as partial requirement for PHIL 2360 - Philosophy and Feminist thought. Faculty sponsor to submit this research essay to DOOR: Dr. Charlotte Sabourin (Philosophy and Humanities). <p>Queerphobic rhetoric is on the rise in Western countries as the political right pushes messages of intolerance and even outright hatred for LGBTQIA+ people. Intolerance is often born out of misunderstanding or miseducation, which can lead to an anger inspired by fear. But we should not be afraid of LGBTQIA+ people, rather, we must be afraid for them. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are constantly under threat, even in “progressive” societies such as ours. The Trevor Project reports that LGBTQIA+ youth are more than four times as likely to fall victim to suicide than their cishet peers 1, with 45% of LGBQ+ youth having seriously considered suicide in the last year and 1 in 5 gender diverse youth having made a suicide attempt 2. Hate crimes reported to Canadian police based on sexual orientation were up over 60% between 2020 and 2021, making it the highest number of hate crimes targeting. It is not an exaggeration to say that queer education saves lives. By providing students with the terms and understanding needed to express their true selves you are dramatically increasing their quality of life. Teaching youth about LGBTQIA+ identities and issues helps to foster acceptance and equality not just within the schools but within society at large.</p>