3 files available upon enrollment
💥 Students should prepare the following items before the start of class:

📕 1. A free PDF of the book will be available to all students in the classroom in the very first posting welcoming them to the class. If you prefer a hard copy of the textbook, you can order "Finding Out: An Introduction to LGBTQ Studies" 2nd Edition by Jonathan Alexander, Deborah T. Meem, and Michelle A. Gibson. ISBN-13: 978-1452235288. 

🎨 2. For Self-Paced Students Only: Canva Accounts: Teens are required to create free Canva accounts to design virtual posters (.jpg) and online slideshows (.mp4), download them to their computers, and then upload them to the classroom as attachments. Parents may need to help their students in setting up Canva accounts and guide them on different ways to create slideshows, presentations, and photo collages. Creating a Canva account is easy using this link: https://www.canva.com/.

🔔 It is crucial that students familiarize themselves with these materials before the class begins.

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Human Rights Campaign/Welcoming Schools
GLSEN Unheard Voices 
GSA Network
Youtube

👉 This high school class is a unique opportunity for students who possess a high level of maturity, an open mind, and a genuine desire to learn about complex and crucial topics. I want to stress that this course draws from a college-level curriculum, and as such, we will be exploring some adult themes. My mission is to provide a deep understanding of various aspects of LGBTQ+ studies, which may include sensitive subjects and content.

👉 Throughout this class, we will engage in thoughtful discussions through the assignments about a wide range of topics, such as gender, sexual expression, transgender issues, sexology, and the diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ community. We'll also delve into important subjects like gay and lesbian experiences, bisexuality, pansexuality, intersexuality, questioning, and queerness. In addition, we'll explore a variety of other significant themes, including asexuality, romantic orientations, the fight for marriage equality, the vibrant world of drag queens and drag kings, as well as the harsh realities of bullying and challenges within the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems.

👉 This course isn't just about facts; it's about empathy and understanding. We'll take a close look at the equal rights movement and delve into the history of HIV/AIDS, discussing the impact it has had on the LGBTQ+ community. We will also touch on the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues with racial matters, exploring the incredible history of activism and the historical riots that have shaped the path toward acceptance and equality.

As we journey through the LGBTQ+ experience, we'll even explore the captivating world of LGBTQ+ pulp novels and the compelling photo history that documents this community's rich heritage.

👉 However, it's essential to recognize that some of the videos and images we will encounter may include explicit content or artistic representations from the past as we study history, protests, and riots. This content may evoke strong emotions or act as triggers for some students. My goal is to provide a safe and inclusive space for all participants, and Outschool & I expect everyone to show mutual respect and understanding. Hate speech in any form will not be tolerated. Students or parents engaging in hate speech will face removal from the class, with refunds unavailable.

👉 All students, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual identity, are warmly welcomed in this class. My aim is to promote acceptance, understanding, and empathy for all. We look forward to embarking on this educational journey with each and every one of you!

💥 IMPORTANT NOTES:

▶ 👥️ ✅ If you enroll your teen in the Self-Pace option there will be educator interactions within the classroom and private messages. I am available to assist and support your teen through private messaging for up to three weeks from the time your teen starts the course. Feedback on assignments, projects, and final projects will be provided by me, encouraging students to revisit completed homework for further learning opportunities. However, after thirteen weeks, I will no longer provide feedback or grades, give a certificate of completion, or respond to private messages. Furthermore, your teen must complete every assignment in every lesson by the last day of the 13th week, including the final project, to be eligible for a certificate or grade if you're seeking those items. Self-paced classes prioritize on-demand learning, not on-demand teaching & educators are not responsible or accountable for learners falling behind per Outschool Policy. 

▶ 👤🚫 If you enroll your teen into the "Outschool Unlimited" (subscription) option there will be NO educator interaction per Outschool policy. Assessments, grades, and certificates will also be unavailable.

▶ 🔒 If you choose to pay using the weekly option, one entire lesson will unlock every week for self-paced & subscription students. A student will not be able to continue to the next lesson until 7 days later when you are charged for the next week.

▶ 🔓 If you choose to pay the entire class fee upfront all 13 lessons will automatically unlock and be available all at once for both self-paced and Outschool Unlimited subscription students. 

FROM: Outschool...
While our open community is our greatest source of strength, it also brings challenges. It is important to us that Outschool is a safe space for our users. Our members should treat each other without bias or prejudice across all pillars of diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, and gender identity. Down below are Outschool's Parent and Learner guidelines that we ask our members to observe. Outschool members who do not meet these guidelines will be removed from the site.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. Learners should only attend class under their own enrollment, as themselves. It violates Outschool policy for a learner to use their sibling’s or another learner’s enrollment to attend class. Learners may only join a live meeting by using the green button in their class on their Outschool Learner Account. Educators are forbidden from sending links and passwords to Zoom live meetings.

2. Ask questions of teachers to clarify any missing details about classes, important information about your learner, and fill out your learner's profile such as age, gender preference, and any notes that the educator may need to know about your learner so they may help your learner throughout the class.

3. Make sure your learner shows up for their class; many classes depend on group conversation, and the absence of a single student can have a big impact. If a learner must miss a live meeting please have them notify their educator via a private message under the Teacher tab in their learner account as soon as possible, or you may notify the educator under the Message tab on your parent account.

4. Provide constructive feedback and reviews about your class experience, for the benefit of the teacher and other parents. The same goes for private messages.

5. Engage in civil conversation, and speak and act with respect for different opinions. Check for private messages from your learner's educators and respond promptly. All communication must take place and stay on Outschool. Private messages between parents and the teacher must be done through the parent's dashboard and not the learner's dashboard. Learners must use their dashboard to privately communicate with the teacher and not use their parent's dashboard. When receiving an email notification of a message from the teacher it is best to scroll down to the bottom of the email and click on the "view this conversation on Outschool" link to read & respond to the teacher.

6. Help keep Outschool a safe space for learners, families, and teachers from all backgrounds, beliefs, and locations. To that end, we encourage you to watch our Trust and Safety Code of Conduct video with your learner. Learners may not share personal information such as email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, gamer tags, social media, etc.

LEARNER CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. Join the class on time and be ready to learn. Have all of the tools, textbooks, handouts, notes, or anything else the educator has asked of you ready to go before class starts.

2. Be kind: Help all learners feel welcome and included. Give positive feedback to your fellow classmates.

3. Be safe: Keep your personal information private and never ask other learners for theirs (e.g., email address, mailing address, phone number, gamer tags, etc.). All communication must take place and stay on Outschool.

4. Be respectful: Treat others how you want to be treated. Dress in a manner appropriate for class; please be fully clothed with both a top and bottoms on and sit upright for the class. Treat the teacher and your classmates with respect. 

5. Engage & Participate: Contribute to a class environment in a way that is safe and welcoming for learners and teachers from all backgrounds, beliefs, and locations. Take responsibility for making each class a great learning experience for yourself and your classmates: participate, stay on topic, and avoid distractions. Check for private messages from your educator and respond back promptly.

6. Private messages between parents and the teacher must be done through the parent's dashboard and not the learner's dashboard. Learners must use their dashboard to privately communicate with the teacher and not use their parent's dashboard. When receiving an email notification of a message from the teacher it is best to scroll down to the bottom of the email and click on the "view this conversation on Outschool" link to read & respond to the teacher.

OUTSCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. We welcome members from all backgrounds, beliefs, and locations and are committed to creating a safe space for our users across all pillars of diversity.

2. We will listen to feedback from parents, teachers, and learners, and make changes accordingly. Send an email to support@outschool at any time!

3. We will create and enforce policies to create a high-quality, trusted, and safe community for learning. This may include removing content or users from the platform.

4. We will respond promptly to questions and issues that arise.

TEACHER CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. Offer classes only where you have the appropriate background or expertise.

2. Teach classes professionally: 

3. Be prepared, begin on time, and treat all learners with respect.  

4. Do not teach while impaired and do not model any behavior that a student age 18 or younger is restricted from doing.  

5. Respond promptly to parent questions and requests.

6. Communicate with parents and learners in a professional manner, both in messages and in-class.

7. Keep all communications on our platform; never provide personal contact information to parents or learners for “off-platform” communications, or in-person meetings (prohibited unless an Outschool-sponsored event). 

8. Adhere to our class content policy by only offering secular, objective, age-appropriate classes

9. Create a safe and welcoming space for learners and families from all backgrounds & beliefs.