Rainbow Club: Queer, Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender-Expansive, LGBTQ+ Kids

This group is for our youngest learners who are transgender, nonbinary, gender-expansive, gender-nonconforming, agender, queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or anywhere under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. The aim of this group is to be as multisensory and multimedia as possible in a Zoom setting, and to rely less on verbal discussion than in my older groups. 

This youngest group has been created at the request of parents of students who have felt that the tween LGBTQ clubs are "too old" for their students. The group does not require any previous knowledge of LGBTQ terminology and does not require any reading or independent internet use. Visuals/handouts may be used at times, but will be explained verbally. 

Groups typically include structured activities such as reading of LGBTQ-affirmative stories or watching LGBTQ-affirmative video clips, music, art projects, movement, and brief show-and-tell. Past group activities have included a talent show, a pride parade, a costume/dress-up party, rock painting, animal yoga, drum circles, and creating a collaborative story to practice referring to characters using different sets of pronouns.

Each group is loosely structured and a schedule is reviewed at the beginning, letting students know in what order to expect activities such as introductions, personal sharing, movement, art, story, etc. Weekly groups do not generally have a topic or theme; the group will either be given a choice of activities ("do we feel like yoga or freeze dancing?") or activities will be chosen by the leader responsive to the play/discussion themes brought up by students. The group has at times planned in advance to do a special session such as a talent show or pride parade, which is always planned in such a way that newcomers can join in without needing any past knowledge or experience. The only supplies needed most weeks are basic art supplies such as a sketchbook and markers.

As Outschool is an educational platform, these are primarily social and educational groups, and not a therapeutic/medical service. Facilitator and peers may provide advice of a general nature regarding situations discussed in class, but the group is not a therapeutic process group and is not a substitute for individual professional services. 

***NOTE: Youths who are more familiar with LGBTQ terminology and more solidly established in an LGBTQ identity might be more comfortable in my tween group. There is intentionally an overlap in ages between these groups. The tween group includes more verbal discussion, and learners tend to make frequent use of the chat function and screensharing.