Orientation, contains 55 lessons addressing ways to teach about sexual orientation! This manual takes a broad, comprehensive approach to building the framework for understanding sexual orientation!

Section 1
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS

WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The Sexual and Gender Profile (SGP) Concept
by Deborah M. Roffman, MS

DICE GAME
Roll Your Identity
by Megara Bell and Jessica Pedrick, MEd

ALPHABET SOUP
Labels and Identity
by Kelly Jean Gainor, MEd

GENDERBANDS
by Elizabeth Gilbertson Diamond, MEd, MS

WHO YOU LIKE AND WHO YOU LOVE
What It Means to Be LGBTQ
by Steve Brown, PsyD and Karen Rayne, PhD

BREAKING IT DOWN
Gender and Sexuality Exposed
by Catherine J. Massey, PhD

NORMS, EXPECTATIONS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
by Raimi Marx, MA, Meghan Guptill, MPH, Sarah Trieweiler, MA, and Hailey Alm

ON BECOMING
LGB Identity Development
by Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

EITHER … OR?
Learning about Bisexuality
by Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

WHAT’S YOUR BI-Q?
by Terri Clark, MPH

ALL ACES
An Introduction to Asexuality
by Lyndsay Mercier, MEd


Section 2
INSIDE RELATIONSHIPS

OPENING CLOSET DOORS
by Jennifer A. Vencill, PhD and Alison M. LaFollette, PhD

FAMILY FLUSH
by Shadeen Francis, LMFT

BUILDING BRIDGES
by Wesley K. Thomas, MPH and Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

LGBTQA+ HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
by Kelly Jean Gainor, MEd

DATING BISEXUALLY
by Karen Rayne, PhD

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS FOR ALL
by Bill Taverner, MA, CSE and Sue Montfort, MAT, CHES®

EXTRA CHALLENGES
Love in LGBTQ+ Relationships
by Adam Maurer, MA, LMFT, LPC

E-FLIRTING
Looking at Gender, Sexual Orientation, Risk, and More
by Carolyn Cooperman, MA, MSW

WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE
An LGBTQ Speaker
by Steve Brown, PsyD and Karen Rayne, PhD

ENGAGING GENERATION Z IN PEER ADVOCACY
Facilitating an Inclusive School Environment for LGBTQIA Adolescents through Project-Based Learning
by Hannah P. Catalano, PhD, MCHES®, Christine L. Hackman, PhD, and Sarah E. Rush, PhD

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND TRANSITIONING
by Tim R. Johnston, PhD


Section 3
HEALTH

WHAT’S STIGMA GOT TO DO WITH IT?
by Rebecca Shemesh, PhD and Shanna M. Dusablon Drone, MSW, MAEd, MAEd, MEd

THE BIG IF
by Peggy Brick, MEd

IF YOU CAN’T TRUST THE DOCTOR, WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
by Rebecca Shemesh, PhD and Shanna M. Dusablon Drone, MSW, MAEd, MAEd, MEd

ADDING SILVER TO THE RAINBOW
Aging and the LGBT Community
by Terri Clark, MPH

TOWARD A QUEER-INCLUSIVE MODEL OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
by Monique D. Walker, PhD, LMFT and Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
What’s the Connection?
by Kelly Jean Gainor, MEd

QUEER AND TRANS PEOPLE HAVING BABIES
by Jenni Huntly, CPM and Karen Rayne, PhD

Section 4
THE WORKPLACE

WHO’S AT THE WATER COOLER?
by Catherine Dukes, PhD, MSW and Christopher Moore, LSSGB

OUT AT WORK
by Kristen Lilla, MSW, LCSW, CST, CSE and Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

ASKING AND TELLING
Uncovering the Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Servicepeople
by Lexx Brown-James, PhD, LMFT, CSE

INCARCERATION AND HOMOPHOBIA
Time to Unlock These Oppressive Systems
by Shanna M. Dusablon Drone, MSW, MAEd, MAEd, MEd


Section 5
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AROUND THE GLOBE
by Lorena Olvera-Moreno, PhD

LEARNING ABOUT THE B IN LGBT
by Terri Clark, MPH

THE BI-LINE
by Terri Clark, MPH

QUEER JEOPARDY
by Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

BISEXUALITY
Cultural and Individual Variations
by Marcus C. Tye, PhD

BEYOND BINARIES
Bisexuality and Spirituality
by Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey, MDiv

RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
by Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey, MDiv and Rev. Debra W. Haffner, DMin

UNDERSTANDING LGBTQ ELDERS
by Ginger C. Meyette, PhD, MSW, LISW

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND … HUSBAND?
by Consuelo Bonillas, PhD

FROM STONEWALL TO TODAY
Unpacking Histories of Violence
by Kim Comatas, Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD, and Bill Taverner, MA, CSE

MY MOM’S A CAT
by Kristen Lilla, MSW, LCSW, CST, CSE and Christian Hoeger, MA, EdM, LMHP

THE VERACITY OF COMING OUT
by Bianca I. Laureano, MA, CSE, Aiesha Turman, PhD, and Kaara Kallen

WHAT’S THE REAL DEAL ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION?
by Bianca I. Laureano, MA, CSE and Kaara Kallen

BI, BI LOVE
Bisexuality, Music Literacy, and Healthy Relationships

by Bill Taverner, MA, CSE

BI THE WAY …
Learning about Famous Bisexual People
by Bill Taverner, MA, CSE

STAND BI FOR THIS NEXT REPORT
Media Portrayals of Bisexuality
by Bill Taverner, MA, CSE


Section 6
SOCIAL JUSTICE

DON’T CALL ME THAT
Using Language to Combat Homophobia and Biphobia
by Kristen Lilla, MSW, LCSW, CST, CSE and Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

THE WAYS TO BE A BETTER ALLY
by Sam Killermann and Meg Bolger, MA

USING RADICAL LOVE AND THE ALLYSHIP TRIFECTA TO CHANGE THE WORLD
by Aida Manduley, LCSW

UNPACKING HETEROSEXUAL PRIVILEGE
by Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
by Kelly Gainor, MEd

GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
Teaching with the “It Gets Better” Videos
by Bill Taverner, MA, CSE

Each volume includes a 16-page annotated supplemental section with organizations, publishers, books, films, blogs, magazines, podcasts and online videos, Facebook communities, Twitter handles, and hashtags.

Editors
Terri Clark, MPH
Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD
Karen Rayne, PhD

Managing Editor
Bill Taverner, MA, CSE

Preface by
Vivienne Cass, PhD, MPsych, Teach Cert, FAPS (Clinical)

Authors
Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey, MDiv
Hailey Alm
Megara Bell
Meg Bolger, MA
Consuelo Bonillas, PhD
Peggy Brick, MEd
Steve Brown, PsyD
Lexx Brown-James, PhD, LMFT, CSE
Hannah P. Catalano, PhD, MCHES®
Terri Clark, MPH
Carolyn Cooperman, MA, MSW
Kim Comatas
Elizabeth Gilbertson Diamond, MEd, MS
Catherine Dukes, PhD, MSW
Shanna M. Dusablon Drone, MSW, MAEd, MAEd, MEd Shadeen Francis, LMFT
Kelly Jean Gainor, MEd
Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD
Meghan Guptill, MPH
Christine L. Hackman, PhD
Rev. Debra W. Haffner, DMin
Christian Hoeger, MA, EdM, LMHP
Jenni Huntly, CPM
Tim R. Johnston, PhD
Kaara Kallen
Sam Killermann
Alison M. LaFollette, PhD
Bianca I. Laureano, MA, CSE
Kristen Lilla, MSW, LCSW, CST, CSE
Aida Manduley, LCSW
Raimi Marx, MA
Catherine J. Massey, PhD
Adam Maurer, MA, LMFT, LPC
Lyndsay Mercier, MEd
Ginger C. Meyette, PhD, MSW, LISW
Sue Montfort, MAT, CHES®
Christopher Moore, LSSGB
Lorena Olvera-Moreno, PhD
Jessica Pedrick, MEd
Karen Rayne, PhD
Deborah M. Roffman, MS
Sarah E. Rush, PhD
Rebecca Shemesh, PhD
Bill Taverner, MA, CSE
Wesley K. Thomas, MPH
Sarah Trieweiler, MA
Aiesha Turman, PhD
Marcus C. Tye, PhD
Jennifer A. Vencill, PhD
Monique D. Walker, PhD, LMFT

“Orientation is a much-needed resource! This body of work has some of the most brilliant minds in the field of sexuality education. The lessons are incredibly user-friendly and focus on a variety of topics in and around sexual orientation. I commend the contributors for incorporating multiple theories and, more importantly, intentionally highlighting intersectionality. A definite step in the right (inclusive) direction, Orientation is shimmy-worthy.”
Cindy Lee Alves, MEd, Sexologist, Women of Color Sexual Health Network

Orientation is groundbreaking. It addresses issues never before covered in a sex education manual. From highlighting the importance of creating safe space in the workplace, or the invisibility of bisexuality, to how to handle the holidays as an LGBTQ-identified person, this manual has it all. “Basics,” “Inside Relationships,” “Health,” “The Workplace,” “Cultural Perspectives,” and “Social Justice” are all types of lessons an educator can explore with audiences from teens to older adults. These facets of education, attitude-exploring, and skill-building are setting the bar high for all future sex ed curricula. Well done!”
Catherine Dukes, PhD, MSW, Psychotherapist

“We have waited for a long time for a manual such as Orientation for the education of our society. I think it is appropriate to be used by sexuality education classes in a variety of settings. To change attitudes about what constitutes healthy sexuality requires education, education, education!”
Joycelyn Elders, MD, 15th U.S. Surgeon General

“I am thrilled this (very thorough) manual has been created and know it will be very beneficial to creating a more just society for our communities. I especially appreciate the inclusion of intersectionality, power/privilege, and trauma-informed education. Great job.”
Elicia Gonzales, LCSW, MEd, Sexual and gender justice advocate

“The richness, significance, and value of this admittedly huge and unprecedented resource cannot be overstated! This collection, gathered from experts in sexuality education in all its incarnations, offers lesson plans that are eminently teachable. The plans possess achievable objectives and are designed to reach those objectives with creative activities and the provision of profound and often difficult-to-find information, and frequently include one of the essential elements of effective teaching – fun. I want to facilitate them all! These lessons will be an important addition to the repertoire of many sexuality educators and trainers, whether in academic or professional settings. Students fortunate enough to experience these lessons may well fulfill the hope expressed by one of the co-editors in the introduction to this manual: discovering, expanding and more effectively demonstrating their own compassion towards the LGBTQ individuals in their lives. Hooray for this marvelous manual!”
Joan Garrity, Principal, Garrity Health Consulting & Training

Orientation is nothing short of brilliant. This set of lesson plans goes where no curriculum has gone before, delving deep into LGBTQQAAIIP, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender norms and gender roles. It touches upon today’s relevant topics leaving no stone unturned.

It is past time to realistically address attitudes, beliefs and social norms as related to the LGBTQQAAIIP community with respect to the many realities (e.g., military, workplace, prison system, etc.) that people experience. Making meaning of orientation, identity and roles is more than using the correct pronoun. This text arms educators with the necessary tools to help the audience do the work; to dive deep into the constructs that have erroneously created realities and therefore misunderstanding and phobias. The authors and the contributors should be applauded for sharing their work. I thank them for so many things, particularly for the culturally inclusive examples (more than just ethnic names). Thank you for being brave enough to do the work.”
Monique Howard, EdD, MPH, Executive Director, WOAR – Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence

“Wow! So many excellent lessons to choose from. It will be hard to select just ONE, so hopefully many lessons may be used with students.”
Konstance McCaffree, PhD, Independent sexuality education consultant

“This most valuable, comprehensive collection of exercises, designed to enable others to better understand the many facets of sexual orientation and gender authenticity, reflects years and years of thoughtful study and practice. These lessons effectively enable others to feel competent and confident in addressing LGBTQ issues.”
Brian McNaught, Author and educator, “The godfather of gay diversity training,” The New York Times

Orientation is a must-have, much-needed resource that fills a void in sexual education curricula, which has historically focused on cisgender heteronormative behavior. In general, Orientation moves away from the binaries associated with sexual and gender identity and examines the continuums on which they operate, while acknowledging the fluidity of both sexual and gender identity. Orientation also has numerous lessons on bisexuality –  often a forgotten component in the discussion of LGBTQ identities — that address the stigma and stereotypical thoughts often associated with individuals who identify as bisexual; those lessons reinforce bisexuality as a sexual identity. The exercises/games are useful and reinforce the learning objectives in a fun manner. This highly valuable resource should be a part of all sexual education programs.”
Melissa Perkins, MEd, MPPM, LGBTQ cultural competency trainer

“I am simply blown away by the depth, sophistication, and comprehensiveness of what you’ve put together in Orientation. My heartfelt congratulations to the editors, and to all the contributing authors.”
Deborah M. Roffman, MS, Author, Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ “Go-To” Person about Sex

“This is an impressive collection of educational activities useful to address sexual orientation with adolescents and adults. The number of proposed activities is large enough to satisfy the needs of a great variety of audiences, which is an important strength of the manuscript. The value of this collection will be slowly appreciated by sexuality educators as they become acquainted with the great variety of techniques offered. The introduction, which addresses the general principles of sexuality education, is also of great value. I want to congratulate the editors and The Center for Sex Education for producing this important resource.”
Eusebio Rubio-Aurioles, MD, PhD, Director, Asociación Mexicana para la Salud Sexual, A.C.

“This manual is what many educators, whether in K-12 or higher education and other non-profit settings, have been looking for in teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity for years. This access to information is vitally important for young people, whose identities are consistently contested and erased within traditional educational settings. A practical and comprehensive guide, it gives teachers the tools needed to effectively dispel myths, separate often-conflated concepts and address real-world issues impacting people every day. As language changes and young people display more-authentic expressions of their gender and sexuality, educators need a resource to help keep them up to date and accessible to the people they are working with. Along with the 101-style introduction to key concepts, Orientation also brings educators and students to tackle the more complex shades of nuance that make up gender and sexuality, allowing more room for us all to explore this terrain in needed ways. This volume allows both educators and students a chance to use common language in an ever-shifting landscape and is an essential tool for helping all people find their most fulfilled selves.”
Elliot Ruggles, LCSW, PhD, SHARE (Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources and Education) Advocate, Brown University

“Finally, a resource that puts the focus squarely on sexual orientation in a purposeful, thorough, and thoughtful way! These lessons demonstrate the richness and diversity within the general category of sexual orientation. Their scope is both wide and deep. I look forward to using these lessons in my classrooms and recommending this resource to anyone wanting to do a better job teaching about this important topic.”
Al Vernacchio, MSEd, Educator, speaker, and author of For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Teens About Sexuality, Values, and Health

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Orientation: Teaching about Identity, Attraction, and Behavior

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