A study was conducted to see if a school-based sexual health education program called High School FLASH could reduce homophobia and transphobia while also preventing unintended pregnancy and STIs. The study assessed the program’s impact on 20 schools in the Midwest and South of the United States. LGBTQ students are frequently subjected to discrimination and victimization at school, which has a negative impact on their academic and mental health outcomes. By providing inclusive curricula that affirm all identities and orientations, schools can help to create safe and inclusive environments for all students. Even curricula that claim to be inclusive may not accurately represent LGBTQ people.
FLASH employs a systematic approach to instill inclusivity throughout the curriculum by providing visibility, normalizing a diverse range of identities, portraying LGBTQ individuals in positive situations, and employing nuanced language. It was discovered that the program reduced homophobic and transphobic beliefs in both straight cisgender and LGBTQ students. The decrease in prejudice among straight cisgender students reflects an improvement in how they perceive LGBTQ peers, potentially leading to a better school climate. FLASH is the first evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program to address prejudice against LGBTQ people.
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Hsin-Yu Huang