Lindz Amer: Advocating for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Schools

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Ask A Queer Educator

Teaching While Queer: Season 2, Episode 8
Ever wish you had a clear, accessible resource to navigate the complexities of gender and sexuality when you were just a kid? Meet Lindz Amer (they/them), a creator, author, educator, activist, and performer, who is changing the narrative with their ground-breaking web series, Queer Kids Stuff. Designed for preschoolers, it embodies the essence of Mr Rogers meeting Queer Theory 101, providing young minds a safe and welcoming environment to learn about gender and sexuality.
Our candid conversation with Lindz takes you on a journey through their own discovery of queerness, the challenges they faced, and their transformation into the multi-talented personality they are today. Lindz shares their experiences growing up, discussing the pressures of societal gender expectations, and how their experiences have fueled their passion for creating resources for the next generation. They also speak about the impact of their experiences at summer camp on their gender identity, and how this led to the creation of Queer Kids Stuff.
We wrap up our discussion by focusing on the importance of mental health and LGBTQ+ inclusion in educational spaces. Lindz emphasizes the necessity for self-care among educators and advocates for a more inclusive school environment. We delve into the lack of representation and research in LGBTQ+ education, and the harm caused by the demonization of queer sex. This episode offers a rich exploration of queer identity, representation, and inclusion, offering valuable insights for educators, parents, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of gender and sexuality.
Rainbow Parenting by Lindz Amer:
https://bookshop.org/shop/teachingwhilequeer
Queer Kids Stuff:
www.queerkidsstuff.com

Support the Show.

Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram at @TeachingWhileQueer.
You can find host, Bryan Stanton, on Instagram.
Support the podcast by becoming a subscriber. For information click here.
The podcast explores the challenges and successes of LGBTQ representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Chapter

1. Lindz Amer: Advocating for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Schools (00:00:00)

2. Teaching While Queer (00:00:05)

3. Parenting's Influence on Art and Identity (00:04:21)

4. LGBTQ+ Childhood Experiences (00:10:15)

5. Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Inclusion (00:26:56)

6. Research & Representation in LGBTQ+ Education (00:43:01)