2026 DEHR Conference

Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others of diverse gender and sexualities (2SLGBTQIA+) continue to face discrimination in school settings, especially in Catholic schools. Special intolerance toward gender and sexual minority groups in Catholic schools could be due to the church’s decree to “love the sinner, hate the sin,” which is untenable for many Catholic students and teachers. As they struggle with how to respond to 2SLGBTQIA+ people in their schools, Catholic education leaders tend to abandon the tradition of Catholic teaching involving justice for the weakest and turn instead for guidance to the formidable canonical law on the topic of homosexuality and gender identity. In so doing, they also disregard secular human rights legislation in their jurisdictions. How can teachers, students, and policymakers work together to eliminate oppression of gender and sexual minority groups?

An exploration of the many approaches to allyship from difficult to navigate environments to schools filled with rainbows. It isn't always about the symbols on the walls; it's about the professional in the room.