Dealing with homophobia is something that society must overcome. Laurie Crumpacker and Eleanor Haegan have created several ideas to try to lessen the occurrance of homophobia in classrooms especially, but which also should be used outside of classrooms to inform other people.
• Comfortable classroom atmosphere- a place where a student feels safe enough to be able to express their views.• Defined vocabulary- make sure that students know what words means so they do not abuse them or misinterpret them.
• Use a journal- a journal helps a student to express what they are feeling in a moreconfidential way. In addition they can release their thoughts easier and maybe understand their thoughts more. (Crumpacker and Haegan- i.e. write about your first perception when you find out that someone you know well is a lesbian or gay man. pg.99)
• Role playing- students that are involved in role playing know how an individual may feel whether they are playing the part of the homosexual or the heterosexual individual. This decreases the instances of homophobia from occurring and allows a student to be able to handle a situation that is similar if one does occur.