Our research providing evidence and learnings for enhanced LGBTQ+ inclusion in (arts) education
Our mixed-methods research across the four participating European institutions provides evidence for effective enhancement for inclusion within a schoolsystem
Three-wave longitudinal survey design measuring changes in attitudes, knowledge, and school climate.
In-depth exploration of experiences, barriers, and mechanisms of change.
Two external experts provided independent evaluation of curriculum and research:
University of Leeds, UK | Expert in LGBTQ+ education and school climate
"Methodologically sound with appropriate mixed-methods design. The musical theater approach is innovative and well-justified."
Former Chair, COC Netherlands | LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate
"Addresses a critical gap in VET education. The emphasis on safety and student agency is commendable."
Dr. Kaufman delivered a masterclass on February 26, 2024 at Lentiz Floracollege for The Musical Connection project, sharing research insights on:
Dr. Kaufman's research examined sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions among Dutch SGM (sexual and gender minority) youth through two daily diary studies:
N=90 participants
Average age: 17.64 years
N=393 participants
Average age: 18.36 years
Types of Microaggressions Identified:
Why This Matters for TMC: This research provides the empirical foundation for The Musical Connection's approach. By understanding the daily microaggressions SGM youth face, we designed interventions (like musical theater pedagogy) that create safe distance, build empathy, and reduce these harmful experiences.
The Genderbread Person Model: Understanding Gender as a Spectrum
The Musical Connection uses the Genderbread Person model to help educators and students understand gender as a spectrum rather than a binary. This visual tool breaks down the complex, diverse, and fluid nature of gender into four interconnected continuums.
🧑 Interactive Genderbread Person Resource
Explore Interactive Model →How you identify internally
Male, female, combination of both, or neither (non-binary). This is your personal and internal sense of self.
How you present externally
Behavior, clothing, mannerisms, voice. Can vary regardless of assigned sex at birth. Fluid and contextual.
Physical characteristics
Chromosomes, hormones, reproductive organs. Not strictly binary—intersex individuals exist. Complex spectrum of characteristics.
Who you're drawn to
Heterosexual to homosexual spectrum. Bisexual, pansexual, asexual orientations. Romantic vs. sexual attraction can differ.
Use the Genderbread Person as:
Educator Tip: Start with the Genderbread Person before diving into musical theater exercises. It gives students a common language and framework for understanding the identities they'll be exploring through performance.
Students showed substantial increases in LGBTQ+ knowledge across all measurement points.
Method: 20-item knowledge test, administered at all three time points (n=847)
Musical theater approach significantly increased empathy and positive attitudes toward LGBTQ+ peers.
Method: Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) + custom LGBTQ+ attitude scale, quasi-experimental comparison
LGBTQ+ students reported feeling significantly safer and more included after curriculum implementation.
Method: School Climate Survey (adapted from GLSEN), incident reports, student interviews (n=42)
Educators reported greater confidence and competence in teaching LGBTQ+ content after using the curriculum.
Method: Teacher surveys (n=38), focus groups (n=18), implementation journals
| Outcome Variable | Baseline Mean (SD) | Final Mean (SD) | Effect Size (Cohen's d) | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LGBTQ+ Knowledge | 12.3 (3.4) | 17.5 (2.8) | 1.67 | < .001 |
| Empathy (TEQ) | 42.1 (8.2) | 51.3 (7.5) | 1.18 | < .001 |
| Inclusive Attitudes | 3.4 (1.1) | 4.2 (0.9) | 0.81 | < .001 |
| Perceived Safety (LGBTQ+) | 2.8 (1.3) | 4.1 (1.0) | 1.12 | < .001 |
| Allyship Intentions | 3.1 (1.2) | 4.3 (0.8) | 1.19 | < .001 |
All effect sizes are considered large (d > 0.8) by Cohen's standards, indicating substantial practical significance beyond statistical significance.
Scales: Knowledge (0-20), TEQ (0-64), Attitudes & Safety (1-5 Likert), Allyship (1-5 Likert)
Students and teachers highlighted how musical theater created emotional distance that made sensitive topics approachable.
"I could explore being gay through my character without feeling like I was being judged personally. It was liberating." — Student, 18
"Students who usually shut down during LGBTQ+ discussions were fully engaged when we did theater exercises." — Teacher
Physically embodying different identities through movement and voice fostered deeper empathy than discussion alone.
"When I had to perform as a trans character, I really had to think about what that experience would feel like." — Student, 19
"Musical theater forces you to step into someone else's shoes—literally and metaphorically." — Teacher
Collaborative performance projects created bonds across differences and reduced social fragmentation.
"Working on the musical together, we became a real team. Didn't matter who was LGBTQ+ or straight." — Student, 17
"The performance created a shared experience that transcended individual differences." — School Leader
LGBTQ+ students felt validated seeing their experiences represented in curriculum and performance.
"For the first time in school, I saw stories like mine. It made me feel like I existed, like I mattered." — Student, 20
"Representation isn't just nice to have—it's essential for LGBTQ+ student wellbeing." — Teacher
"Musical Theater as Pedagogy for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Vocational Education: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation"
Journal of LGBTQ Youth (under review, 2025)
"The Musical Connection: Evidence-Based Approaches to LGBTQ+ Inclusion in European VET"
European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), August 2024
"Creating Inclusive VET Institutions: Lessons from The Musical Connection Project"
Erasmus+ Dissemination Platform, 2025
"The Musical Connection Final Report: Comprehensive evaluation of curriculum implementation across four partner institutions"
Available via Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, October 2025
All research outputs are made available under open access licenses. Data can be requested for academic research purposes (anonymized to protect participant confidentiality).
We support open science and data sharing. Anonymized datasets, code books, analysis scripts, and supplementary materials available for qualified researchers.
Access research summaries, infographics, and practice-focused briefings designed for non-academic audiences.
Request data access, explore collaborations, or learn more about our research methodology.