Resources

For an auditory introduction to our project, purpose, and recommended safe school strategies, check out Meg Bishop’s “Promoting School Safety for LGBTQ+ Youth” presentation.

Inclusive, Enumerated Policies:

• What is enumeration and what does the research say?
  • Check out GLSEN’s brief about enumeration and why it matters.
  • This infobrief by the CDC also talks about the research on enumeration and its impacts on LGBTQ youth.

• Which states have passed enumerated anti-bullying laws?
  • There are 21 states plus the District of Columbia that have anti-bullying laws which specifically protect students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Check out this map by GLSEN and this one by the Movement Advancement Project to see if your state is one of them!

• What are some examples of enumerated policies that I can use to model policies at my own school?
  • District of Columbia Public Schools has an inclusive, enumerated bullying prevention policy, a transgender and gender-nonconforming policy guide, and even a policy for overnight accommodations for field trips.
  • San Francisco Unified School District extends rules prohibiting gender-based discrimination and harassment specifically to transgender and gender-nonconforming students, including guidance on restroom and locker accessibility, dress codes, sports, and gym class. According to Equality California, SFUSD schools also recognize days of special significance to the LGBTQ community (e.g., Pride Month, Day of Silence, National Coming Out Day, Harvey Milk Day).

• How do I bring enumerated policies to my school district?
  • GLSEN has some helpful tools!

• Are there any federal or state laws that protect LGBTQ students?
  • Yes, there are many! Title IX is probably the most widely known, but the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has an overview of all the laws and agencies supporting safe schools.

School Personnel Support and Training:

• How common is LGBTQ-specific teacher training and what are the obstacles?
  • The California Safe Schools Coalition has some answers in this research brief based on their survey of California school districts.

• Are there any free, online teacher trainings?
  • Yes! The University of Southern California Rossier School of Education created “Students and Gender Identity: A Guide for Schools,” a collection of tools and resources to support conversations surrounding gender identity in the classroom
  • Teaching Tolerance offers a variety of professional development materials for educators, including workshops, webinars and podcasts.
• Where can I find pre-made lesson plans for creating a safe school climate for LGBTQ youth?
  • GLSEN has lots of lesson plans on their educator resources page!
  • Teaching Tolerance also has a wide range of classroom resources!
• How do I access in-person teacher training?
  • Check out HRC Welcoming Schools, they provide professional development training for schools and districts.
  • GLSEN is another helpful resource for professional development workshops!
• Policy and Practice Recommendations to Promote Safe Schools for LGBTQ Youth
  • Read our summary on how to include policy in your schooling that works to promote school safety for LGBTQ youth. Written by Meg Bishop

Student Led Clubs (GSAs):

• How do I start a GSA at my school?
  • Check out this step-by-step guide by the ACLU: How to Start a Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Need additional support? GSA Network can help!

• Can my school ban GSAs?
  • The ACLU and GSA Network can help you answer this question.

• What about other student-led organizations and initiatives?
  • GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week is a week organized by K-12 educators and students to end name-calling and bullying in schools.

• What are some other websites that can help with my GSA?
  • Check out this toolkit by the Texas GSA Network!

Access to LGBTQ-Related Resources and Curricula:

• Why are inclusive curricula important?
  • The California Safe Schools Coalition explains: LGBT Issues in the Curriculum Promotes School Safety

• What do inclusive curricula look like?
  • Check out the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Model Curriculum Units

• What are Safe Zone Trainings?
  • The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for LGBTQ awareness and ally training
  • Campus Pride has a great collection of resources to help you develop a Safe Zone training for your school

• LGBTQ-inclusive library resources:
  • Check out these resources courtesy of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  • And this American Library Association toolkit for library staff!

• LGBTQ book awards and book lists:
  • The ALA’s Stonewall Book Awards
  • The Rainbow Book List, an annual bibliography of LGBTQ books for kids and teens
  • The Over the Rainbow Book List

• What are some states doing to promote supportive school climates?
  • Check out the Washington Safe Schools Coalition
  • The California Safe Schools Coalition
  • And the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance

Safe Schools for Transgender Youth:

• What legal rights do transgender students have in schools?
  • The National Center for Transgender Equality has information at the federal level

• How do I share my story to help other transgender students?
  • Check out the TRUTH storytelling campaign by the Transgender Law Center and GSA Network

• What does a supportive transgender school policy look like?
  • Here’s a model policy by District of Columbia Public Schools
  • And another supportive policy by the San Francisco Unified School District