Policies, Guides and Rights
A Parent’s Quick Guide for In-School Transitions
This guide supports parents and caregivers navigating the process of in-school social transition with their child and their child’s school. The guide is intended to offer a quick reference for parents through the process, in a step-by-step manner.
School Gender Support Plan Template
This is a widely used, excellent gender plan template. Complete this as best you can, then take it in with you when meeting with the principal and school counselor at the beginning of the year (or whenever your child comes out/socially transitions at school). It will help with clear communication, school accountability and can help avoid humiliating experiences for your child.
Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals.
Our program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. We uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.
Gender Diversity: Best Practices for Schools
Gender Diversity can help your school provide a supportive, non-discriminatory environment for all students, including gender diverse and transgender children. We help administrators, teachers, and staff gently move from awareness to action in order to create more inclusive learning and social environments.
We went through a remarkable process of transformation as a result of our work with Gender Diversity. Aidan’s unrelenting compassion for everyone, his inviting and even tone, and his deep knowledge were instrumental in moving our entire community forward to best serve our students.
Growing Up Trans (PBS Frontline)
In Growing Up Trans, FRONTLINE takes viewers on an intimate and eye-opening journey inside the struggles and choices facing transgender kids and their families.
Link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/growing-up-trans/
Know Your Rights - Schools
Do you know the law says…
- You have the right to be treated according to your gender identity. That’s true even if you haven’t done things like changing your ID or getting medical treatment, and your school cannot require you to show proof of these things in order to have your gender respected.
- You have the right to be called by the name and pronouns that match your gender identity. Sometimes people make an honest mistake, but teachers and school staff aren’t allowed to call you by the wrong name or pronouns on purpose even after you tell them how you want to be called.
Find out more here: https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/schools
Model Local Education Agency Policy On Transgender And Nonbinary Students
GLSEN and National Center for Transgender Equality offers model school policies including:
- Nondiscrimination Policies
- Privacy and Confidentiality
- Media and Public Communications
- Names, Parent/Guardian Notification, School Records and Pronouns
- School Facilities
- Physical Education, Sports and Extracurricular Activities
- Dress Code
- Training and Professional Development
- Notify and Engage K-12 Learning Communities on Policies to Support Transgender and Nonbinary Students
- Terms and Definitions
Risks of Withholding Medical Treatment for Adolescents
AVA’s Statement on Gender-affirming Care for Children and Adolescents:
Refusing timely medical interventions for adolescents might prolong gender dysphoria and contribute to an appearance that could provoke abuse and stigmatization. As the level of gender-related abuse is strongly associated with the degree of psychiatric distress during adolescence, withholding puberty suppression and subsequent feminizing or masculinizing hormone therapy is not a neutral option for adolescents.
Supporting Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students (GLESN webinar)
According to GLSEN research, compared to other students in the LGBTQ community, transgender and gender nonconforming students face more hostile school climates. To learn more, see GLSEN’s full research report and webinar on trans student experiences, and our report on trans students and school facilities, co-authored with Movement Advancement Project.
As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more.
We conduct extensive and original research to inform our evidence-based solutions for K-12 education.
Link: https://www.glsen.org/supporting-trans-and-gnc-students
Schools In Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools
Gender Spectrum is a national organization committed to the health and well-being of gender- diverse children and teens through education and support for families, and training and guidance for educators, medical and mental health providers, and other professionals.
We regularly host educational events for both young people and parents. And our Annual Conference is one of the oldest conferences for and about transgender youth and their families in the United States.
Link: https://www.genderspectrum.org/articles/understanding-gender
Article Link: https://www.genderspectrum.org/articles/schools-in-transition
Washington Office of Superintendent Gender-Inclusive Schools
Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of gender expression and gender identity in Washington public schools. All students have the rights to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school.
Washington public schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender and gender-expansive students. Bullying or harassment that targets a student based on their gender identity or gender expression is discriminatory harassment. Schools must take steps to protect students from discriminatory harassment and must investigate possible harassment as soon as they know or reasonably should know about it, even if a parent or student does not file a formal complaint.
Link: http://www.k12.wa.us/Equity/GenderIdentity/default.aspx