Post submitted by Kimmie Fink, Welcoming Schools Consultant

HRC and its Welcoming Schools program are gearing up to mark the third anniversary of the groundbreaking Mt. Horeb, WI, reading of I Am Jazz with our National I Am Jazz School and Community Reading Day on December 7. Across the country, parents, educators and community members will come together in support of transgender and non-binary youth -- and you can be a part of it.

We invite all advocates and allies to sign up to host an I Am Jazz event in their community, whether in a school, a library, or even your living room. Make the pledge here and we will send you HRC’s I Am Jazz event Organizing Kit. You can count on our support with resources, tips, checklists and more. If interested, HRC will help promote your event among HRC members and supporters in your area.

According to HRC’s groundbreaking post-election survey of more than 50,000 young people ages 13-18, about half of transgender youth reported feeling hopeless and worthless most or all of the time, and 70 percent said that these and similar feelings have increased in the past 30 days. Thirty-six percent had been personally bullied or harassed, and 56 percent had changed their self-expression or future plans because of the election.

At a time when transgender and non-binary youth are increasingly marginalized, you can do something something today to make a difference. Join us as we show up in force with love and support for our nation’s youth. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to promote understanding and inclusion. Sign up now!

HRC's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to welcome diverse families, create LGBTQ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, support transgender and non-binary students.