The Human Right Foundation's Welcoming Schools program is continuously working with educators, schools, school districts and youth-serving professionals to ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for LGBTQ+ students and their families.

Hear from LGBTQ+ children and children of LGBTQ+ parents talk about how they can best be supported in education:

HELP PROTECT LGBTQ+ STUDENTS IN SCHOOL

Here is how you can help push back against discrimination and harrassment:

All students — no matter their background, sexual orientation or gender identity — deserve to feel safe and welcomed in schools. No student should experience discrimination or harassment in the classroom.

If you or someone you know has experienced harassment or discrimination in school on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, a complaint can be filed with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Know that bullying is often a form of harassment.

Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education recently released a proposed regulation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that protects students from discrimination in federally-funded educational activities and programs. Show your support for the regulation by submitting a public comment. To do so:

1. Go to the public comment submission page here.

2. Review this tip sheet on how to craft an effective comment.

3. Submit your comment for review.

4. Share this page with others and encourage them to do the same.

HRC and HRC Foundation strongly believe in the value of a quality education. LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges as they navigate honoring their identities in classroom settings. As part of our "Back To School As You Are" campaign, we’ve compiled several resources to help LGBTQ+ students excel at their studies while living authentically and to help their educators and parents/guardians create affirming and inclusive spaces for them.

Our new educators’ toolkit is designed to help all educators be supportive, inclusive and affirming of their LGBTQ+ students. It includes booklists, guides, videos and glossaries to help create positive learning environments for all students!

To fully support LGBTQ+ youth, and the entire LGBTQ+ community, join us in advocating for the passing of the Equality Act, which will finally provide consistent, explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people while establishing structural change for our community.