Post submitted by Harry Hawkins, Field Organizer HRC Mississippi

Last month, HRC Mississippi joined a “Respect” training with the Mississippi Department of Education as part of the American Psychological Association’s Safe and Supportive Schools program. The training aims to promote healthy choices and prevent health risks for LGBTQ youth, no matter who they are or whom they love.

Educators from across the state attended the training, learning best practices for serving their LGBTQ students and sharing resources to improve their cultural competency. Many of these educators came from very rural and conservative areas of the state and it was encouraging to meet and interact with educators who are interested in establishing safe spaces for their LGBTQ students.

The training gave us a chance to discuss the LGBTQ advocacy work that HRC Mississippi does throughout the state. It was also a chance for us to educate attendees on our Welcoming Schools program. HRC's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools in embracing family diversity, creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying, creating gender-expansive schools, and supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students.

HRC Mississippi was grateful to be a part of this wonderful training and looks forward to working with more educators to help support LGBTQ youth in the future.