LGBTQ+ Students Deserve Safe and Supportive Schools with Chris Records of Equality California
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, both parents and students have been asked to shoulder extraordinary burdens. Now, as students return to virtual school environments, those burdens may be even greater, perhaps especially for LGBTQ+ students and their parents. Please know, though, that there are some resources and safeguards in place that you can draw on during this time and whenever school reconvenes for in-person instruction.
Ample research shows that LGBTQ+ young people who build and maintain strong, healthy friendships with other LGBTQ+ young people are less likely to experience depression, anxiety and other negative outcomes. Obviously, with school campuses closed, this has become more difficult, but there is still plenty that can be done. Digital spaces for LGBTQ+ young people –– such as those hosted by organizations like Gender Spectrum and Q Chat Space –– can be beneficial, as can creating those spaces yourselves, in partnership with other parents and teachers. This is also a great time to take the opportunity to share LGBTQ+- themed films and books with your children.
Also, keep in mind that there are a wide array of laws and protections in place for LGBTQ+ students that still apply, whether instruction is going on virtually or in person. Schools are obligated to ensure equal access to programs and facilities for students regardless of their gender identity (AB 1266, 2013); to put in place and enforce anti-bullying policies (AB 9, 2011); and to acknowledge the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans in social science curriculum (SB 48, 2011). Organizations such as Equality California and GLSEN can provide more information on these and other laws to you and to your schools, by request.
I am also happy to directly connect to any parent or school district that is interested in some of the other resources that exist to better support LGBTQ+ young people in schools, and to connect teachers and school personnel to relevant training that can help them better understand some of the challenges that queer students are facing at this time. Please do reach out and email me if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further.
In 2016, Equality California Institute (EQCAI) convened an advisory board made up of diverse community partners (including LGBTQ+ advocates, educators, and California teachers’ unions) to create a survey measuring California school districts’ compliance with legislation designed to support LGBTQ+ students. We collated district responses in our “Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card,” a publicly available resource which provides clear guidelines for districts seeking to improve school climate and serves as a valuable tool for community members to advocate in their districts for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. EQCAI has now entered the next phase of the program, convening student and parent advocacy groups in strategic locations across California to empower students and community allies to self-advocate for improved policies in their districts, and undertaking extensive communication efforts to disseminate report findings to teachers, parents, and students. In the next 2 years, we plan to execute and publish a second edition of our Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card, which will measure the progress school districts are making in achieving safe and supportive learning environments.
Click here to see how your school district is performing for LGBTQ+ Students
About Chris Records:
Chris Records (he/him) is a Program Manager at Equality California Institute, with responsibility for EQCAI's education programs. Prior to joining EQCAI, he was a high school special education teacher and GSA advisor. He has also worked for various school districts and non-profits as a consultant, project manager, grant writer, and community organizer. You can contact him at chris@eqca.org.