LGBT Youth Resources

Model policies, policy recommendations best practices and additional resources for addressing school safety issues.

Sample policies

• Model District Policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students  
  Comprehensive model policy with additional information and resources for implementation. By the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and National Center for Transgender Equality.
• Policy Brief: Providing a Safe, Nondiscriminatory School Environment for Transgender and Gender-nonconforming Students  
  Developed based on California state law, but provides recommendations that could be implemented in other states. By the California School Board Association.
• Safe at School: Addressing the School Environment and LGBT Safety through Policy and Legislation (PDF, 1.14MB)
  Policy recommendations for creating LGBT-inclusive schools in the areas of school climate, curriculum and school sports. Includes model policy. By the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice, the National Education Policy Center and The Williams Institute.

Resources for policy implementation

• Best Practices: Creating An LGBT-Inclusive School Climate  
  Recommendations for creating an affirming environment and addressing related problems in schools. By Teaching Tolerance. 
  
• Common Roadblocks  (PDF, 86KB) 
  Recommendations for addressing resistance to implementation of school polices to support LGBTQ youth. By Teaching Tolerance.
• Framework for Safe and Successful Schools  
  Policy recommendations and guidance for preventing school violence and crisis situations and fostering a climate that is safe and orderly for all students. By the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
• Guidance for Massachusetts Public Schools: Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment  
  Guidelines for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students in schools. By the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students in schools.
• How Educators Can Support Families With Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Youth: Promoting Resiliency for Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Students in Schools  (PDF, 195KB) 
  Strategies for working with families of LGBTQ youth in a school setting. By the American Psychological Association, Divisions 16 (School Psychology) and 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues).
• Key Terms and Concepts in Understanding Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation Among Students  (PDF, 193KB) 
  Glossary of terms relevant to working with LGBTQ students in schools. By the American Psychological Association, Divisions 16 and 44. 
• Position Statement on Safe Schools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students  (PDF, 140KB) 
  By the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
• School-Based Risk and Protective Factors for Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Children and Youth: Improving School Climate  (PDF, 115KB) 
  Includes research on school climate and strategies for fostering a supportive environment. By the American Psychological Association, Divisions 16 and 44.
• Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Policy Guidance  (PDF, 2.5MB) 
  Comprehensive policy guidance for supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming students in school. Includes models and exemplars for support documents (e.g. a plan for supporting student who is transitioning). By the District of Columbia Public School.

Information about existing legal and policy protections for LGBTQ and other students regarding privacy issues as well as other challenges LGBTQ youth experience in schools such as rights associated with Gay-Straight Alliances, bringing same-gender partners to school dances and dress codes.

• Know Your Rights: Schools  
  Legal rights for transgender and gender nonconforming students. By the National Center for Transgender Equality.

• Know Your Rights: The law and LGBTQ youth 
  Legal protections for LGBTQ youth By Lambda Legal.

• LGBT Youth
  Legal protections for LGBTQ students by topic; written for a youth audience, but provides information useful for school staff advocating on behalf of LGBTQ youth as well. By the American Civil Liberties Union.

• Students: Know Your Rights 
  Legal protections for LGBTQ students by topic. By the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Information about existing data collection efforts regarding LGBTQ youth as well as tools for including sexual orientation and gender identity in school-based surveys.

• CDC Publishes First National Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual High School Students’ Health
  APA Public Interest blog article describes the CDC data and provides recommendations for educators and parents.
• LGBTQ Youth Programs-at-a-Glance  
  Includes information about data collection efforts through the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Resources for Adding Sexuality and Gender Items to State and Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveys  
  Includes answers to frequently asked questions for including sexual orientation and gender expression items on youth population surveys. By Advocates for Youth.
• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System  
  Provides information about the YRBSS. By the CDC. 

Resources for bullying prevention and intervention:

• Bullying: How Parents, Teachers and Kids Can Take Action to Prevent Bullying  
  Information about bullying and tips for parents, teachers, school administrators and students for prevention. By the American Psychological Association.
  
• Bullying: What Parents and Teachers Can Do to Stop It  
   APA question and answer session with Susan Swearer, PhD, Information about bullying and tips for parents, teachers, school administrators and students for prevention. By the American Psychological Association.
• StopBullying.gov  
  A federal website that provides information about bullying prevention and intervention with resources from multiple government agencies. By the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Many types of resources for understanding school connectedness and specific issues related to this concept faced by LGBTQ students as well as for increasing school engagement among LGBTQ youth through curricula, additional programming and school-wide campaigns.

Programs and practices

• Educator Resources  
  A broad range of resources for teachers to support LGBTQ students including guides for inclusive curricula and awareness-raising campaigns. By the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
  
• The RESPECT Workshop: Preventing Health Risks and Promoting Healthy Outcomes Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Students  
  A professional development curriculum for specialized instructional support service professionals to address the needs of LGBTQ youth in schools. By the American Psychological Association.
• School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth
  Information about school connectedness and guide to strategies for promoting it. By the CDC (2009), Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Model policies and best practices for ensuring access to gender-segregated facilities and activities for transgender and gender nonconforming students.

• Know Your Rights: Working with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth 
  Provide transgender and gender-nonconforming youth with privacy, safety and respect. By Lambda Legal.
  Information about administrative policies and practices to support transgender and gender diverse students. By the American Psychological Association, APA Div. 16 (School Psychology) and Div. 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues).

• Model district policy on transgender and gender nonconforming students 
  Comprehensive model policy with additional information and resources for implementation. By the GLSEN and National Center for Transgender Equality. 

• Supporting transgender and gender diverse students in schools: Key recommendations for school administrators (PDF, 131KB)
  Information about administrative policies and practices to support transgender and gender diverse students. By the American Psychological Association, Div. 16 (School Psychology) and Div. 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues).

• Gay-Straight Alliance Network
  Resources for adults and advisors who support (GSAs) in their schools.
• Supporting transgender and gender diverse students in schools: Key recommendations for school health personnel (PDF, 165KB) Includes definitions and information about advocacy and support for transgender and gender diverse students. By the American Psychological Association, Divisions 16 and 44.
• Tips and strategies for meeting the needs of transgender youth  
  Recommendations for addressing the needs of transgender youth. By Advocates for Youth.
• Working with LGBT students of color: A guide for educators  
  Overview of some of the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth of color and resources for serving their needs. By the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
• Working with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth  
  Recommendations for addressing the needs of transgender youth. By Lambda Legal.