Making Schools Safe for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Students and Staff

1. Hearings
   Hold public hearings in your community and/or your state to access the needs, concerns, and life experiences of LGBT youth, their families, and school staff.
2. Policies
   • Schools are encouraged to develop policies protecting LGBT students from harassment, violence, and discrimination.
   • Include "Sexual & Gender Orientation" as protected categories in your anti-discrimination policies.
   • Extend "Domestic Partnership" benefits to LGBT employees on par with heterosexual employees.
3. Trainings
• Schools are encouraged to offer training to school personnel in violence prevention, suicide prevention, and specifically to the needs and problems faced by LGBT youth.
• Implement and participate in a "Safe Space" program in your school.
4. GLBTQ Support Groups
   Schools and communities are encouraged to offer school- and community-based support groups for LGBT and heterosexual youth. ("Gay/Straight Alliances").
5. Counseling
   Schools and communities are encouraged to provide affirming school- and community-based counseling for LGBT youth and their families.
6. Information in School Libraries
   Schools are encouraged to include accurate, honest, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information on LGBT issues at every grade level, across the curriculum, and in other school programs and assemblies. Also, include LGBT issues in your school newspapers.
7. Curriculum and School Programs
   Schools are encouraged to include accurate, honest, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information on LGBT issues at every grade level, across the curriculum, and in other school programs and assemblies. Also, include LGBT issues in your school newspapers.
8. Adult Role Models
   Schools are encouraged to recruit "out" LGBT faculty and staff to serve as supportive role models for all youth.
9. Teacher Certification
   Include information and trainings on LGBT youth issues in college and university teacher education programs.
10. Be an Ally
    • Educate yourself to the needs and experiences of LGBT youth and their families.
    • Attend LGBT cultural and community events.
    • Wear pro-LGBT buttons and T-shirts, and display posters.
    • Interrupt homophobic jokes and epithets.
    • Be aware of the generalizations you make. Assume there are LGBT people at your school.
    • For sensitization, if you heterosexual, notice the times you disclose your heterosexuality.
    • Monitor politicians, the media, and organizations to ensure accurate coverage of LGBT issues.
    • Work and vote for candidates (including campus and school board members) taking pro-LGBT stands.
    • Use inclusive, affirming, or gender-neutral language when referring to sexuality and human relationships in every-day speech, on written forms, etc. Say the words "lesbian," "gay," "bisexual," "transgender" each day in a positive way.