How to advocate for the safety of trans students at school

Things to do:

  • Prior to the start of school, meet with school administrators to work out a plan to ensure safety and to check for attitudes and biases of the school environment.
  • Take information about LGBTQ and trans specific issues.
  • Provide statistics about the experiences of school-age trans children.
  • Request separate change rooms and gender neutral washrooms if they do not exist.
  • Request that students be allowed to attend physical education classes according to their gender identity rather than biological sex. 
  • Request that all staff respect and use the child’s chosen name and use of pronouns.
  • Connect with the Gay-Straight Alliance in the school to make introductions and show support and solidarity.
  • Check in with the trans youth regularly to ensure their school experience is supportive.[Adapted from Child Welfare League of America & Lambda Legal (2006). Out of the Margins. A Report on Regional Listening Forums Highlighting the Experiences of LGBTQ Youth in Care.]

     

Further Reading & Resources