FAQ on Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students in K-12 Schools

• Summary of Supportive Federal Laws and Constitutional Rights For Transgender Students.

The law is consistently being interpreted to affirm transgender and non-binary students’ rights.

• There is a robust body of case law in which federal courts have affirmed that transgender and non-binary students may not be discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity.
• Even if the administration does adopt the anti-transgender definition of sex that has been reported, the administration’s perspective does not change the underlying law. It could, however, impact administrative enforcement.
• Courts are consistently interpreting Title IX to support the rights of transgender and non-binary students to have their gender identity respected in terms of access to school facilities — including restrooms and locker rooms and the use of their affirmed name and pronouns by school staff.
• HRC’s memo, Educational Institutions’ Obligations to Transgender Students under Title IX highlights such important cases as Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District (2017), Evancho v. Pine-Richland School District (2017), and Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board (2018)

Schools and school districts are encouraged to institute supportive policies and procedures.

• HRC’s Schools In Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools is written for administrators, teachers, parents and other adults who work with transgender youth. The guide covers topics ranging from basic concepts of gender and the importance of affirming gender identity, to best practices for restroom access and working with non-affirming parents.
• It is critical for schools to enumerate gender, gender identity and gender expression in their anti-bullying, anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies.

Professional Development

School districts often need help knowing how to best support transgender and non-binary students. Welcoming Schools offers professional development trainings and resources including lesson plans and recommendations for books to support schools in becoming gender inclusive and to directly support transgender and non-binary students.