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LGBTQ+
Schools that actively work to welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ students, families and staff improve the school climate for the whole school community. When students feel safe and affirmed, they can thrive both academically and socially.
LGBTQ+ inclusive schools:
- Welcome all children, families and staff
- Promote gender equity and support transgender, non-binary and gender expansive students
- Proactively work to prevent and address bias-based bullying with an intersectional, anti-racist lens
- Foster understanding and respect for all people
What Does "Gay" Mean?
There is not one right answer
Many educators are unsure how to respond when a student asks you what does gay mean. It is better to try to answer than…
What Do You Say to ‘That’s So Gay’ & Other Anti-LGBTQ+ Comments?
It doesn’t matter if it is a first grader who might not
know what the word “gay” means, a sixth grader trying
to sound cool or a tenth grader “teasing”…
Welcoming Schools' Safe School Signs
Download Welcoming Schools Be Who You Are Safe School Signs.
Professional Development Training for Your School: On-Site or Virtual – Gender & LGBTQ+ Inclusive
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program has certified facilitators across the country ready to work with your school or district to improve school climate with gender and LGBTQ+ inclusive trainings. See…
LGBTQ+ History & Pride: Engaging Lessons
Learn about prominent LGBTQ+ people and about historical events that were part of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement with these lessons.
Lesson Plans to Create LGBTQ+ Inclusive Classrooms and Schools
Welcoming Schools teacher-friendly lesson plans are designed to help educators create classrooms and schools that are affirming of all students and their families. A key focus of Welcoming Schools is…
Gender and Children: A Place to Begin
Creating schools that nurture academic achievement, provide physical and emotional safety and welcome all students are common goals for all educators. In order for students to feel supported and empowered…
Developing A Welcoming Classroom
Educators working to develop a classroom that is welcoming of all students and their families may find it helpful to ask these questions.
Developing a Gender Inclusive School
Creating schools that nurture academic achievement, provide physical and emotional safety and welcome all students are common goals for all educators. As educators, one can create gender-expansive environments that affirm…
Defining LGBTQ+ Words for Elementary School Students
When children ask questions about LGBTQ+ words, it is often best to offer simple and direct answers. You might choose to answer a student’s question with another question to figure…