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
Great LGBTQ Inclusive Picture & Middle Grade Books
Download Top RecommendationsDownload an Extended List of LGBTQ Inclusive Picture BooksDownload an Extended List of LGBTQ Inclusive Middle Grade Books
Read Moreabout Great LGBTQ Inclusive Picture & Middle Grade Books
Why Welcoming Schools Professional Development
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive, bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically…
What Does "Gay" Mean?
There is not one right answer
Many people have grown up without hearing the words “gay” or “lesbian.” Therefore, you may not be sure how to respond when a student…
What Do You Say to ‘That’s So Gay’ & Other Anti-LGBTQ Comments?
It doesn’t matter if it’s a first grader who might not know what the word “gay” means, a sixth grader trying to sound cool, or a tenth grader “teasing” a…
Welcoming Schools' Safe School Signs
Download Welcoming Schools Be Who You Are Safe School Signs.
WATCH: Welcoming Schools - What I Need To Succeed At School
Children of LGBTQ parents as well as trans and non binary youth discuss how they can best be supported in education.
VIDEO: What Do You Know? Kids Talk About LGBTQ Topics
An award winning short film produced by HRC Welcoming Schools for elementary school educators and parents/caregivers.
Training Modules Available for Professional Development
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Certified Facilitators are located across the country. They offer practical and interactive professional development to create gender and LGBTQ inclusive schools using the following Welcoming Schools…
Seal of Excellence for a Welcoming School
Welcoming Schools permits us to envision our students as their best selves now and also who they will be 15 years from now, as they are leaders in academics but…
Reading LGBTQ-Inclusive Children’s Books in Schools
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Professional Development Training for Your School: Virtual or On-Site
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…