School Advocacy
Advocating for inclusive schools is crucial for ensuring that all students, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, can learn in environments that are welcoming.
The choices made in classrooms, by school boards, and within district offices have a significant impact on the well-being of students and the safety of the community as a whole.
This page is here to support educators, families, and community members by providing them with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to effectively push for inclusive policies and practices. You’ll find guidance for navigating local school systems, organizing for change, responding to harmful policies, and building the people power needed to create schools where all students can thrive.
Building People Power with Welcoming Schools
This Month in School Board and Education Policy
Together, these developments underscore what we know to be true: school boards remain on the front lines of the ongoing fight for inclusive, affirming public education.
California Students Walk Out After School Board Bans Pride Flag
Hundreds of students at Sonoma Valley High School in California walked out of class after the school board voted 3–2 to restrict campus flagpoles to displaying only the American and California state flags, removing a Pride flag that had flown since 2019.
The flag was originally raised through student-led efforts to make their school more welcoming for LGBTQ+ students. Now, students and community members are speaking out against the decision and the message it sends about belonging.(San Francisco Chronicle: Hundreds of Sonoma Valley students walk out over Pride flag ban).
Maryland Court Rules LGBTQ+ Book Must Remain in School Libraries
In a victory for the freedom to read, a Maryland judge ruled that Flamer, a graphic novel about a teenager navigating identity and bullying, must remain available in Harford County school libraries.
The ruling comes after the school board voted to remove the book despite a review committee's recommendation to keep it. The court found the decision violated Maryland's Freedom to Read Act and the First Amendment. (The Baltimore Banner: Judge rules Harford County schools must keep 'Flamer' on library shelves).
Florida School Board Votes to Remove Another 258 Books
Escambia County School Board in Florida voted 4–0 to remove another 258 books from school libraries, including Harriet the Spy, The Greatest: Muhammad Ali, and The Devil's Arithmetic, a novel about the Holocaust.
Many of the books had been challenged in other Florida districts, but not by Escambia County residents. Despite calls from the community to review the books individually, the board approved the mass removals without discussion at their last meeting. (WUWF: Escambia County School Board removes another 250-plus books).
Resources
| Title | Summary | Link to Resource |
|---|---|---|
| School Boards Matter | The tools within this guide will help you advocate for inclusive policies for LGBTQ+ and all students at the school board level. | Read the Guide |
| Confronting Censorship in Our Schools | We know from experience that speaking up and getting involved works, so let’s all do our part. Together, we can protect the freedom to read, to learn, and to be our complete selves in our schools. | Read the Guide |
| Making the Grade: How to Find an LGBTQ+ Inclusive School District | Think of this as your study guide for choosing the right district. With the right information, you can ensure that your school truly makes the grade. | Read the Guide |
| Protecting Our School Communities: A Response to ICE Enforcement | Schools should always be places of learning, stability, and belonging. This guide offers general considerations for how school communities can support students and families. | Read the Guide |
| Navigating Pushback From Stakeholders | As a school leader, you may encounter resistance whether you’re speaking at a school board meeting, hosting a family night, or talking with a colleague. It’s important to remember: you don’t have to be an expert to be effective in fostering positive change. You just need to stay calm, grounded in the foundations of Welcoming Schools, and focused on what truly matters—the well-being of every student. | Read the Guide |
| Mahmoud v. Taylor School Stakeholder Explainer | Here is what staff and leadership need to know to be prepared for any complications resulting from the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling. | Read the Guide |
| Transgender Youth Losing Access to Healthcare: What Educators Need to Know | The Supreme Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti is a significant roadblock and setback for children in the United States. For school staff, here’s what’s important to understand. | Read the Guide |
| Organizing GSAs in Challenging School Climates | Building community allows LGBTQ+ students and allies to thrive, here are some ideas for organizing while staying informed and assessing the risks. | Read the Guide |
| Community Care is Self-Care | Tapping into community care is a great way to take care of yourself. In this guide, we’ll share ways to find and build that community support. | Read the Guide |
| Thriving in College: Navigating LGBTQ+ Resources and Support | This guide highlights ways LGBTQ+ students can navigate campus life and thrive. | Read the Guide |
| Supporting Transgender-Student Athletes Following B.P.J. & Hecox Supreme Court Decision | School leaders and staff may be navigating questions about athletic eligibility, student support, and local policies. This resource provides practical information on what the decision means and what it does not. | Read the Guide |
| Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health in Schools | This guide covers overarching guidance on best practices as well as specific actions that educators and school staff can take to better support LGBTQ+ youth. | Read the Guide |
| Show Up, Speak Out: A Student Guide to Making Your Voice Heard at School | This resource will help you advocate for a safe, welcoming, and respectful school community. We’ll give you practical ways to make a difference, amplify your voice, and engage in constructive action while understanding your own rights, responsibilities, and safety. | Read the Guide |
| Leadership Strategies for Navigating Complex Moments | The Welcoming Schools program has prepared educators to respond to challenging questions in the classroom, centering best practices that establish positive learning environments. | Read the Guide |