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.
Court Decisions Leave Trans Student Protections Unsettled
The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case challenging a Florida school district policy that allows educators to support transgender students without automatically notifying parents. The decision leaves lower court rulings in place and highlights the continued role of school boards in determining how policies around student privacy and support are implemented at the local level. (US Supreme Court rejects Florida school gender-identity policy challenge).
Courts Expand Role of Religion in Public Schools
At the same time, federal courts are reshaping the boundaries of what is permitted in public school classrooms. A federal appeals court ruling in Texas allows the state to move forward with requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms, a decision that school districts and school boards will now be responsible for implementing. The ruling raises new questions about religious freedom, inclusion, and the role of public education. (5th Circuit allows Texas to require Ten Commandments in classrooms).
Censorship Fights Continue in School Districts Nationwide
Meanwhile, school boards across the country continue to face ongoing pressure around book bans and curriculum restrictions. According to reporting and data from PEN America and the American Library Association, efforts to remove books, particularly those featuring LGBTQ+ characters or themes, remain widespread. These decisions are often made at the local level, placing school boards at the center of determining what students can access and learn in their schools. (Banned in the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students’ First Amendment Rights) (Censorship by the Numbers: Banned Books Data)
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 |