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LGBTQ+ Support & Protection

Defending the Freedom of our LGBTQ+ Students to be Themselves
Our LGBTQ+ students need us to ensure our schools are places where all students are protected and empowered.

How to use this toolkit

  • Read about the importance of supporting and protecting LGBTQ+ students, take action, and get involved with the movement
  • Find art to help you communicate your opinions and express your emotions
  • Learn how to talk about this issue effectively and respectfully, particularly with those who think differently
  • Explore resources to help you learn more about LGBTQ+ issues
Viewing: Toolkit Section Title

Stand Against Hate and Bias

CONTEXT

We all deserve the right to live, work, and thrive no matter our sexual orientation or gender identities—no exceptions. But today, certain politicians are pushing laws that restrict our freedoms and divide us, so they can get and hold onto power at any cost—even if that means denying us the basic rights, resources, and respect that we all deserve.  

Educators, parents, students, and communities are uniting across race, genders, and place to demand safe and affirming schools where all our students can learn, grow, and thrive. 

Now is our time to demand the fully resourced and supportive schools all our families need, and to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are free to be their authentic selves and pursue their dreams. 

Please use the guidance in this toolkit freely and as you see fit! Share it with your colleagues and community, so we can all work together in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. We're absolute believers that if our words don't spread, they don't work and as such we are honored to have you use this language verbatim.

Narratives

How we speak about issues is of critical importance in activism. Use these narratives for creative and social media content, visuals, public messages, calls to action, spokesperson materials, and more.

3 Key Narratives

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1
Everyone Deserves a Quality Education, Period

Educators want to provide every student with an accurate and quality education. But some politicians are pushing laws that restrict some kids' freedom to learn, excluding them from healthcare, school, and sports.

2
A Politically Motivated Fake "Moral Panic"

Politicians fuel divisions among parents by pushing laws that erase our history, from Selma to Stonewall. We are not fooled by their cruel and politically motivated tactics and will continue to join parents, students, and educators to make public schools places where we are all free to thrive and support each other for who we are.  

3
A Distraction from What Really Matters

Politicians are exploiting lack of familiarity with transgender students to distract us from their failures to deliver for our families and communities. We must work together to force elected officials to address the real issues facing public schools, like solving the teacher shortage, fixing teacher pay, and providing all students with the support and opportunities they need to succeed. 

Resources for Educators

NEA offers educators LGBTQ+ information, tools, and resources they need to support transgender and non-binary students, to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ history in their classrooms, and to stop LGBTQ+ bias and intolerance in our public schools.
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What Educators Should Know About LGBTQ+ Rights

Learn about federal protections for public school students and employees, the threats posted by state legislation, and more in our FAQ.
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NEA LGBTQ+ Trainings

NEA offers multiple LGBTQ+ trainings to teach educators and school personnel how to create a safe school climate for students and staff.
Supreme Court Building

Your Rights under SCOTUS's 2020 Bostock Ruling

In 2020, the Supreme Court announced that federal law protects LGBTQ employees—including educators—from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Creating an Inclusive Space

Learn about your rights, and get tips for avoiding controversy while decorating your classroom, school bus, and other workspaces.
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LBGTQ+ Book Recommendations

Inspire and engage your students with Read Across America books that reflect their experiences and expand their horizons.
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A Guide to Pronouns

Use this guide to better understand and use pronouns in a respectful way at school and in the community.

Freedom to Learn & Teach Truth Day of Action

Some politicians are trying to censor the lessons taught in our classrooms, ban books, and exclude certain kids based on what they look like or where they live. They’re trying to divide and distract us from their failures to provide all of our kids everything they need to learn, grow, and thrive. But together we can make our voices loud and clear to protect the freedom to learn & teach truth. 

We are moving forward to a better future where every student—whether Black, brown, or white, Native or newcomer, LGBTQ+ or differently abled—has the #freedomtolearn.

Please join us for the Teach Truth Day of Action June 10

Here’s how:

1. Learn more about the Day of Action and how to plan an event.

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2. Find an event near you!

Sign up to create your own event

3. Support the Week of Action on social media: #FreedomtoLearn  #Teach Truth

4. Find Freedom to Learn sharable art

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Know Your Rights

Access information, tools, and resources to support transgender and non-binary students, include LGBTQ+ history in your classroom, and stop LGBTQ+ bias and intolerance in public schools.

From our Partners

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Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.
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The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.
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GLSEN

GLSEN works at the federal, state, and local levels to advance intersectional equity for LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 education systems.
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NQAPIA

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance empowers LGBTQ+ Asians and Pacific Islanders through community capacity building, policy advocacy, and resource development.
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Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal represents LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the court of law and in the court of public opinion.
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National Black Justice Coalition

NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.

Are you an affiliate?

Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
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Take Action on Racial & Social Justice

We are on a mission to dismantle unjust systems, and together, as educators and allies, we can take actions to address the inequities that result from institutionally racist policies and practices in our schools and the communities in which our students live. Join us to work for access and opportunity for all students.
National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.