GLSEN Celebrates Release of U.S. Department of Education’s Guidance for Sch

Dept of Ed Releases Title IX Guidance

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GLSEN Celebrates Release of U.S. Department of Education’s Guidance for School Districts on Accommodating Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Under Title IX

NEW YORK (May 12, 2016) – GLSEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard, today thanked the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice for issuing guidance to school districts across the country regarding how to accommodate transgender and gender nonconforming students, as required by Title IX.

“GLSEN is thrilled that the Departments of Education and Justice have provided such comprehensive guidance to schools across the nation on serving transgender students. This guidance is as an essential tool for school leaders who must protect public school students from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression and ensure that all of their students learn and thrive in a healthy school climate. In the midst of overheated public debate, this guidance underscores best practices currently in place in a number of districts to help school leaders understand their obligations and find the best path forward in serving their students.

"It is too easy to lose sight of the actual students in the eye of the current political storm. This guidance serves to re-center their rights and the need to support them in overcoming the severe challenges they can face in the school environment, including harassment, violence and discrimination. Tonight they know that they are not alone in facing those challenges. Indeed, the United States government itself has their backs.

“We call on all states and districts to live up to their responsibility to all of their students by creating and implementing policies that align with this guidance. We look forward to working with them to create school climates where their transgender and gender nonconforming students can succeed. GLSEN thanks former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education John King, Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta for their leadership in the effort to make sure that all students in this country have access to schools where they can thrive.”

GLSEN has created model laws and policies for schools, districts and states to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students are safe and affirmed at school, including a model district policy for accommodating transgender and gender nonconforming students that complies with Title IX.

The latest edition of GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey found that transgender students were more likely to avoid gender-segregated spaces at schools, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, because of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. LGBT students who experienced discrimination and bullying and harassment at school were more than three times as likely to have missed school in the past month as those who did not, had lower GPAs than their peers, and had lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression.

 

About GLSEN

GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.