GLSEN Calls for Enhanced Funding to Enforce Title IX Protections

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2024

Contact: press@glsen.org

 

GLSEN Calls for Enhanced Funding to Enforce Title IX Protections for LGBTQ+ Students 

GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers Applauds the U.S. Department of Education for Its Commitment to Creating Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments for LGBTQ+ Youth

 

Washington, DC (May 22, 2024) – GLSEN, the leading organization advocating for LGBTQ+ students' rights, applauds the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for its ongoing work to resolve Title IX violations and other complaints of sex-based harassment and discrimination affecting LGBTQ+ students, as detailed in their recent Fiscal Year 2023  Report to the President and Secretary of Education. The report reveals a historic high in complaints and significant resolutions that underscore the urgent need for schools to proactively implement safe, discrimination-free learning environments. GLSEN calls on Congress to include a $22 million increase in USED-OCR funding for fiscal year 2025, as requested in the President’s budget, to ensure all complaints are processed promptly and effectively.


Key Cases and Resolutions:

1. Book Censorship in Forsyth County Schools (GA):

  • Issue: Following complaints about certain library books, Forsyth County Schools restricted access to books that disproportionately targeted LGBTQ+ and non-white authors. The school did not take effective action to address student complaints that the removal of these books created a more hostile school environment and increased fear among LGBTQ+ students.
  • Resolution: The district agreed to acknowledge that the screening process had created an environment that may have impacted students and to give notice that students who feel impacted may receive supportive measures.


2. Misgendering and Harassment in Rhinelander School District (WI):

  • Issue: In the 2021-2022 school year, a nonbinary student faced repeated harassment, including being misgendered by teachers and bullied by peers. The harassment limited the student’s participation in school activities, resulting in their removal from a class for safety concerns.
  • Resolution: The district agreed to evaluate the student for compensatory services, train staff on responding to sex-based harassment, educate students on recognizing and addressing harassment, and conduct a climate survey to assess and respond to the prevalence of harassment.


3. Sex Discrimination and Dress Codes in Nash County Public Schools (NC)

  • Issue: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, Nash County Public Schools held a dress code assembly only for girls, addressing “inappropriate” social media messages threatening sexual violence. District staff appeared to blame girls for the harassment, saying their dress was “opening the door” to such behavior. The district did not hold a similar assembly for boys, despite disciplining boys for dress code violations equally.
  • Resolution: To address these concerns, the district agreed to revise its dress code to eliminate sex discrimination, train staff on Title IX obligations regarding sexual harassment, and review reports of sexual harassment to provide necessary support for affected students.


GLSEN's Commitment:
GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers states, "These resolutions highlight both progress and the ongoing challenges in creating safe and inclusive learning environments. GLSEN is committed to ensuring that all students, especially LGBTQ+ students, feel affirmed and safe in their schools. The OCR’s report clearly shows that schools still have much work to do to comply with Title IX and protect all students from discrimination."


The Need for Enhanced Funding:
The OCR's report reveals a dire need for additional resources to resolve the increasing number of complaints effectively. GLSEN calls on Congress to increase funding for the OCR to safeguard the civil rights of all students, particularly LGBTQ+ students.
GLSEN continues to advocate for:

  • Proactive measures by schools to address and prevent discriminatory experiences.
  • Comprehensive training for school staff on LGBTQ+ issues and inclusion.
  • Policies that affirm students' gender identities and sexual orientations.
  • Robust funding for the OCR to ensure timely and thorough resolution of complaints.


The latest OCR Annual Report underscores the critical need for continued vigilance and action to ensure safe, discrimination-free learning environments for all students. GLSEN remains dedicated to this mission and urges schools and policymakers to prioritize these efforts.

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ABOUT GLSEN

GLSEN, the nation’s largest advocate for LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education, has been dedicated to establishing inclusive schools and learning environments for over 34 years. Amidst increasing threats against LGBTQ+ youth nationwide, GLSEN actively addresses harassment and discrimination by empowering educators, advocating for policy changes, and combating book bans through its Rainbow Library Program, which provides LGBTQ+ affirming literature to over 6 million students across 30 states.

Media Contacts
Lucky Break PR
Mark Umbach, Mark@luckybreakpr.com
Briana Velasco, Briana@luckybreakpr.com