Best Practices for Supporting LGBTQ+ Students

In California, public schools are legally mandated to follow education code that supports LGBTQ students, and ensure that schools are safe and inclusive learning environments. San Francisco Unified School District Board Policies affirms California education code and includes additional mandates for schools.

We can best help all student succeed by:  

1. Treating students equally, prevent and respond to reports of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
2. Respecting students' dress and behavior that does not conform to stereotypes associated with their gender, with respect to the student dress code.
3. Providing LGBTQ-inclusive social studies, history and comprehensive sexual health education.
4. Addressing students using the name and pronoun that reflects who they are and use language that respects that. 
5. Providing access to school activities, spaces such as locker rooms and restrooms, that fit with their gender identity.
6. Implementing and provide access to gender-neutral restrooms, dress code policies, and classroom practices.
7. Providing students opportunities to speak out about LGBTQ issues, including wearing LGBTQ-affirming t-shirts, stickers and bracelets, and access information about LGBTQ issues on school computers, and to bring same-gender dates to prom.
8. Supporting the formation of Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) clubs or similar LGBTQ-related student clubs.
9. Respecting student’s individual choice to be "out" and be themselves at school, and seek their permission of when and to whom staff can discuss their LGBTQ identity.
10. Recognizing student’s consent to sensitive sexual health-related services without seeking permission from caregiver/parent, if they are age 12 or older.