LGBTQ Student Services

School breaks can be challenging for LGBTQ+ youth and families, as it can mean spending time with non-affirming community or family members. A report by the Human Rights Council (HRC) found that 67% of LGBTQ youth heard their families make negative comments about LGBTQ people and only 24% report they can “definitely” be themselves as an LGBTQ person at home.

LGBTQ Student Services team has gathered resources below to help LGBTQ+ students and families think through staying safe and feeling affirmed during this time, including:

• Queering the Holidays: A queer survival guide for the Holiday season

• 8 Queer Tips to Get Through the Holidays - NOTE: students should always discuss social media resources with their caregivers.

• Tips from HRC to help navigate school breaks successfully:
  • Literature can help reinforce self-esteem and self-pride. For young children, this is incredibly important for their emotional and psychological development. Take a look at HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools’ list of inclusive and identity-affirming books for kids.
  • Much of the holiday break is spent watching TV, so why not watch something that is LGBTQ-friendly?
    • ​​​​​​​For young children, animated shows like “Steven Universe,” which has tackled homophobia, and “Danger & Eggs,” which includes gay fathers and is written by a trans writer, can be both entertaining and inclusive. Other shows include “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” “DuckTales,” “Arthur” and “Gravity Falls."
    • For older LGBTQ youth, there are shows such as “AJ and the Queen” and “Love, Victor”. The important part is to sit down with them and watch the shows together to demonstrate support and love.
  • Allow LGBTQ youth to practice self-care. This can mean allowing them time to disengage by listening to their own music, working out, virtually connecting with their friends, or taking a walk. LGBTQ youth, and all youth, should be able to explore their own needs and wants by practicing self-affirming activities.
  • For transgender or gender non-conforming youth, it can be stressful to receive a present that doesn’t validate their gender identity. Try purchasing clothes or gifts that are gender-neutral — . pick neutral colors for items such as wallets or phone cases and buy products that affirm their gender identity.

If a student plans to come out during the break

It is important to make plans regarding personal boundaries, self-care needs, availability of affirming social support and a back-up strategy. 

Additional suggestions for students:

The holidays may cause family members to react differently than they would under less stressful conditions; their reaction may not be entirely because of what is shared about your identity.

Remind yourself that family members may need time to acknowledge, accept and affirm your identity; coming out is a continuous process.

Let your family members attend to and work on their own thoughts, feelings and judgments as long as they are kind to you and you do not feel unsafe.

Important numbers for students to keep in their back pocket:

• SF Suicide Prevention Hotline: (415) 781-0500
• Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
• The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386

In case students need access to shelter or other resources: 

• Huckleberry Youth Programs T24/7 Teen Hotline: (415) 621-2929
• SF Youth Access Points

Calling all middle & high school students interested in advocating for the needs of LGBTQ+ students in SFUSD and to community stakeholders to join the SFUSD Queer Trans Advisory Council (QTAC).  

• December 6th, 2023
• January 31, 2024
• May 1st, 2024

All Meetings will be held from 5:00-6:30pm. Earn up to $300!!!  Food will be provided!  

• Flier
• More information on QTAC

QTAC will also select two high school LGBTQ+ sophomores or juniors to represent on SFUSD's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).  

You can find more details about what LCAP is and how it will shape the decisions the district makes for the next three years here.  Students can apply to both QTAC and LCAP on the same Google Form here.