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The Trevor Project provides advocacy, education, crisis services and more to help those in

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The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives

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The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor. Free and confidential.

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Amnesty international protects rights of many individuals and helps fight discrimination. Part of that includes fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights.

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Overview
Around the world, people are under attack for who they are.
Living as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) person can be life-threatening in a number of countries across the globe. For those who do not live with a daily immediate risk to their life, discrimination on the basis of one's sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and sex characteristics, can have a devastating effect on physical, mental and emotional well-being for those forced to endure it.

Discrimination and violence against LGBTI people can come in many forms, from name-calling, bullying, harassment, and gender-based violence, to being denied a job or appropriate healthcare. Protests to uphold the rights of LGBTI people also face suppression across the globe.

The range of unequal treatment faced is extensive and damaging and could be based on:

your sexual orientation (who you're attracted to)

gender identity (how you self-identify, irrespective of the sex assigned at birth)

gender expression (how you express your gender, for example through your clothing, hair or mannerisms),

sex characteristics (for example, your genitals, chromosomes, reproductive organs, or hormone levels.)

Amnesty International campaigns to protect and uphold the rights of LGBTI people globally, including their right to life, freedom and safety.

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What does it mean to be LGBTI?

The term LGBTI refers to a broad category of people, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, although we recognize that there are many terms around the world that are used by people to define their sexual orientation or gender identity. The terminology used can vary widely depending on historical, cultural and societal contexts.

It is well established in international human rights law that states must take steps to safeguard the rights of LGBTI people.

Gender identity vs sexual orientation

Gender identity refers to each person's deeply felt internal and individual sense of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. An individual's gender identity may be that of a man, woman, or outside the binary categories of man and woman; it may also be more than one gender, fluid across genders or no gender at all.

Sexual orientation refers to a person's capacity for profound emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with other people. People experience sexual and romantic attraction differently. You can be attracted to people of a different gender, or the same gender as you. Some people are asexual, meaning they experience little to no sexual attraction.

What does it mean to be transgender?

Transgender (or trans) people have a gender identity that is different from typical expectations of the gender they were assigned at birth.

Some trans people might decide to get legal gender recognition or undergo gender affirmative interventions to help them feel more confident or comfortable living as their true gender.

Being transgender has nothing to do with a person's sexual orientation. You can be a trans man and be gay - or be a trans woman and be lesbian.

Not all transgender people identify as male or female. Some identify as more than one gender or no gender at all and might use terms like non-binary, agender, genderqueer or gender fluid to describe their gender identity.

What is gender affirmation?

Some trans people decide to affirm their gender identity, which is the process of living your life as the gender you identify with.

There is no single gender-affirming process. Some people may adopt new pronouns, change their name, apply for legal gender recognition, and/or undergo gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy.

What is gender recognition?

Gender recognition, in theory, allows trans people to align their legally recognized gender with that of their own gender identity. For some trans people, having their gender legally recognized is an essential step towards being able to live freely, authentically and openly.

Unfortunately, even in countries where it is possible to affirm one's gender identity legally, the process is often dehumanizing, long and expensive.

In some countries, trans people need medical proof before they can get their gender identity legally recognized. This can be an invasive process and also reinforces the misinformed view that being trans is an illness. Unfortunately, despite the World Health Organization updating their guidelines to no longer recognize being transgender as a 'disorder', this attitude, is still prevalent in many societies around the world.

Requiring transgender people to undergo unnecessary medical treatments to obtain legal gender recognition violates their right to the highest attainable standard of health, which is protected under international human rights law, including by the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

For transgender people, official identity documents reflecting their gender identity are vitally important for the enjoyment of their human rights. They are not only crucial when travelling but also for everyday life. States must ensure that transgender people can obtain legal recognition of their gender through a quick, accessible and transparent procedure in accordance with the individual's own sense of their gender identity while preserving their right to privacy.

What does it mean to be non-binary?

Non-binary people have a gender identity that exists outside the categories of male and female. It is an umbrella term for various gender identities that lie outside of the gender binary. While some non-binary people may identify as trans, others may not.

Some non-binary people may use gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/them. Others may use a combination of gendered and gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/he or she/they. It is important to always respect people's pronouns. If you aren't sure what words to use to describe them, find polite ways to ask them.

There is an assumption that everyone's physical, hormonal and chromosomal characteristics fit neatly into either male or female. But that is not always the case, an estimated 1.7% of children in the world are born every year with variations of sex characteristics.

These variations are diverse; for instance, some children have genitalia outside the standard norms of male and female bodies, others have female reproductive organs but have XY (male) chromosomes, or male reproductive organs and XX (female) chromosomes.

These characteristics might be present at birth or become more apparent during or after puberty.

Many people with intersex variations are forced to undergo invasive, non-emergency and irreversible "normalizing" surgeries, often when they are children, and therefore cannot consent, but sometimes this can happen later in life. Many people Amnesty International has spoken to that have gone through such surgeries reported lasting negative impacts on their physical and mental health, sexual lives, psychological well-being and gender identity.

When performed without informed consent or adequate information, these surgeries violate people's right to physical bodily integrity and may have long-term consequences on their right to health and their sexual and reproductive rights, particularly since they can severely impede people's fertility.

Discrimination against LGBTI people

We are each protected against discrimination based on our sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and sex characteristics under international human rights law.

However, in practice, authorities in many countries that have signed international treaties, committing them to protect human rights, continue to implement and introduce legislations that singles out and discriminates against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

There are 64 countries around the world which have laws that criminalize homosexuality, many of which can be traced back to European colonization.

In some countries, such as Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and in the northern states in Nigeria, people can be sentenced to the death penalty if they engage in consensual same-sex sexual acts.

Discrimination goes beyond being criminally prosecuted for being an LGBTI person and can include limited access to healthcare, difficulty in securing employment, bullying or harassment in the workplace and much more.

LGBTI identity and intersectionality

Intersectionality is a term coined by black, feminist legal academic, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, and was first publicly explained in her 1989 essay ' Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex.'

The term 'intersectionality' was originally used to describe the multiple forms of inequality and discrimination black women face in the USA but has now become an international marker for defining ways that different forms of oppression and discrimination intersect with each other.

Many countries of the Global South may have their own knowledge and experiences of addressing intersecting oppression. Feminist academic Nivedita Menon gives the example of India - stating that there has been a long history of engaging with multiple, intersecting identities that can be traced back to the anti-imperialist struggle, without any reference to Crenshaw's work.

For example, an LGBTI person may experience discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and oppression because of their race, class, caste, religion, ethnicity, (dis)ability, or age. In order to fight back against systems that oppress LGBTI people, we need to deconstruct all systems of oppression, including racism, imperialism, ableism, sexism, xenophobia, ageism or classism.

Pride as a Protest

What is Pride?

While Pride is often perceived as a celebration it originally began as a riot against police brutality at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. On 28 June 1969, the Stonewall Inn was raided by the police, as it had been on many occasions before, due to laws which required a 'man' or a 'woman' to be wearing clothing items which 'matched' their gender on their state-issued ID. As the LGBTI community in the Stonewall Inn, primarily led by trans women of colour, fought back, police brutality increased amid six days of riots which was a galvanizing force for LGBTI activism in the USA.

In many states around the world, Pride is still centrally and most importantly a protest which highlights, commemorates, and fights for the rights of LGBTI people.

Pride is marked differently in countries across the world. Many communities organize parades, marches and concerts that bring LGBTI people, allies, and the public together. But in other places, pride is actively shut down by governments and law enforcement agencies, leading to security risks for those participating.

While Pride has increasingly become one of the most visible modes of celebrating queer joy and resistance, LGBTI activism, protest and ways of coming together as a community have always existed across the world in different iterations. There are also several places in the world where Pride as a concept may not resonate with local LGBTI people, and they prefer to celebrate their identities in subtler, more locally relevant ways.

Amnesty is committed to ending discrimination against LGBTI people around the world.
We learn from the lived experiences of LGBTI people and make recommendations to governments and other influential leaders on how to improve laws. For example, our research on the rights of intersex people was one of the first of its kind from a human rights perspective and strongly influenced new laws in Denmark, Finland, Greece and Norway.

Amnesty also helps activists around the world by producing resources on various issues that affect LGBTI people. This work takes many forms, from an advocacy toolkit for activists countering discrimination in Sub-Saharan Africa to the Body Politics series aimed at increasing awareness around the criminalization of sexuality and reproduction.

There is still a lot of work to do and we endeavour to continue to push for the fulfilment of all the rights of LGBTI people, in close collaboration with partners, LGBTI groups and activists across the globe.

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Around the world, people are under attack for who they love, how they dress, and who they are.

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PFLAG ​is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

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We're so glad you found us! PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

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A national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters working to ensure every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education.

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Our research and experience has shown that there are four major ways that schools can cultivate a safe and supportive environment for all of their students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. These Four Supports are the focus of GLSEN's programs, advocacy, research, and policy work.

1. Activating supportive educators, who are crucial to creating LGBTQ-inclusive classroom environments

2. Advocating for inclusive & affirming curriculum, which not only offers support to LGBTQ students but raises the awareness of all students

3. Passing and implementing policies to ensure that LGBTQ students can learn and thrive in safe, inclusive, accepting schools

4. Supporting student-led clubs and GSAs, because student leaders are integral to creating community and pushing for change

Research for Action

The GLSEN Research Institute has 20 years of expertise on how to support LGBTQ youth in schools and extracurricular activities. Our research has helped to:

Motivate legislators to act on the challenges that LGBTQ students face in their home states.

Alert principals and other administrators why Gender and Sexuality Alliances, enumerated policies and other resources are so important to creating safe and respectful school communities.

Educate students and school staff about LGBTQ student experiences of bullying and harassment.

Identify and promote best practices and resources for creating safe and affirming schools.

Develop evidence for LGBTQ-affirming action through research in partnership with other organizations internationally

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Our research and experience has shown that there are four major ways that schools can cultivate a safe and supportive environment for all of their students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. These Four Supports are the focus of GLSEN's programs, advocacy, research, and policy work.

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The Human Rights Campaign mobilizes voters, educates the public about LGBTQ+ issues, and advances pro-equality policy and litigation.

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WASHINGTON-Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, and SHOWTIME announced this year's 25 recipients of "Queer to Stay:...

Despite living in a state of emergency, our community continues to stay resilient. We are still coming together, celebrating ourselves and advocating for our rights. It is more important than ever that we join together to send a clear message: We are not going anywhere.

Read the Summer 2023 issue

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If Enacted, Discriminatory Legislation Introduced in House of Representatives Would Erase LGBTQ+ Identities from Education System

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The LGBTQ Task Force has been mobilizing people to fight for equality in all aspects of life.

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The National LGBTQ Task Force is dedicated to achieving freedom and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people, and their families through proactive, targeted, change-inducing initiatives.

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A monthly podcast where two queer nerds use their passion for social justice, history, and storytelling to examine the overlooked and underappreciated queer ladies, gents, and gentle-enbies from the unexplored corners of history.

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“You may forget but let me tell you this: someone in some future time will think of us.” -Sappho — History is Gay

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History is Gay podcast that examines the underappreciated and overlooked queer ladies, gents, and gentle-enbies that have always been there in the unexplored corners of history. Because history has never been as straight as you think.

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This podcast shares stories from Harlem to the Frontier West, of LGBTQ+ life we should have learned in school. This 13-episodes series can help educators learn and teach LGBTQ+ history.

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

This podcast is produced in partnership with University of Wisconsin Press, publishers of Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History. It is the first book designed for high school and university teachers who want to integrate LGBTQ history into their standard curriculum.

Listen to each episode individually, or subscribe for automatic downloads using:

Queer America is an exploration of the history of sexual identity and gender identity in the United States. Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio host this new podcast from Learning for Justice-a resource to help educators integrate LGBTQ history into their curriculum.

From the Gold Rush to the Cold War, Historian Daniel Hurewitz offers strategies for integrating LGBTQ History into your curriculum. He shares lesson examples from U.S. history and insights from educators already teaching queer history in their classrooms.

In a fascinating conversation with host Leila J. Rupp, historian and writer Genny Beemyn brings us inspiring-and surprising-stories of trans and gender nonconforming figures, from the Frontier West to the modern civil rights movement and beyond.

Lessons from the classroom-from high stakes testing to critical thinking skills-professor Emily Hobson & public school teacher Felicia Perez discuss their experiences and practical advice to help you incorporate LGBTQ History.

We're passing love notes across time. Historian Susan K. Freeman takes a deep dive into the history of women who loved women-and offers ways for educators to connect love letters to lessons on culture, women's rights movements and literary themes.

Lifelong partnerships between women existed long before the legalization of gay marriage. Susan K. Freeman continues her exploration of the spaces they found-in their words, their societies and their homes-for same-sex intimacy.

"If we teach only about the Red Scare, we're only telling part of the story of the Cold War." Historian David K. Johnson explores the systemic firing of gay government employees and the consequences of a homophobic culture that still endure today.

World War II plunged a double-edged sword into the heart of the U.S. queer community. Historian Susan Freeman examines how the war brought gay men and lesbians together, and the ways it isolated them from the right to serve and benefit from their service.

What can the private lives of public figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover tell us about their impact on U.S. history? Historian Claire Potter helps us navigate the relationships among identity, power and actions-and why we must teach them.

Don't start-or stop-with Stonewall. To understand not just LGBTQ history but all post-war U.S. history, students must see the 1960s in context. In this episode, Amnesty International's Ian Lekus dives into the minority-rights revolutions of the 1960s.

The revolution was intersectional. Amnesty International's Ian Lekus returns to discuss ways educators can highlight the many identities of 1960s activists and help students understand the roles LGBTQ people played in movements you already teach.

"Inequality directly affected the scope of the epidemic." Historian Jennifer Brier and CAARAC founder Shakita Jones discuss the history and structural discrimination surrounding AIDS, and how to approach these difficult conversations in the classroom.

Queer characters have existed on screen since the era of silent film. But do they have a starring role in your syllabus? Scholars Sharon Ullman and Nicholas Syrett offer concrete strategies for teaching LGBTQ history through films and documentaries.

On our season finale, join Learning for Justice Senior Writer Cory Collins and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio as they offer concrete tips for creating LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms and taking themes from this podcast into our daily practice.
Read the Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students Guide

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

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This podcast has a special focus on gay parenting, queer culture, and building a modern LGBTQ+ lifestyle. It includes heartwarming stories, insightful discussions, and a peek into the daily lives of queer families.

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Relationships Podcast · Updated Weekly · We’re helping you build the vibrant life you want by giving you the tools to own your authentic self. Hosted by Daniel and Garet, the Aussie meets Angeleno married couple share everyday relatable topi…

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A podcast that looks into LGBTQ+ life beyond stereotypes.

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Sexuality Podcast · Updated Weekly · Featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Esquire, and Queerty, Gayish is an award-winning podcast that breaks down one gay stereotype each week. Mike and Kyle bring humor, honesty, and irreverence to top…

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A podcast by an ally on allyship.

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Jeannie Gainsburg: How to Be a Savvy LGBTQ+ Ally

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Podcast Episode · The Empathy Edge · 02/06/2024 · 42m

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This podcast focuses on teachers and what they can and should do to support their students.

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Teacher Responsibilities in Supporting LGBTQ Students – Podcast Episode 184 - IDRA

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Classnotes Podcast (August 16, 2018). Schools must be safe places for all children. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ... read more

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The story of a transgender boy and his experience.

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born ready: the true story of a boy named penelope

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children’s / teenage general interest: biography and autobiography

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children’s / teenage personal and social topics: families and family members

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children’s / teenage personal and social topics: lgbtq+

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general (see also headings under social topics)

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juvenile nonfiction / biography & autobiography / general

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juvenile nonfiction / family / general (see also headings under social topics)

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relating to trans / transgender people or gender minorities

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teenage general interest: biography and autobiography

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teenage personal and social topics: families and family members

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teenage personal and social topics: lgbtq+

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trans; lgbt pride; lgbt children's books; lgbt kids books; transgender gifts; lgbtq gifts; lgbtq books; lgbt books; lgbtq; lgbt; transgender pride; transgender books; transgender; picture books; family; books for 5 year olds; books for 4 year olds; childrens books by age 5-8; books for 7 year old girls; books for 6 year old girls; kids books ages 6-8; books for kids 5-7; toddler books ages 2-4; books for 5 year old boys; books for 6 year old boys; books for 5 year old girls; stories for boys; anti racist books; books

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trans;lgbt pride;lgbt children's books;lgbt kids books;transgender gifts;lgbtq gifts;lgbtq books;lgbt books;lgbtq;lgbt;transgender pride;transgender books;transgender;stories for boys;anti racist books;books;picture books;books for 4 year olds;books for 5 year olds;family;books for 7 year old girls;childrens books by age 5-8;books for 6 year old girls;books for kids 5-7;books for 5 year old boys;books for 6 year old boys;kids books ages 6-8;books for 5 year old girls;toddler books ages 2-4

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juvenile nonfiction / biography & autobiography / general

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juvenile nonfiction / family / general (see also headings under social topics)

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children’s / teenage general interest: biography and autobiography

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children’s / teenage personal and social topics: families and family members

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children’s / teenage personal and social topics: lgbtq+

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relating to trans / transgender people or gender minorities

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Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

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Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope [Patterson, Jodie, Barlow, Charnelle Pinkney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

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A girl struggles with her uncle getting married but then learns to love it.

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Sarah S. Brannen (Author), Lucia Soto (Illustrator)

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Uncle Bobby’s Wedding [Brannen, Sarah S., Soto, Lucia] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding

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A book about gender identity for kids.

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Theresa Thorn (Author), Noah Grigni (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

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It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity

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It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity - Kindle edition by Thorn, Theresa, Grigni, Noah. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity.

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A book about the queer liberation movement.

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Matthew Riemer (Author), Leighton Brown (Author)

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We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation

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We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation [Riemer, Matthew, Brown, Leighton] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation

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A memoir by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, stars of The L Word

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Kate Moennig (Author), Leisha Hailey (Author)

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So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All

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Amazon.com: So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All: 9781250361363: Moennig, Kate, Hailey, Leisha: Books

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An article detailing how to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community and how to take action.

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Some straight, cisgender people think of themselves as allies to the LGBTQ+ community, maybe even going so far as to self-designate as such through signage in their workspace or on their personal effects. But do LGBTQ+ individuals actually perceive them to be allies? To answer this question, the authors completed a four-year project to investigate how LGBTQ+ individuals determine whether someone is an ally. They conducted six studies, including thousands of LGBTQ+-identified participants across the U.S., to understand the causes and effects of allyship. Based on their findings, they present three ways to be a good ally to your LGBTQ+ colleagues - and not just perform allyship.

Workplace discrimination and exclusion remain significant challenges for many workers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and for other gender/sexual orientation minorities (LGBTQ+). A 2018 survey by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation found that 46% of LGBTQ+ workers reported being closeted at work and 20% reported searching for a different job because their workplace was unwelcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. These findings show that there's still a long way to go before the standard American workplace is fully inclusive for LGBTQ+ employees. Until then, organizations risk losing talented people.

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Research: How to Be a Better Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community

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Some straight, cisgender people think of themselves as allies to the LGBTQ+ community, maybe even going so far as to self-designate as such through signage in their workspace or on their personal effects. But do LGBTQ+ individuals actually perceive them to be allies?

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This short article shows the issues that LGBTQ+ students face, what teachers should do, and why it is so important to affirm our students.

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The year 2011 was a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights. It marked the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy; New York became the sixth and largest state to allow same-sex marriage, in addition to Washington, D.C.; and then-President Barack Obama's administration declared the Defense of Marriage Act-a 15-year-old law that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman-to be unconstitutional, declining to defend the law in court.

That same year, California took a major step forward for LGBTQ+ students. The state passed the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful

Education (FAIR) Act, becoming the first state to require that K-12 schools include LGBTQ+ people in social studies and history curricula.

The change was desperately needed, says C. Scott Miller, a fifth-grade teacher in Orange County, California, who worked to pass the FAIR Act and helped review textbooks to ensure they were inclusive, based on the law.

"Everybody has a place inside of the classroom and society, and everyone has something to offer," says teacher C. Scott Miller about the benefits of California's FAIR Act.

At the time, Miller recalls, homophobic slurs were common among elementary-age students.

"Anything not considered 'normal' in someone else's eyes would be met with, 'That's so gay,' or 'no-homo,'" he says. "It was hiding in plain sight that kids were questioning the student's perceived sexual orientation or gender identity."

Lives are at stake

The impact of subtle and overt bullying, harassment, and lack of acceptance of LGBTQ+ students is a matter of life and death. According to The Trevor Project's "2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People"-which polled 28,000 LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24-some 41 percent of respondents said they seriously considered attempting suicide in the prior year.

"When students feel they are not welcome, their ability to learn and thrive diminishes," says Anthony Brisson, of NEA's Human and Civil Rights department.

"Safe, affirming, and welcoming schools are a core element of student success," he adds. "This happens only when LGBTQ+ students believe they are accepted and respected, regardless of their sexual

orientation or gender identity."

Better laws can help

The FAIR Act has made a difference, Miller says.

"There had not been any LGBTQ role models in our school material," Miller says.

After the law passed, if an elementary school book included a picture of Ellen DeGeneres, it wasn't enough to describe her as a comedian.

"Because she's a lesbian, we had to make sure people knew that," Miller says. "We made sure that anyone who was LGBTQ was labeled as an LGBTQ American. No different than African American, Mexican American, or any other group."

He adds: "When students see a person, a positive role model who looks like them in social science books, they have hope for their future, because it normalizes their experience," he says. "For other students unfamiliar with LGBTQ experiences, it helps to break down barriers."

This is especially important today, Miller says. "We're going through this very conservative wave of legislation. Our young people are going to see that ... repressing people is not a good idea, and when they're older, they'll work to change it," he says. "I have great hope for

the future."

A Timeline of Progress
Many states have followed California's lead in requiring an inclusive curriculum:
2019

New Jersey becomes the second state to require instruction that accurately portrays the contributions of LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.

Colorado and Oregon pass laws requiring inclusive curricula. Oregon's law includes LGBTQ+ people, people with diverse racial and religious identities, and other marginalized groups.

2020

Illinois and Nevada require all K-12 public schools to include LGBTQ+ contributions in state and U.S. history curricula.

2023

Vermont's Champlain Valley School District, the largest in the state, unanimously passes a policy that codifies rights for transgender students, including: A right to privacy; a right to have their names and pronouns used; and a right to access bathrooms and play in sports that match their gender identities.

Why Pronouns Matter

Pronouns affirm gender identities and create safe spaces. When an educator is misgendered-meaning they are called the wrong pronoun or honorific, such as Mr., Ms., or Mrs.-it communicates that a person's identity is not seen as important and can feel disrespectful, harmful, and even threatening to a gender-diverse person.

California teacher Lee Wygand identifies as nonbinary, transgender. For years, they have been the sole educator in their school to introduce themselves with they/them/their pronouns.

While many of their cisgender peers include pronouns in their email signatures, they do not state them at meetings. "Therefore, my pronouns are overlooked, and I'm misgendered constantly," said Wygand in an address to the 2023 NEA Representative Assembly, in July.

"This leaves me and other people who are nonbinary ... feeling marginalized when our pronouns are ignored and we're misgendered," they added.

Wygand encourages colleagues, if they're comfortable, to share pronouns in email and in meetings.

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A Path to Progress for LGBTQ+ Students | NEA

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As anti-LGBTQ+ laws and book bans grab headlines, some states are leaning in to inclusion for LGBTQ+ students

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Strategies to support LGBTQ, and all, students to be safe and thrive at school.

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Promoting School Safety for LGBTQ and All Students

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Schools are often unsafe for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students; they frequently experience negative or hostile school climates, including bullying and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender…

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This details the positive impact that caring teachers can have on mental health.

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Family impact on mental health.

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The Influence of Families on LGBTQ Youth Health: A Call to Action for Innovation in Research and Intervention Development

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other sexual and gender minority youth (LGBTQ) experience myriad health inequities relative to their cisgender heterosexual peers. Families have a profound impact on adolescent health, but…

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How to support LGBTQ+ students in math class

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Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in K-12 Mathematics

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In this article, the author discusses strategies for creating more equitable K-12 mathematics experiences for LGBTQ+ students. Strategies range from engaging in self-education, creating LGBTQ+ inclusive classroom spaces, and adopting LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum and queer pedagogy. The importance of considering school context while engaging in this work is also discussed.

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This site has resources and lessons divided by grade level.

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As an intentionally K-12 organization, we understand the importance of beginning conversations about LGBTQ people and families in elementary school.

While many LGBTQ+-inclusive school supports begin in middle or high school, it is critical for elementary schools to establish a foundation of respect and understanding for all people.

These resources can help you bring LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion to your classroom, school or district:

This resource on Elementary Visibility and Integration has best practices and recommendations to begin your advocacy

Use the common-core standardized lessons from our Ready, Set, Respect! Toolkit to teach about bullying and bias, LGBTQ+ -inclusive family diversity, and challenging gender stereotypes.

Reading the Rainbow: LGBTQ-Inclusive Literacy in the Elementary Classroom to see how other teachers have successfully implemented LGBTQ+ issues into their curriculum.

We recommend these Four Support for LGBTQ+ - Inclusive Schools: Comprehensive Policies, Supportive Educators, GSAs Clubs, and Inclusive Curriculum.

Our Gender Triangle Education Guide has helpful definitions and reflection questions for students or adults to think about gender identity and expression.

Solidarity Story Time - Molly Allis reads Viva Que Dia! Hooray, What a day!

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As an intentionally K-12 organization, we understand the importance of beginning conversations about LGBTQ people and families in elementary school. While many LGBTQ+-inclusive school supports begin in middle or high school, it is critical for elementary schools to establish a foundation of respect and understanding for all people.

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This site offers lessons to help build welcoming, affirming LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools that create a sense of belonging for all students, families and staff.

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Welcoming Schools offers comprehensive, teacher-friendly lesson plans to help educators do the important work of building welcoming, affirming LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools that create a sense of belonging for…

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This site offers a wealth of information regarding supporting LGBTQ+ students, including specific supports broken down by region.

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LGBTQIA+ Booklists and Resources

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A collection of booklists and resources that highlight the LGBTQIA+ community and experience. This list provides resources and educational materials for kids of all ages and their caregivers to promote respect and understanding, including guidance on pronouns and identities.
To recognize and celebrate the activism, culture, and history of the LGBTQIA+ community, the CBC has curated an up-to-date list of new and backlist books. This list was created in June of 2025 and we will add books throughout the year. You can also download the list as a spreadsheet!
Discover books that celebrate love in all forms and highlight LGBTQIA+ icons and activities. Allies welcome!

Young Adult and Children's Booklists

Educational Resources

And more socially inclusive booklists and resources will be coming throughout the year!

PUBLISHERS: if you wish to share your LGBTQIA+ or other socially inclusive books and resources, please email us at cbc.info@cbcbooks.org.

More

Anti-Racist Resources

Hispanic Heritage Resources

Strong Women & Real Change

Indigenous Peoples Books & Resources

Publishers Diverse Resources

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Dedicated to supporting the industry and promoting children's books and reading