# data[].attributes.body
A comprehensive list of LGBTQIA YA books with brief descriptions. This is a good resource for librarians to refer to when recommending books to students or they may want to refer students to the list directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to a list of 100 must-read LGBTQIA YA books! Yes, these are all must-reads, and no, this is definitely NOT all the queer YA books that exist. For transparency's sake, on this list there are: 32 books with lesbian characters, 33 books with bisexual+ characters, 30 with gay characters, 17 with trans characters, 5 with intersex characters, and 4 with asexual characters (yes, I know that doesn't add up to 100 because some of the books have more than one LGBTQIA character in them!). I've marked the books with the letter of the rainbow alphabet that correspond to the content so you can know which one is which.

I've only included more than one book by the same author if they are really important and groundbreaking books. As far as I know, I've included all the YA books with intersex and asexual content that exist (in English, anyway). I've omitted some trans YA written by cis authors that has been flagged by trans readers as problematic but I aimed to include every trans YA written by a trans author.

One last thing: this list includes 36 books by and about people of color (there are additional ones that feature characters of color but are by white authors), all of which have an asterisk next to them so you can easily spot them. Those books were EXTRA hard to find. This is my call on the publishing industry to PLEASE consider intersectionality when publishing LGBTQIA books and to prioritize queer and trans authors of color telling their own stories!

This is a story about two Mexican-American teen guys falling in love that's also about grief, loneliness, and being true to yourself. It has beautiful understated writing.

A candid, authentic story about a genderqueer teen growing up in rural Alberta with a strict Pentecostal family and a dad with schizophrenia. The protagonist finds solace in first love with a girl, music, and self-discovery.

As a star basketball player in her last year of high school, Nancy Takahiro's life is about to change forever. Faced with the college recruitment process and unsure of where her skill will take her, Nancy is not prepared for meeting Raina Webber, an African-American All-State shooting guard whose passion for basketball is matched only by her talent.

A classic bisexual YA book originally published in 2001, Empress of the World is about first falling in love with a girl and making awesome new friends at summer camp.

A lushly written magical realist story about standing up for who you are, When the Moon Was Ours has great complex representation of a teen trans guy and a trans woman, as well as POC (Latinas and Pakistani/Italian).

A classic published in 1990, Deliver Us from Evie is a heartfelt story about 18-year-old butch lesbian Evie, who lives in rural Missouri and is in love with the local banker's daughter.

Both a coming out story of a young Latino man's difficult relationship with an abusive father and a look at modern teenage life, from school to sports to sexuality, Afuera shows Roberto coming into his own by doing everything his tradition and culture tells him not to.

Bex is a butch lesbian teen living in a prepper, survivalist community that believes everyone needs to know how to handle a gun. Her brother's involvement with a doomsday group escalates while Bex meets a gentle, beautiful girl who hates guns.

Heartbreaking and darkly funny, Skim is about Kimberly Keiko Cameron, aka Skim, a goth Wiccan lesbian teen who's in love with her English teacher. It's also about depression and the mess at school following a classmate's suicide.

A fantasy novel filled with magic, Days of Blood & Starlight is actually the second book in the series, but it's the first one when Liraz, who unfortunately isn't the main character, is confirmed as asexual.

Set at summer camp and a fun, light read, Lunaside features a bunch of characters across the rainbow, including lesbian and asexual characters (although the ace character is minor, unfortunately!). The ace character is also biromantic.

Adaptation is a fast-paced sci fi thriller that is also about a bisexual love triangle! Reese is the bi main character she's dealing with an X-Files-esque situation with aliens as well as her feelings for a new mysterious girl and her debate team partner.

One of the few YA books with an intersex main character, None of the Above is about Kristin, a teen girl who's kind of living the dream with a college scholarship and a great boyfriend. But sleeping with her boyfriend for the first time brings her to the doctor, where she learns she's intersex.

For Lucian "Lucky" Spark, Recruitment Day means the Establishment will force him to become one of five Recruits competing to join the ruthless Imposer task force. If Lucky fails, he'll have to choose death for his 4-year-old brother. Lucky is prepared to do anything for his brother but he isn't prepared for is his attraction to the rebellious Digory Tycho, a fellow Recruit.

A groundbreaking YA novel about a trans girl by a trans woman author, If I Was Your Girl is about Amanda, the new girl in town trying to fit in and make friends. Her burgeoning relationship with Grant challenges her reserve to keep her trans status secret.

Princeless is a super fun comic about a rag-tag group of young women who are all pirates. There's a variety of queer characters, as well as POC characters, feminist humour, and quests for revenge.

Riley is one of the few gender fluid characters in YA: some days Riley feels like a boy, some days Riley feels like a girl. Over the course of the book Riley starts an anonymous blog to talk about gender: it goes viral but an unnamed person threatens to reveal Riley's real life identity.

A gorgeous, sad book about friendship and love and everything in between, Fans of the Impossible Life is centred on three teens Jeremy, Mira, and Sebby as they deal with relationships, mental illness, and the foster care system.

There's a lot of awesome stuff happening in this book narrated by teen poet Gabi: college applications, pregnancy, intersectional feminism, race, being Mexican-American, fat activism, and your parents not accepting that you're gay.

Being Emily is about a trans teen girl just coming out to her family and her girlfriend, neither of which are going super well. It's not until she gets a new trans-positive therapist and meets a new trans friend that she really feels like she can be Emily.

Max is an intersex teen who identifies as male who comes from a big secret-keeping family-keeping them from each other and the world. The story is not only a coming-of-age for Max but also about dealing with family crises.

In the post-apocalyptic future, 15-year-old Emily is a trans girl where oppression of queers, trans folks, and women is the norm. To escape a forced marriage, Emily flees across the continent to find a place where she can be the person she was meant to be.

The first in a trilogy, Pantomime is a lovely magical historical novel set in a circus in the 19 th century. The main character is intersex, bisexual, and genderqueer!

A science fiction book that speaks directly to gay conversion camps, More Happy Than Not is about 16-year-old Aaron, who is recovering from his father's suicide with the help of his mom and girlfriend who he loves. When he meets Thomas and starts to have feelings for him, he considers having a procedure to get rid of the desire.

15-year-old Aki Simon knows she's bisexual, even if so far it's been hypothetical. Along with her queer BFF Lori, Aki sets off on a summer trip where she meets the slightly older, more experienced Christa...

Pen is a butch lesbian dealing with her traditional Portuguese parents, toxic guy friends, figuring out her gender expression, and her first girlfriend. This book refreshingly allows Pen to make lots of mistakes as she slowly learns along the way.

16-year-old biracial Scotch struggles to fit in-at home she's the perfect daughter, at school she's provocatively sassy, and she doesn't feel she belongs with the Caribbeans, whites, or blacks. When the "Chaos" claims the city of Toronton, Scoth and a band of friends-including various queer characters-need to get to the bottom of the supernatural situation.

Quicksilver is the second book in this science fiction alien thriller series that will bend a lot of your expectations about this genre. The main character in Quicksilver (not the same one as in the first book) is an asexual heroine!

This novel is about a group of teens all exploring their sexual identities. Sergio is bi, but is dating his first boyfriend Lance who's gay and feeling insecure about Sergio's identity. Allie has always thought she was straight but when she meets lesbian Kimiko she starts to question her identity.

Joanna has always been an out and proud lesbian but when her family moves to a smaller conservative town in Georgia and her radio evangelist dad asks her to keep her sexuality on the down low, Joanna reluctantly agrees. When she meets an alluring girl named Mary, the sister of a new friend, it tests her reserve.

If you love bisexual characters who actually use the word bisexual, queer characters of color dating each other, geekiness, fan conventions, and realistic but adorable love stories, this book is for you.

This detailed Latinx fantasy is the first book in a series is about Alex, a bisexual bruja who doesn't actually want to be a witch. When her spell to rid herself of her powers backfires, she has to travel to Los Lagos, a strange, dangerous limbo land to rescue her family.

In the far future where Earth has been taken over by the ocean, Cassandra Leung is a trainer of the sea monsters that are trained to follow the ocean's rampant pirates. On her first trip out things go horribly wrong. But it's not all bad since it's the start of a slow-burn lesbian relationship.

In this exciting fantasy novel, criminal prodigy Kaz has to recruit a crew to take on a suicide mission in order to pull off a nearly impossible but potentially very rewarding heist. There's a refreshing diversity of race and sexualities and abilities among the crew. You can look forward to fresh twists and turns as things on the journey go very wrong.

Renowned storyteller Ivan Coyote's only book especially intended for young adults, this is a collection of true short stories for teens all over the queer and trans spectrum. Some stories are funny and heart-warming, some are tough and sad. All are very moving.

A classic that's now been made into a movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower has a major supporting gay character and is an old favourite for many teens. It's narrated by Charlie, a "wallflower" dealing with loss, suicide, drugs, new friends, and first dates.

This superhero story set in the future features bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese heroine Jessica who doesn't actually have any superpowers despite her heroic lineage. When she gets an internship with a local villain, she gets to work with her secret crush, with whom she discovers a plot bigger than the heroes and villains put together.

This Australian novel is one of the few YAs about an intersex character. Her name is Alex, a 14-year-old who's been raised as a boy but has recently decided girl is closer to the truth. Her parents don't know how to react, but Alex reinvents herself by throwing out almost all her clothes and enrolling in a new school to try out the new her.

16-year old Horace Cross is plagued by issues that hover in his impressionable spirit and take shape in his mind as loathsome demons, culminating in one night of horrible and tragic transformation. In the face of Horace's fate, his cousin Reverend James "Jimmy" Green questions the values of a community that nourishes a boy, places their hopes for salvation on him, only to deny him his destiny.

This time-traveling story features 15-year-old Jack who agrees to do an experimental treatment for epilepsy. The treatment somehow sends Jack into a whole new body-of a girl named Jacqueline-living in the early 20th century. Over time Jack starts to feel very torn between two epochs, two genders, and two lives.

When Suzette comes home to LA from boarding school on the east coast and tries to settle into her old life, she ends up supporting her stepbrother Lionel who was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and falling in love...with the same girl Lionel loves. Yay for a black, bisexual, Jewish main character!

In this darkly hilarious novel, Allison Lee is about to start college and is hoping for a fresh start and to never be burned in love again (literally or figuratively). When she meets Shar, a charismatic but toxic girl at school, the question becomes not if she'll get burned again but how badly.

I'll Give You the Sun stars twins Jude and Noah. The story begins as shy Noah is falling in love with the boy next door and outgoing Jude had daredevil adventures. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking...

Coda is a fast-paced science fiction dystopia is about an 18-year-old bisexual guy named Anthem. This is a well-written story is about a corporate technologically driven society where music is used to control the population and Anthem has music flowing in his veins.

The first book in the ghetto goddess series, Brew is about a mother and a daughter: Arjana, a black trans teen witch, and Bembe a mysterious infamous figure in the magical community.

This delightful court fantasy novel is about two very different princesses slowly falling in love and working together to find the culprit of a shocking assassination and to uncover the sinister political plot about to undermine the kingdom.

This lovable novel is about 13-year-old Peter and set in small town Ontario in the 80s. The novel resists the idea of setting Peter's gender identity or sexuality in stone, investigates fatphobia, and is really funny.

A fantasy novel featuring a ragtag crew of diverse-in terms of race, gender, and sexuality-pirates on a mission to raise a mysterious sunken island. This book has a positive, present relationship between a teen girl and her mom, who are both mages!

This trans YA is one of the few that isn't focused on transition. It's about Gabe, a trans guy who's a DJ living in the Midwest and his relationships with the various people in his life are at the centre of the novel.

Two Boys Kissing is a well-known gay YA for a reason, because of its unique structure: it's the story of two boys trying to set a new Guinness world record for the longest kiss narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.

Money Boy is about Ray, who's a first generation immigrant to Canada from China still feeling like a fish out of water. Things get really bad when his dad finds out he's gay. He gets kicked out and heads for downtown Toronto, where he encounters homelessness, theft, and prostitution.

A fast-paced dystopian tale reminiscent of the Matrix that overturns all the tropes of the genre and features a gay main character of color where his sexuality is not the plot point! Lots of good, deep stuff here about crime, government control, and moral grey areas.

A lesbian classic first published in 1982, Annie on My Mind has staying power. At its core it's a love story of Liza and Annie, whose friendship blossoms to love and leads them to have to deal with homophobia from family and their schools.

18-year-old Tally is one of those people who's really sure about everything in her life, so she's totally blindsided when a sudden discovery leads her on a journey where she meets Maddy, an enigmatic and beautiful girl who will unlock the door to her future.

This novel set in a richly described 80s Sri Lanka is a gay teen Amrith's sexual awakening with a subplot about a school play of Othello. Jealousy is a major theme in Othello and it also rears its ugly head in Amrith's story as he and all the girls in his town are enchanted with his visiting Canadian cousin.

An amazingly inventive science fiction book that questions what exactly human is, Big Big Sky is a hella queer story about a group of girls who are brain-washed assassins escaping, surviving, some of them becoming post-human and all of them kicking lots of ass.

Fitzgerald's graphic memoir is very nostalgically 90s, full of cultural references like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and teen girl sleepover stuff like séances and Bloody Mary. It's also a bisexual coming out story.

With two unlikely companions, a heartless cat and a self-destructive Neo Goth lesbian, reincarnated villain Gee must fight the monstrous and the horrific-and, most difficult of all, he must overcome his own propensity for evil.

Danny Tozer has a problem: she just inherited the powers of Dreadnought, the world's greatest superhero, which has also made her appear to the world as the girl she's always known she was. She doesn't have much time to adjust, as she has to find Dreadnought's murderer before humanity is extinguished.

Set in a home for children like the Narnia kids or Alice in Wonderland who slipped into fantasy worlds and had to come back to the real one, Every Heart a Doorway also has a plethora of queers including most notably an asexual character!

This classic about a teen boy, Melanin Sun, discovering that his mother is in a relationship with a woman was first released in 1995. Should he stand by his mother even though it could mean losing his friends? Should he abandon the only family he's ever known?

Another Kind of Cowboy is full of Susan Juby's characteristic wit. It stars Alex, a teen growing up on Vancouver Island who just wishes everyone would get that he wants to be a gay cowboy.

One of the few YA novels about a fat queer character, Fat Angie is a darkly comic anti-romantic romance that deals with the Iraq war and suicide in addition to fat and lesbian issues.

A + E 4ever is a graphic novel with genderqueer content. It's a frank depiction of two teens Asher and Eulalie with the usual teen drama made fresh by the way the blurry lines of gender and sexuality are front and centre.

No list of queer YA would be complete without Julie Anne Peters. With a steady boyfriend, the position of Student Council President, and a chance to go to an Ivy League college, high school life is just fine for Holland Jaeger. But when Cece Goddard comes to school, everything changes. Cece and Holland have undeniable feelings for each other.

This classic tale of opposites-attract lesbian love set in New Zealand was first published in 1997 and stars Willa and Louie, young women who fall in love fast and furiously. Everything the girls are sure of - their plans, their faith, their families, their identities - is called into question...

18-year-old James lives in twenty-first-century Manhattan, but he's more at home in the faraway worlds of Eric Rohmer or Anthony Trollope. This sense of dislocation is complicated by his growing infatuation with a handsome male colleague at the art gallery his mother owns.

This lesbian coming out story is about high-school junior Leila, a Persian-American teen who finally gets her first crush on the sophisticated, beautiful new girl at her school, Saskia.

A beautiful historical novel set in the 1920s, Silhouette of a Sparrow has effortless yet beautiful writing, an authentic and lovable young heroine, a subtle and moving lesbian romance, and an environmentalist sub-plot.

A verse novel about a genderqueer teen Brendan Chase, who seems to have it pretty easy. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls?

Otherbound is a fantasy page-turner starring bisexual character Amara, who is never alone. Not when she's protecting the cursed princess she unwillingly serves. She can't be alone, because a boy Nolan from another world experiences all that alongside her, looking through her eyes.

Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn't sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that's going to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing.

To solve the environmental crisis sweeping their world, Kaede and Taisin, two 17-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. With opposite skills, they balance each other as they travel farther and farther into unknown territories and fall in love.

Andrew Brawley was supposed to die that night. His parents did, and so did his sister, but he survived. Now he lives in the hospital. Then one night Rusty is wheeled into the ER, in whom Drew sees hope, happiness, and a future for both of them.

Boy Meets Boy is adorable cheerful story set in a high school that is basically an LGBTQ+ utopia, with characters across the spectrum, including a drag queen star quarterback. At its essence, this is a gay romantic comedy in book form.

What if you get kicked out of the house and lose all your friends and everyone you love? Will you turn the corner into a world filled with unusual friends and create a new kind of family or self-destruct? This coming out story is situated in the Cuban-American community in Miami.

This coming out story manages to transcend the tropes and also show why these stories are still so necessary. It's the story of Cameron, whose parents die the afternoon she kisses her first girl, and her journey of discovering her lesbian sexuality in small town Montana.

Two girls-anti-establishment Jessie and Emily, vice president of the student council-have nothing in common, except the passionate "private time" they share every Tuesday afternoon. When they find themselves on opposite sides of a heated school conflict, they each have to decide what's more important: what you believe in, or the one you love?

Who wouldn't want to read about a bisexual Asian-American girl who goes undercover to infiltrate an all-male, historically elite a cappella group called the Sharps? It turns out that Jordan Sun, Tenor 1, is exactly what the Sharps are looking for.

16-year-old Sana Kiyohara has too many secrets, one being how she might have a crush on her best friend and another being she knows her dad is having an affair. When Sana and her family move to California she begins to wonder if it's finally time for some honesty, about her sexuality and her dad.

This gay YA classic is about four queer teen guys who are all in the closet. But after a while, the truth's too hard to hide - at least from each other - so they form the "Geography Club." Nobody else will come. Why would they want to? Their secret should be safe.

Etta is tired of dealing with the labels: not gay enough for the Dykes, her ex-clique, thanks to being bi; not tiny and white enough for ballet; and not sick enough to look anorexic (partially thanks to recovery). Etta doesn't fit anywhere- until she meets Bianca, the straight, white, Christian, and seriously sick girl in her therapy group.

Pink is a smart novel about internalized biphobia. Ava Simpson is trying on a whole new image. Stripping the black dye from her hair, she heads off to a new school, leaves her girlfriend behind, and tries to fit in with the preppy kids. Eventually Ava starts to notice that her shiny reinvented life is far more fragile than she imagined.

This gay YA classic is about 3 teenage boys coming of age and out of the closet. Alex Sanchez follows these very different high-school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and ultimately, friendship.

The last thing in the world Thom wants is to add to his father's pain. He can't bear to tell him that he's been asked to join the League - the very organization of superheroes that spurned his dad. But the most painful secret of all is one Thom can barely face himself: he's gay.

J always felt different. He was certain that eventually everyone would understand who he really was; a boy mistakenly born as a girl. But after being deserted by the best friend he thought would always be by his side, J decides that he's done hiding - it's time to be who he really is. Featuring a biracial Latino trans guy!

Welcome to the spring of 1987 and the world of Stephen Shulevitz who, with three months of high school to go in the small town of Riverside, Nova Scotia, has just realised he's fallen in love - with exactly the wrong person: his best guy friend. Welcome to the end of the world.

Aidan Lockwood feels like he's been sleepwalking through life. But when his former best friend, Jarrod, suddenly moves back to town, the veil that has clouded Aidan's mind begins to lift. Yet what Aidan discovers is that his world is haunted by stories of the past; stories that he has somehow been prevented from remembering.

Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she's fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she's destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. As Ramona falls back in love with swimming, her feelings for returned childhood friend Freddie begin to shift too, which is the last thing she expected.

Set in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60s, this book is narrated by Marci Cruz, an 11-year-old Latina who fervently wishes for two things: one, for God to turn her into a boy, because she has a crush on an older girl named Raquel, and two, for Eddie her abusive father to disappear.

Tretch lives in a conservative Christian small town where everybody's in everybody else's business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend and to have a family that has no idea who he really is. The problem with living a lie is that the lie can slowly become your life.

A quiet, contemplative book about Stagerlee, a 13-year-old girl trying to find her place in the world. Even before questioning her sexuality, Stagerlee has felt different as the daughter of an interracial marriage in an all-black town. One summer, Stagerlee's older cousin Trout comes to stay, and Trout's openness about queer sexuality moves Stagerlee to imagine what her future might hold.

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight.

Marin hasn't spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth. Not even her best friend and ex-girlfriend, Mabel. Now, months later, Mabel is coming to visit, and Marin will be forced to face everything that's been left unsaid about her lost love, loneliness, and her grandfather's death.

Mooncakes Issue One by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu* (BT)

Long-lost childhood crushes Nova Huang and Tam Lang have reunited for the first time in ten years. They have a lot more to deal with this time than just being the only two Asian kids in school (who also happen to both have magical abilities). They also struggle through bills, family, and weird horse demons in ways that only a witch and a werewolf can. Also a webcomic!

In the midst of the lush city in futuristic Brazil, shimmering with tech and tradition, June Costa creates art. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, who the whole city falls in love with. Together, with a cast of all POC and multiple bisexual characters, June and Enki will make art and rebel.

16-year-old bisexual teen Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

Genderqueer 15-year-old Kivali has never fit in. As a girl in boys' clothes, she is accepted by neither tribe, bullied by both. Is it true what her adopted mom says, that Kivali was left by a mysterious race of saurians and that she'll one day save the world? If it is, then why was she sent off to CropCamp, a gov-controlled society Kivali isn't sure has good intentions?

From the forests, beaches, and Xicano community of Santa Cruz to the smoky punk bars, strip clubs, and queer-girl culture of San Francisco, these are the stories of Missy Fuego, an 18-year-old Xicana, the first in her family to leave home and accept a scholarship at a prestigious university.

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to a list of 100 must-read LGBTQIA YA books! Yes, these are all must-reads, and no, this is definitely NOT all the queer YA books that exist.

# data[].attributes.body
This article talks about the difference educators can make in the lives of LGBTQ youth. The article has guides for implementing LGBTQ-visibility into the curriculum, lesson plans, helpful kits, professional development resources, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Supportive educators save students' lives. Having just one visibly supportive educator in a school can ensure that LGBTQ students feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged to learn.

Show your support by displaying a Safe Space sticker and poster in your classroom. Learn how to discuss bullying, gender roles, or family diversity with elementary-aged students. Include positive representation of LGBTQ people in your curriculum. Inspire your students of all ages and all identities to be kind, support others, and speak up when they see bullying.

GLSEN's education team has created educator guides for each of our days of action, along with other resources for increasing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation in any curriculum. While GLSEN celebrates these days of action nationally at specific times during the year, all of our lessons, resources, and activities found here can be implemented at any time.

Check out the resources in the sections below for specific guides and tools related to GLSEN programs, days of action and more!

Join the thousands of educators who are helping GLSEN change schools across the country.

As a member of the GLSEN Educator Network, you'll receive emails that highlight GLSEN's resources and provide up-to-date information on GLSEN research. You will also receive current information on LGBTQ events and celebrations to help you plan for and implement a more inclusive curriculum, including direct information and new resources for GLSEN days of action like Solidarity Week.

Register to receive free GSA & school resources.

Join a national movement creating inclusive schools for all.

Educator Guides

Looking for ways to support Solidarity Week or the Day of Silence? Interested in finding ways to bring LGBTQ-visibility into your curriculum? You've come to the right place!

GLSEN's education team has created educator guides for each of our Days of Action, along with other resources for increasing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation into any curriculum. While GLSEN celebrates these Days of Action nationally at specific times throughout the year, the lessons, resources, and activities found here can be implemented at any time.

Check out the resources below for specific guides and tool related to GLSEN programs, days of action and more! Ready to supplement your curriculum? Explore our LGBTQ-Inclusive and Bullying, Bias & Diversity lesson plans.

Educator Guides and Resources

Policy and Advocacy Resources

Lesson Plans

Implementing GLSEN's free lesson plans and resources can help students develop the skills to interact in our diverse world with greater respect, empathy, and understanding.

Incorporate our lessons, found below, to:

Foster respect and understanding

Promote LGBTQ visibility and affirmation

Improve school climate

Build leadership

Encourage ally behavior

Ready for LGBTQ-specific lessons? Explore GLSEN's LGBTQ-inclusive curricular resources.

Teachers can be that figure you look up to. And when they are accepting of you, it means the world to you. To know that you're ok and that they are there for you. - Ximena, 9th grade

When educators are visibly supportive of LGBTQ students, everyone benefits. Through our Chapter-based Professional Development program, GLSEN offers tools and resources to thousands of educators who seek to make their classrooms and schools a safe place for all students. Based on 25+ years of experience and research, GLSEN boasts a robust educator training program with a series of modules curated to cover an array of topics suitable for a diverse range of audiences.

GLSEN research shows that the presence of supportive educators can have a significant positive impact on LGBTQ students' academic achievement, as well as on their psychological well-being and long-term educational aspirations. GLSEN Professional Development aims to empower educators to act in allyship with LGBTQ students.

Our Professional Development Workshops will assist educators in building the following skills:

Knowledge of LGBTQ student experiences in school

Understanding what allyship can provide for LGBTQ students

Awareness of the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ language and behavior in schools

Willingness and ability to intervene when anti-LGBTQ name-calling and bullying occurs

Willingness and ability to utilize curriculum inclusive of LGBTQ people, history and themes

Willingness to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ students and ensure safe schools for all

Access to resources and referral

NOTE: For GLSEN Professional Development Workshops, the term "educator" includes, but is not limited to: Current or future K-12 Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Paraprofessionals, Librarians, Nurses, Bus Drivers, District Staff, School Resource Officers, Cafeteria Workers, etc
To bring GLSEN Professional Development to your school, please fill out the following form.

Safe Space Kit

Educators like you can make a big difference for LGBTQ students. Just one gesture can change a student's life for the better: Put up a Safe Space Sticker in your classroom to start a conversation about acceptance and affirming LGBTQ identity.

GLSEN's Safe Space Kit provides you with practical ways to transform your school into a safer space for everyone, particularly LGBTQ students, by supporting and educating students, sharing your knowledge with other educators and advocating for school-wide changes. The Safe Space Kit not only guides you through making an assessment of your school's climate and recommends affirming policies and best practices, but also outlines strategies that you may use to advocate for change, including posting a Safe Space Sticker or Safe Space Poster in your classroom or office. You can purchase them in the GLSEN Shop, or download digital copies for free here.

GLSEN Chapters also offer professional development opportunities that include our Safe Space Kit and support educators in creating safer and more affirming learning environments.

Rainbow Library

The Rainbow Library is a GLSEN program that sends LGBTQ+ affirming text sets to schools across the country - for free.

Any full-time staff member at a K-12 school in a participating state or county is welcome to request a Rainbow Library. All types of K-12 schools are eligible: district, magnet, charter, and independent. Each school that applies will be eligible for one Rainbow Library text set, and sets are provided on a first-come, first served basis.

Founded 25 years ago, GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students. GLSEN has volunteer-run chapters in 31 states.

School Year Calendar

The school year is full of opportunities to participate in GLSEN events, address LGBTQ and social justice issues, learn about diverse communities, and take action to create safer and more affirming schools for all.

Use this calendar to schedule your GSA meetings, lesson plans, student events, and staff development workshops, and as part of your ongoing diversity, equity, and LGBTQ-inclusion efforts. Follow us @GLSEN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we'll be sharing related resources and lesson plans for these events throughout the year.

Misgendering, Gender Terminology & Pronouns

Misgendering hurts. Support educators by teaching students how to respect each others' pronouns and bringing awareness to a wider range of gender terminology.

As a class and in small groups, students watch a video about pronouns, have a conversation about pronouns, and discuss misgendering. As a class, students discuss ways to combat misgendering and how they can make sure the gender pronouns of all students are respected.

For all of us, learning an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum can help us better understand our world and our differences. For LGBTQ students in particular, it can mean feeling safer at school and hearing homophobic and transphobic remarks less frequently, according to GLSEN research. Looking back at history is the easiest way to get LGBTQ-inclusivity into any curriculum. That's why we're sharing our resources below, which include an interactive timeline and coloring book as well as many other classroom resources suitable for a range of students ages K-12.

Recognizing these benefits, former GLSEN Chapter leader Rodney Wilson, with the support of GLSEN's founder Kevin Jennings and many others, founded LGBTQ History Month in October 1994. While you can use these resources every October, they're perfect for use all year, so that students see the benefits year round.

A great resource you can use to learn and teach about LGBTQ history is Making Gay History, the critically acclaimed and award-winning podcast that brings LGBTQ history to life through the voices of the people who lived it. Listen to the podcasts below to hear about the lives and legacies of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were participants in the New York Stonewall riots in 1969.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Supportive educators save students' lives. Having just one visibly supportive educator in a school can ensure that LGBTQ students feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged to learn. Show your support by displaying a Safe Space sticker and poster in your classroom. Learn how to discuss bullying, gender roles, or family diversity with elementary-aged students.

# data[].attributes.body
This article provides educators with multiple lesson plans and tool kits to take advantage of while working with LGBTQ youth and forming a safe environment for all.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lesson Plans and Tool Kits | Safe @ School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pride Education Network BC - 2004 This excellent resource includes many practical lesson plans for students from K-12, as well as a rationale on why schools need to teach about sexual orientation. Also contains a comprehensive background section on homophobia and heterosexism and supporting students by starting a gay-straight alliance.

# data[].attributes.body
A list of exercises that teachers and librarians can use as ice breakers, to generate discussions, activities and to develop full LGBTQ-centered programs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Educational Activities | LGBT Resource Center | USC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Below are LGBT educational exercises that anyone can utilize as ice breakers, generate discussions, activities or even create a full program around.

# data[].attributes.headline
Resources for an LGBTQ and Gender Inclusive School

# data[].attributes.subject
Resources for an LGBTQ and Gender Inclusive School

# data[].attributes.body
This webpage presents a well-rounded list of articles for educators who are looking to forge a welcoming library environment as well as designing LGBTQ lessons, providing LGBTQ resources and communicating with LGBTQ youth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is An LGBTQ-Inclusive School? | Welcoming Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Using an LGBTQ-inclusive framework, educators can identify key areas of improvement to create safe learning spaces for all students. Here are some hallmarks of LGBTQ-inclusive schools.

# data[].attributes.body
This article suggests resources for both teens and college students dealing with discrimination and bullying. The article provides guidance for educators on how to create a safe and overall LGBTQ-friendly learning environment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Accredited Schools Online: Find Top-Rated Accredited Programs Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Meet the Experts
Dr. Deb Cohan
Dr. Deb Cohan, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of South Carolina Beaufort with a specialization in Gender Studies. Former Board of Directors member at PFLAG.
Eugene Patron
Eugene Patron serves as the communications and marketing director for the Point Foundation. He focuses on creating connections and awareness and building support for a variety of causes and communities.

Introduction

According to the National School Climate Report, 86 percent of LGBTQ youth reported being harassed at school, compared to 27 percent of students overall. School years can be challenging for all students, yet those who identify as LGBTQ often face additional pressures or concerns. Within this guide, LGBTQ students can find resources and information about support systems available to help them navigate both high school and college environments.

A Safe Place to Learn

Incidents can take many forms, including physical harassment, emotional or mental abuse, stronger violence, or discrimination. As the Internet has grown to include the use of various social media platforms, cyber bullying has become an issue. Bullying Statistics found that 42 percent of LGBTQ youth have experienced cyber bullying, a rate three times higher than other students.

There is hope to shift the tide; GLSEN found that half of all youth don't understand that discriminatory language is hurtful, nor do they realize the negative consequences their words have specifically on LGBTQ youth. A few things everyone can do to maximize support for LGBTQ teens and college students include:

Create a supportive community

1 Many schools have student or faculty-led groups that champion and empower the LGBTQ community and align them with straight allies. These groups often promote advocacy and education for the larger student body and provide an outlet for socializing, finding support and encouragement, and talking about the challenges faced on and off campus.

LGBTQ students are also encouraged to seek out mentors on their campus who can not only speak to higher administration on their behalf, but also provide a listening ear and an older voice on the challenges they commonly face.

Create a supportive school campus

2 As further statistics and research emerge about the damaging effects of LGBTQ discrimination on school campuses, many are taking an active stance against prejudiced behavior. Whether enacting policies and disciplinary protocol for those who engage in this behavior or educating all students about the importance of equal rights for all students, a number of colleges are leading the charge in shifting thought and action. These institutions often have LGBTQ offices that encourage student advocacy, alumni relations, media awareness, and faculty support. These organizations may also hose events to educate the wider campus and provide counseling services to students facing discrimination. Advocate pulled together a list of the Top 10 trans-friendly colleges in America.

Build outside resources

3 Outside of campus-based programs and offices, there are many local community and online resources that help to create more welcoming learning and living environments for LGBTQ students. Whether operating as a national organization with local chapters or an individual center, these programs will often work alongside colleges to help students find housing, employment, and healthcare services.

LGBTQ Resources for All Students

In addition to numerous LGBTQ organizations focused on particular age groups, many general programs and initiatives exist, which seek to bolster community, encourage positive dialog, and ultimately security greater equality. Some of the best nationally recognized initiatives are listed in this section.

CenterLink
Founded with the mission to build sustainable LGBTQ community centers, this organization now has over 200 locations in 46 states and five countries. Aside from strengthening local LGBTQ communities, the organization also provides networking, technical assistance and training, and capacity building services.

GLAAD
With a national focus on leading conversations about equality for the LGBTQ community and informing the media narrative, this organization works with news and entertainment media of all formats and communications and digital strategy outlets to ensure the public is provided with powerful stories about the LGBTQ community that advocates for greater equality.

Gay & Lesbian International Sport Association
With an international reach, GLISA brings together international sports federations, human rights organizations, associations representing sport teams, clubs from major regions, and other stakeholders to facilitate partnerships for building bridges between sports and the LGBTQ community.

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
GLSEN's mission is simple: to ensure every member of school communities feel respected, regardless of their sexual orientation. This is accomplished through educating teachers, students and the public about the common pressures faced by LGBTQ students and working to remove barriers to success.

Get Equal
GE focuses on equipping the LGBTQ community and their allies to fight against inequalities and to push for progressive change. Whether organizing direct action efforts, hosting local community meetings, training members in tactics of direct action or providing professional consulting, the organization is committed to continuously fighting for equality.

Human Rights Campaign
HRC is the largest organization fighting for the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. The organization currently has over 1.5 million members, all focused on making true equality for all possible. The organization has a number of research publications outlining equality indexes on areas such as healthcare, employers, states and corporations.

Matthew Shepard Foundation
By erasing hate and building compassionate and accepting communities, the Matthew Shepard Foundation hopes to empower LGBTQ individuals to challenge and address discriminatory behavior in their schools, neighborhoods and homes.

National Center for Transgender Equality
Identifying as America's premier social justice advocacy organization for transgender individuals, NCTE works at the federal, state and local levels to leverage political capital and change laws encouraging discriminatory behavior. The organization has a particularly helpful "Know Your Rights" section of their website with information on housing, healthcare, employment, and more.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Since 1973, NGLTF has focused on building the political capital of the LGBTQ community through activist training, advancing pro-LGBT legislation and raising the profile of LGBTQ interests and causes. The organization is also an excellent resource for learning about the beliefs and platforms of those running for public office in regards to LGBTQ interests.

PFLAG
Through support, education and advocacy efforts, PFLAG seeks to unite the LGBTQ community with friends, families and allies. By doing so, the organization hopes to further equality efforts and lessen discriminatory practices. Currently, there are more than 350 chapters and over 200,000 members.

TransYouth Family Allies
TYFA is focused on supporting children and families to create support systems offering encouragement and acceptance regardless of sexual orientation. Main areas of work include educating the public about discrimination, working to eliminate oppression and violence, and forming alliances to ensure support services are in place for LGBTQ individuals.

The organization has a number of outreach initiatives and resources to accomplish this mission.

LGBTQ Teens

Research has shown that LGBTQ students, no matter their level of education, have historically faced higher levels of discrimination than their straight peers. These numbers tend to be at their highest during the middle and high school years. A groundbreaking report by the Human Rights Campaign found that LGBTQ youth are twice as likely to have been physically assaulted, kicked or shoved at school. Meanwhile, 92 percent of LGBTQ students say they hear negative messages about being LGBTQ. Top sources for negative comments include school, the Internet and fellow students.

No student should ever have to experience discrimination or negative behavior, regardless of their sexual orientation. This becomes increasingly important as students start thinking about post-secondary options. A recent report found that nearly 14 percent of LGBTQ students who receive frequent verbal harassment decide not to go to college. Fortunately, many people believe this and countless organizations are working on behalf of LGBTQ teens to ensure these behaviors are eradicated over time. It's working: 77 percent of LGBTQ youth said they know things will get better. Below, students and their allies can find helpful resources and information to support them through these years.

The Attic Youth Center
This Philadelphia-based organization is an excellent example of how LGBTQ youth centers can empower and inspire local teens that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. Some of the services offered include life skills, mental health counseling, supportive programs, community engagement, and social activities. AYC also provides a number of resources at both the local and national level.

Gay Straight Alliance Networks
GSAs are student run clubs operating in both high school and middle schools that provide support, socialization, and activism activities for LGBTQ youth. The overarching goal is to fight against homophobia and transphobia; providing leadership and activist training for group members and encouraging them to advocate for nondiscriminatory policies and greater equality accomplishes this.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth and Student Organization
IGLYO is an internationally focused advocacy and activism organization focused on representing the interests of LGBTQ youth. To accomplish this mission, the organization hosts conferences, provides educational materials, and offers the general public many opportunities to get involved.

It Gets Better Project
The mission of the IGB Project is to give LGBT youth across the world hope that things do get better. In response to raised incidents of students committing suicide after being bullied in school, syndicated columnist Dan Savage created the organization to provide both inspiration and resources, including pledges and educational videos.

The Trevor Project
With suicide rates noticeably higher among LGBTQ youth than their straight peers, the mission of The Trevor Project is incredibly important. By providing a 24/7-crisis intervention service, online community, and educational programs, the organization seeks to be both life saving and life-affirming.

YouthPride
Since 2009, this organization has prevented 151 LGBTQ youth suicides through innovative programming and excellent resources. Whether offering daily after school activities or support and discussion groups, the Atlanta-based organization engages youth and empowers them to advocate for themselves. The organization also provides counseling and free HIV testing.

Local LGBTQ Centers

In addition to the larger organizations listed above, there are various LGBTQ Centers focused on serving local communities. Whether offering afterschool programs, counseling, mentoring, empowerment services or advocacy initiatives, these organizations provide crucial care at a pivotal time. These centers also frequently work with local schools to help create safer places for LGBTQ students to learn. Before visiting a center, students may have questions about their services. Some of these may include:

Create a supportive community

Many schools have student or faculty-led groups that champion and empower the LGBTQ community and align them with straight allies. These groups often promote advocacy and education for the larger student body and provide an outlet for socializing, finding support and encouragement, and talking about the challenges faced on and off campus.
LGBTQ students are also encouraged to seek out mentors on their campus who can not only speak to higher administration on their behalf, but also provide a listening ear and an older voice on the challenges they commonly face.

Create a supportive school campus

As further statistics and research emerge about the damaging effects of LGBTQ discrimination on school campuses, many are taking an active stance against prejudiced behavior. Whether enacting policies and disciplinary protocol for those who engage in this behavior or educating all students about the importance of equal rights for all students, a number of colleges are leading the charge in shifting thought and action. These institutions often have LGBTQ offices that encourage student advocacy, alumni relations, media awareness, and faculty support. These organizations may also hose events to educate the wider campus and provide counseling services to students facing discrimination. Advocate pulled together a list of the Top 10 trans-friendly colleges in America.

Build outside resources

Outside of campus-based programs and offices, there are many local community and online resources that help to create more welcoming learning and living environments for LGBTQ students. Whether operating as a national organization with local chapters or an individual center, these programs will often work alongside colleges to help students find housing, employment, and healthcare services.

INTERVIEW

with Expert DR. DEB COHAN

Dr. Deb Cohan, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of South Carolina Beaufort with a specialization in Gender Studies. Former Board of Directors member at PFLAG.

Do you have advice for LGBTQ students on finding supporting and encouraging environments?

Because of the social change work of tireless LGBTQ activists and their straight allies, we are living at a time that is most ripe and ready for conversation. Ask questions, get curious, share your curiosity, and be prepared to be surprised as to how and where you might find allies. Also, seek out the GSA at your school, and look into your local PFLAG organization. In this day and age of social media, you will also find support in chat rooms and on websites with people living across the globe. With that said, think globally and act locally and keep up your involvement in your own community.

Do not be afraid to seek counseling so you have a safe, open, and trustworthy space to talk with a trained therapist, preferably one who specifies that s/he is friendly to these issues.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you can so your health issues can be addressed holistically.

Self-loathing, isolation, self-injury, and suicidal thoughts are sadly common among high schoolers and college students and especially so among LGBTQ youth.

How can schools promote LGBTQ acceptance through curricula?

Teachers and professors can assign reading by some of the great LGBTQ writers of our time. Some write about LGBTQ identity while others write about other subject matter. Often, these are great springboards for discussion on intersectionality and the connections between gender, sexuality, race, and class.

Teachers and professors can also host film screenings and invite guest speakers who highlight these issues from their own personal and professional experiences; these activities must be followed by spirited, lively, open and honest discussions. I do this all the time in my own classrooms. It not only creates a safe space for LGBTQ students but it creates expansive space for straight students. I have had a number of students tell me that after my class, they would be okay if they have a child who is gay-this is hugely transformative considering that they entered the class admittedly homophobic.

What are some of the best programs/initiatives you've seen in this arena for building acceptance?

LGBTQ College Students

In addition to balancing coursework, navigating new social situations and possibly trying to work during their studies, LGBTQ college students may encounter unique challenges while undertaking their education. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that one in five college students fear for their physical safety due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. The good news is that many colleges across the nation are actively fighting to end discrimination on-campus and engender a spirit of acceptance and respect among all students, faculty and staff members.

The Campus Pride Index

Founded in 2001, Campus Pride has becoming the leading national organization for promoting safe college environments by developing student leaders and campus groups. What once started as an online community and center has now grown into a massive effort that has taken root on college campuses across the nation.

One of the most significant resources provided by the organization is the LGBTQ-Friendly Campus Pride Index. This guide is used to measure LGBTQ qualify of life across college and university campuses and promote better practices and open dialog. It also helps postsecondary institutions become more LGBTQ-friendly. According to the organization, "LGBTQ-friendly" describes a learning environment that is inclusive, welcoming and respectful for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

The Index has identified eight factors contributing to an overall LGBTQ-friendly college environment:
8 Factors Contributing to an Overall LGBTQ-Friendly College Environment
Curricula & Courses: LGBTQ-Inclusive Academics

Aside from LGBTQ Centers and student-led groups, colleges and universities can promote LGBTQ awareness and acceptance through academics, as well. Some of the best practices include:

1 Create inclusive lesson plans with positive examples of notable LGBTQ leaders. Fordham University provides an excellent resource to all faculty members that outlines LGBTQ teaching recommendations. Some of their suggestions include:

Challenge heterosexist assumptions

Don't use us/them terminology; be inclusive

Use LGBTQ writers, academics, scientists, and business leaders as examples of positive contributions throughout the course.

Increase the visibility of LGBTQ role models and allies

Make all students, regardless of sexual orientation, feel valued

2 Offer degree programs covering gender, sexuality, diversity, and queer history and culture. A number of schools have courses and degrees that explore the spectrum of human sexuality. Some of the most interesting include:
Majors Individual Courses

Multidisciplinary approaches to LGBTQ Health

Socio-cultural and historical dimensions of the LGBTQ community

Queer theory

Sex and gender in cross-cultural perspective

The sexual politics of religion

Key College Resources for LGBTQ Students

Aside from academic inclusion of LGBTQ topics and positive perspectives, many campuses have various other types of support systems available for LGBTQ students. Some of these include:
LGBTQ Resource Centers
Because LGBTQ students can often face unique challenges, they need unique support and resources. Colleges and universities throughout the nation now often have centers dedicated specifically to LGBTQ needs. Students can find a safe place to locate resources, support, information, and care. In addition to direct services, these departments often host various campus events to foster community, promote education of LGBTQ topics, and promote health and wellness for all students.
Online Social Media and Discussion Resources
Today's students constantly use the Internet in a variety of ways. Universities have picked up on this trend and many now offer online forums for discussion and support, and the latest information on current news and issues within the LGBTQ community. In most cases, these forums are private and can only be accessed with proper and valid school logins.
Faculty and Staff Education Programs
Academics lead the charge in ensuring all students, regardless of sexual orientation, feel safe, valued and empowered in their classrooms. Universities now offer training and many resources to ensure faculty and staff are well-informed about inclusion of LGBTQ topics and are sensitive to discrimination.
LGBTQ Campus Events
Campus wide events deigned to celebrate and empower LGBTQ students and their allies are a great way to educate the larger campus community about LGBTQ interests. Many LGBTQ Resource Centers will host a variety of events throughout the school year. George Mason University provides a great example of a rotating event schedule. Some of their upcoming events include Pride Week, National Coming Out Day and Safe Zone Training. The school also hosts book reading groups from LGBTQ authors and scholarships for LGBTQ students.
Special On-Campus or Campus-Sponsored Housing Issues
Students have enough on their plates without worrying about feeling comfortable in their living space. Many universities provide options specifically designated for LGBTQ students, be they shared dormitory rooms, suite-style apartments, or gender-neutral accommodations. Numerous schools have also begun creating all gender bathroom facilities to ensure further inclusivity.

Other Online Resources

LGBTQ students have enough on their plates navigating the usual pressures of college life without having to worry about feeling safe or discriminated against. Resources and organizations aimed at LGBTQ college students are crucial for educating, informing, advocating, and providing resources. Some of the best organizations serving LGBTQ college students and their allies are listed below:

Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity
The DLP Fraternity was established for gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning men in 1986. Today, the Greek life organization has over 30 chapters spread throughout the country. The chapters seek to form bonds of brotherhood within a decidedly nontraditional group, offering opportunities to lead, grow, and form lifelong friendships.

Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority
Established as the first national lesbian sorority, today this Greek life organization strives to be inclusive of all members, regardless of their sexual orientation. The enduring focus is on creating a sisterhood built on truth in tolerance, knowledge through diversity, bonds of unity, and strength in trust.

Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
Since 1997, this organization has been working with colleges and educators across the nation to create learning environments where LGBTQ students have equality in all respects. Whether supporting academics or developing inclusive curriculum, the organization advocates on behalf of students by educating faculty and staff.

Reaching Out
Reaching Out MBA was created specifically for LGBTQ students pursuing Master's in Business Administration as a way of empowering and supporting them in their studies and as they enter the professional world. With a mission of inspiring these students to lead the way in equality, the organization educates students about the challenges and opportunities of being an LGBTQ MBA student, inspires them to be leaders, and builds connections among other LGBTQ MBA students.

The Point Foundation
The Point Foundation operates as a national LGBTQ scholarship fund, helping LGBTQ students achieve their academic and leadership potential regardless of obstacles. The biggest obstacle this organization seeks to remove is concern about financing a college education. Students with financial need who can demonstrate their aspiration to make a significant impact on society can truly benefit from the work of this organization.

The Gender & Sexuality Action Committee
Operating under the umbrella of the American Medical Student Association, GSEC seeks to assure equal access to both medical care and education. The organization aspires to be a leader on issues affecting the health of women, intersex and LGBT communities. This goal is accomplished through providing support initiatives, working with legislators to improve police, advocating for patients and students, and providing safe and supportive environments and leadership opportunities for physicians-in-training.

INTERVIEW

with Expert EUGENE PATRON The Point Foundation

What are some of the unique challenges LGBTQ students face in college?

College today is a challenging expense for all students, but in surveying LGBTQ applicants for Point Foundation scholarships nearly half say they lack family support to help them pay for college. LGBTQ students estranged from their families may have a hard time filling out FAFSA ® if they cannot get their parents to supply pertinent information. (Thankfully, recognizing this challenge, the U.S. Department of Education has taken some important steps to make this somewhat easier in recent years).

LGBTQ students are very much in need of professional role models. They have never met openly LGBTQ doctors, entrepreneurs, scientists, or other professionals. Many LGBTQ students wonder if they choose to follow their interests and study their academic discipline of choice, can they be out to their peers and their professor?

How can schools promote LGBTQ acceptance through curricula?

Point alumni who have gone on to teach at colleges and universities stress the importance of faculty being out on campus and accessible to LGBTQ students. LGBTQ faculty interacting with LGBTQ students inside and outside of the classroom - having lunch with LGBTQ students, being an adviser to LGBTQ student groups - helps LGBTQ students by modeling for them how they too can integrate themselves into campus life. It's important for LGBTQ faculty to identify and encourage faculty allies - including straight peers - who can help make the campus community welcoming for LGBTQ students.

Point Foundation is a supporter of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, which would require colleges to create and distribute an anti-harassment policy to all students and employees, including prospective students and employees upon request. More information on this proposed federal legislation can be found here.

How can LGBTQ students best prepare for the transition to college?

According to Lambda Legal, nearly one-third of LGBTQ students drop out of high school, three times the national average. Just by getting through high school, LGBTQ students should take pride in their accomplishment!

LGBTQ high school students should try and participate in Campus Pride's LGBTQ College Fairs, where they can learn about colleges that actively seek applications from LGBTQ students. Campus Pride and other organizations also provide annual rankings of how LGBTQ-friendly different schools are. Even after considering these rankings, it is important for LGBTQ students to remind themselves that they can find LGBTQ peers and allies on most campuses today. Students shouldn't hold themselves back from attending the school of their choice because they are LGBTQ.

Scholarships for LGBTQ Students

In addition to countless general scholarships, LGBTQ students have numerous funding opportunities offered by leading civil rights and advocacy organizations focused on eradicating sexual orientation discrimination. Some of the top LGBTQ-specific scholarships available include:

The Pride Foundation

Varies

January 11

This scholarship awards LGBT students and their allies who have demonstrably contributed to the LGBTQ community. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students hailing from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington

The League Foundation

$1,500 - $2,500

April

Students qualified to receive this funding must graduating high school students who plan on attending a college, university or trade school. As part of the application process, students will need to complete an application and two personal essays.

The Point Foundation

Varies

January 20

LGBTQ students who aspire to be leaders in their communities and in the fight for equal rights are excellent candidates for this scholarship. Selection criteria is made on "last provider" basis, meaning this scholarship fills the gap in funding not provided by other sources.

PFLAG

$1,000 - $5,000

April 30

PFLAG awards these scholarships to graduating high school seniors who self identify as members of the LGBTQ community or as an ally. Students must also demonstrate previous commitment to furthering equality via programs, projects or activities within their high schools or communities.

Gamma Mu Foundation

$1,000 - $2,500

March 31

Gay men under the age of 35 may apply for Gamma Mu's scholarship, including those in both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Preference will be giving to students who come from or plan to attend college in a rural area; who have overcome discrimination; who demonstrate leadership qualities; and who have a history of strong academic performance.

Live Out Loud

$5,000

March 4

LGBTQ students demonstrating leadership and ambition are able to apply to this scholarship, providing they are also high school seniors living in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. Students will complete an information form and six essays as part of their application.

The Queer Foundation

$1,000

February 14

High School seniors may apply for this scholarship, which is awarded on the basis of an English essay competition. Students must compose an essay focused on queer theory or related topics, such as queer medical, legal or social issues.

The Stonewall Foundation

Up to $12,500

August 20

This scholarship was created specifically for immigrant LGBTQI students enrolled in a New York City-based university to provide economic stability in an unfamiliar environment. Students must be full-time and should have completed at least one academic year at the time of their application.

The Association of LGBT Journalists

$2,500

July 31

This scholarship was named after notable painter Bob Ross, who was a strong advocate for LGBT and AIDS rights. Students eligible to receive this award must be enrolled in a journalism or related degree program at a Northern California institution. Students who are from Northern California but attending elsewhere may also apply.

American Psychological Foundation

$15,000

November 1

Students completing empirical and applied research focused on LGBT family psychology and/or therapy may apply for this scholarship, provided they are currently completing advanced graduate coursework. They must also be endorsed by their supervising professor and have a demonstrated commitment to working within LGBT family issues.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LGBTQ Student Resources & Support | Accredited Schools Online: Find Top-Rated Accredited Programs Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dr. Deb Cohan Dr. Deb Cohan, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of South Carolina Beaufort with a specialization in Gender Studies. Former Board of Directors member at PFLAG. Eugene Patron Eugene Patron serves as the communications and marketing director for the Point Foundation.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a list of links to help create a more inclusive library and welcoming setting for LGBTQ youth. This list gives background information on the LGBTQ community and ways to better interact and provide assistance for more inclusivity in the library.

# data[].attributes.body
A gathered list of resources for making a safer and more inclusive school. Resources include information about, Equal Access Act/Gay-Straight Alliances, Harassment, Free Speech/Free Expression/Prom, Privacy, Transgender/Nonbinary/
Gender Nonconforming Student Resources, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There's a lot of information about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth both on the ACLU's website and elsewhere on the web, but sometimes it can be difficult to find your way to the resources you need online. We've gathered some of the best information we have plus great stuff from other organizations and websites on this page to help you find things that can help you learn more about your rights and what you can do to make your school a safer, more welcoming place.

General Resources
Equal Access Act/Gay-Straight Alliances Harassment

Open Letter to Schools About Addressing Anti-LGBTQ Bullying: An open letter to school administrators about why they are legally obligated to protect students from anti-LGBTQ bullying. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

The Cost of Harassment: A Fact Sheet for LGBTQ High School Students: An overview of the nearly four million dollars' worth of successful harassment lawsuits brought by LGBTQ students against the schools that did nothing to help them. A printable PDF version is available here.

Tips: What You Can Do To Make Schools Safer: A few ideas about things schools, students, and parents can do to reduce harassment.

2017 GLSEN National School Climate Survey: The most recent national survey from GLSEN about attitudes towards LGBTQ students in our nation's schools, the prevalence of harassment and bullying towards LGBTQ students, and school safety.

U.S. Department of Education "Dear Colleague Letter" on bullying and harassment: An open letter from the federal government that makes it clear that schools have a legal obligation to address anti-gay harassment. The letter includes studies and case law to demonstrate schools' responsibility to equally protect all members of their student body.

Safe Schools Coalition: A coalition of organizations based in Washington state that serves schools, students, and parents throughout the U.S., with extra focus on Washington. Their site features training materials, information, and an extensive links section.

Free Speech/Free Expression/Prom

Speaking Out with Your T-Shirt: T-shirts are a common way for students to express their views, and schools often try to censor this form of speech, especially when it's about LGBTQ people. If you're thinking about wearing an LGBTQ-positive t-shirt to school and you expect trouble, here's what you should know and what to expect. A printable PDF version is available here.

Open Letter to Schools About LGBTQ Censorship: A letter to principals and educators explaining the legal requirement that schools allow students to wear clothing or accessories with slogans or symbols that express support for LGBTQ people. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

Open Letter to Schools About Gendered Dress Codes: Having a dress code for boys that is different than it is for girls is illegal, whether that's the everyday dress code or the requirements for prom, graduation, or other special event. This explains why to school officials.

Open Letter to Schools About Disciplining LGBTQ Students for Displays of Affection: This letter explains to schools why they shouldn't punish LGBTQ students who hold hands or display affection in other ways any more harshly than they do straight students for the same behavior.

Open Letter to Schools about Day of Silence: A letter to principals and educators explaining Day of Silence, ways to support students who are participating, and obligations schools have to protect students' safety and freedom of speech.

Open Letter to Schools about Ally Week: A letter to principals and educators explaining Ally Week, ways to support students who are participating, and obligations schools have to protect students' safety and freedom of speech.

Open Letter to Schools about LGBTQ Students' Dates for School Events: Every year, the ACLU receives calls from students whose schools have told them that they cannot bring a same-sex date to prom or homecoming, or that they can bring their date of choice but can't participate in all the same ways that their heterosexual and cisgender classmates can. This letter explains to schools that this is illegal.

Know Your Prom Night Rights! A Quick Guide for LGBTQ High School Students: There are laws protecting your right to be yourself at the prom, and this handout can help you learn about them so that you too can be safe and have fun on the big night!

Wikipedia's entry on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Summarizes the details of the amendment and includes the full text of the amendment.

Privacy Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming Student Resources

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Students: This guide from the ACLU and our colleagues at GLSEN provides information for trans and gender nonconforming students about their rights at school regarding harassment, dress code, dates for prom and other formal dances, and more.

Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools: This guide from the ACLU, NCLR, Gender Spectrum, and HRC guide is written for administrators, teachers, parents, and other adults who work with youth. It covers topics ranging from basic concepts of gender and the importance of affirming gender identity, to best practices for restroom access and working with unsupportive parents.

Open Letter to Schools About Gendered Dress Codes: Having a dress code for boys that is different than it is for girls is illegal, whether that's the everyday dress code or the requirements for prom, graduation, or other special event. This letter explains why to school officials.

Gender Spectrum: An organization that provides education, resources and training to help schools, health care providers, and family service agencies create a more gender sensitive and supportive environment for all children including gender variant and transgender youth.

Gender Odyssey: An organization that hosts conferences and other means of support for transgender children and their families.

Mermaids: A UK support group for transgender children and teenagers which offers a variety of information.

TransYouth Family Advocates: A coalition of parents, friends and caring adults dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the medical and cultural challenges faced by children with gender variant and gender questioning identities and the families who love them.

Gender Diversity: This organization provides family support, works with schools, and provides community-building services to improve the well-being for people of all gender identities and expressions.

Help for Youth Considering Suicide Elsewhere on the Web

The Trevor Project: A national suicide and crisis prevention resource for LGBTQ youth, including a 24-hour hotline (866-4-U-TREVOR/866-488-7386), as well as a Q&A forum, a live chat, blog, and many other resources for youth, educators, and parents.

Suicide.org: A non-profit suicide prevention informational and educational resource whose website offers support and links to articles pertaining to LGBTQ youth suicide. The site's homepage also has links to multiple suicide prevention hotlines (with both talk and text options) and resources for suicide survivors and the family and friends of suicidal individuals.

Hetrick-Martin Institute: HMI, the home of the Harvey Milk High School, provides multiple resources pages with links to guidance on dealing with bullying and other LGBTQ youth specific issues.

It Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBTQ people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach - if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBTQ community that they are not alone.

ACLU Staffers' "It Gets Better" Videos: We made our own videos to contribute to the It Gets Better Project, featuring several LGBTQ staffers from the national ACLU's New York and Washington, D.C. offices.

Web Filtering at Your School

Don't Filter Me: Web Content Filtering in Schools: Our campaign to end viewpoint-discriminatory web filtering that blocks access to LGBTQ-positive web content in public schools.

Letter to School Officials Regarding Web Filtering: This letter explains to public schools that using web filtering software the blocks students' access to pro-LGBTQ websites is illegal and unconstitutional. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

M86 filtering fact sheet: If your public school district uses the M86 web filter and is blocking positive LGBTQ websites, this fact sheet tells you how to get your school to fix it.

Websense filtering fact sheet: If your public school district uses the Websense web filter and is blocking positive LGBTQ websites, this fact sheet tells you how to get your school to fix it.

Info for LGBTQ College Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There's a lot of information about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth both on the ACLU's website and elsewhere on the web, but sometimes it can be difficult to find your way to the resources you need online.

# data[].attributes.headline
LGBTQ Pride Month Lesson Plans & Resources

# data[].attributes.subject
LGBTQ Pride Month Lesson Plans & Resources

# data[].attributes.body
This article showcases lesson plans and activities for LGBTQ History and Pride Months. The lessons can be utilized in the classroom and library as well as at any point during the year. The webpage includes general resources, helpful blogs and articles, related collections, and content specific to LGBTQ history and pride month.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One way that educators can promote safer school environments is by developing lessons that avoid bias and that include positive representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
One way that educators can promote safer school environments is by developing lessons that avoid bias and that include positive representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)...

# data[].attributes.body
This article provides links to a list of LGBTQ YA novels published from 1969-2009, professional tools to assist LGBTQ youth, booklists, blogs, and publishers. The article states that it does not necessarily recommend every book title displayed on its website, but wants to give a full picture of every book and resource available.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Resources for Educators and Librarians The main scope of this website is to have as comprehensive a list as possible of LGBTQ YA published between 2000-2017. We will be updating with new titles ev...

# data[].attributes.headline
Diverse Children’s Books to Support LGBTQ Inclusive Elementary Schools

# data[].attributes.subject
Diverse Children’s Books to Support LGBTQ Inclusive Elementary Schools

# data[].attributes.body
This article features a "list of lists" by offering nine links to various book recommendations for different LGBTQ circumstances. Examples include, Recommended Books with Two Moms & Two Dads, Children's Books About LGBTQ History, and Transgender & Non-Binary Children: Books to Help Adults Understand.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Books to Support LGBTQ-Inclusive Elementary Schools | Welcoming Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Books are a great way to introduce LGBTQ topics to students. Find high quality, up-to-date recommendations your children and students will love.

# data[].attributes.headline
Serving the GLBT Community in Your Library

# data[].attributes.subject
Serving the GLBT Community in Your Library

# data[].attributes.body
This resource identifies best approaches for establishing a library environment that is welcoming to the GLBT community. It includes helpful tips for interacting with GLBT youth, ideas for outreach and partnerships, programming, and building GLBT collections.