THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"As educators across the country are facing unprecedented challenges with both the pandemic and the relentless cascade of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that target students, parents and educators, this inaugural Welcoming Schools report flips the script to highlight nationwide accomplishments and what an inclusive educational environment truly looks like," said Cheryl Greene, Human Rights Campaign Foundation Welcoming Schools Director. "Since its inception as a local community effort, the Welcoming Schools program has grown into a nation-wide program committed to affirming LGBTQ+ youth and children in Pre-K-12 schools across the United States, impacting over 10.5 million students. Our work to amplify the voices of inclusive educators and administrators to center the needs of our most marginalized students continues to grow and makes schools everywhere a more safe and welcoming space for all."

Some of the key resources named in the report for educators and administrators include What Does Gay Mean?, What Do You Say to "That's So Gay" and Other Anti-LGBTQ+ Comments ) welcomingschools.org/resources/stop-thats-so-gay-anti-lgbtq-comments ) ? and Children's Books with Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive Children ( welcomingschools.org/resources/childrens-books-transgender-non-binary ) . The Welcoming Schools website provides educators with checklists, guidance, booklists and lesson plans to continually improve their practice both in and out of the classroom. These resources are the top three most used and have been accessed over one million times. Additionally, the report features resources about creating gender inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying and embracing all families.

Over the past year, in response to the urgent needs of LGBTQ+ youth in middle and high schools, the Welcoming Schools program developed additional professional development and resources for secondary schools. To address these needs the program rolled out new training modules, booklists and resources to support secondary school educators with attention to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents.

Video below: highlighting the expansion of Welcoming Schools at the secondary level.

The work that these schools do to create a more LGBTQ+ inclusive environment is imperative given the onslaught of attacks from state legislatures across the country. This year, statewide officials in Texas have tried to criminalize transition care for minors, and last week lawmakers in Alabama enacted the nation's first bill to impose criminal penalties on providers of age-appropriate, medically necessary, gender-affirming care for transgender youth. In Florida, the "Don't Say Gay or Trans" bill stands to block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. Additionally, Iowa was the first state in the country that had passed statewide non-discrimination protections that include LGBTQ+ people to reverse course by prohibiting transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. And in South Dakota, Gov. Noem proclaimed that it "makes me sad" to hear about high rates of depression among LGBTQ+ people in her state — just days after she signed the first anti-trans bill of 2022 into law.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.