Greetings GLSENeers,
Next week, GLSEN Arizona will be Rising Up in support of LGBTQ+ students at the 66th Annual Arizona School Board Association-Arizona School Administrators Annual Conference!
In this edition of your Inclusive Policy Postcard we encourage you to find us at the ASBA-ASA Conference, share actions school boards can take to support LGBTQ+ students, and offer a roundup of local and national news!
DID YOU KNOW?: JOIN GLSEN ARIZONA AT ASBA-ASA NEXT WEEK!
Come see GLSEN Arizona at booth #68 at the ASBA-ASA Conference next week! Get practical suggestions about how to support LGBTQ+ students in your district. GLSEN representatives will be on hand to:
LISTEN to your experiences, challenges, and wins around LGBTQ+-inclusion.
SHARE big and small actions you can take to support students, from issuing a resolution to ensuring policies are enumerated.
ANSWER your questions and provide referrals to other offices or organizations for support.
MAKE A PLAN to continue working with you to support LGBTQ+-inclusion in the coming year.
We encourage you to forward this information to friends and colleagues who are also attending.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Sean Nonnenmacher, GLSEN Arizona Policy Fellow, at sean.nonnenmacher@glsenarizona.org.
CALL TO ACTION: SCHOOL BOARDS TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
Resolutions: issue a resolution in support of LGBTQ+ students, educational equity, or safe and affirming schools for all. example: Arizona’s Rise Up Proclamation.
LGBTQ Commemorative Day: recognize LGBTQ+ commemorative months and days on the board calendar and during meetings.
District Task Force: create a district task force to work on LGBTQ+ issues.
Webpage or Resource Handbook: create a webpage or resource handbook for LGBTQ+ students and families.
Enumerated District Policies: ensure district policies are enumerated to include protections on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
School and District Surveys: include questions about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in school or district climate surveys.
Clarity State and Federal Laws: ask ADE to issue guidelines that clarify state and federal laws impacting LGBTQ+ students, their application in common situations, and recommended best practices.
LGBTQ+-Inclusive PD Training: direct the district’s training coordinator to offer LGBTQ+-inclusive PD, such as GLSEN’s Intentional Inclusion PD Series.
Federal ESSA Funding: use federal ESSA funds to advance LGBTQ+ equity (e.g., to support student groups or improve forms, records, and IT systems).
IN THE NEWS:
With the funding goal reached, Arizona LGBTQIA+ plate almost a reality. Read more.
This is how to fight the disinformation that fuels gender-affirming care bans. Read more.
Board member sues Mesa Public Schools over gender rules. Learn more.