Back to School: What LGBTQ Students Need to Know

This month, students across the country have been leaving the summer behind and returning to school. While the start of the school year is greeted by a range of emotions for most students, for LGBTQ students, returning to school may evoke more negative reactions, because they are returning to a place where they are verbally and physically bullied for being themselves. Here at Lambda Legal, we are dedicated to protecting and advocating for LGBTQ youth who deserve to feel safe in school.

This includes students like Derek Henkle. In 9th grade, Derek came out as gay at school in Reno, Nevada and began being harassed and attacked. The harassment included students lassoing a rope around Derek’s neck and threatening to kill him by dragging him behind their truck and being beaten bloody by another student while school security guards watched. Consistently, authorities failed to protect Derek. Lambda Legal worked with Derek to bring a lawsuit against the school administrators, resulting in a landmark settlement and new policies being implemented in Derek’s school district.

Lambda Legal’s clients also include students like K.K. Logan. During K.K.’s junior year in Gary, Indiana, she began using her nickname and expressing her feminine gender identity through her appearance. But, when she decided to wear a dress to the senior prom, her principal denied her entry. Although students, parents and community members defended her, her principal refused to let K.K. attend. Lambda Legal worked with K.K. to bring a lawsuit against the school district, leading the school district to revise its dress codes and non-discrimination policies to protect LGBTQ students.

K.K. & Derek’s stories are not isolated. Although gay-straight alliances and resources are becoming more available, LGBTQ students still need protection and advocates. These students face disproportionate amounts of bullying and are overrepresented in the school-to-prison pipeline. Additionally, students caught at the intersections of race, gender identity and sexual orientation face an increased likelihood of disciplinary action compared to their straight, white, cisgender classmates.

However, the harsh realities present in schools do not exist in a bubble.

Marriage equality became a national reality. Trans visibility is at an all-time high with Laverne Cox, Janet Mock and Caitlyn Jenner becoming household names. LGBTQ kids are seeing that they are not alone, but there are still hurdles to equality. Some state and local governments have been resistant in the face of progress, trans women of color, especially black trans women, are facing devastating violence and there are still those who would attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act.

We know that the younger members of the LGBTQ community are not insulated from these broader developments, which is why their safety and support, both in school and out, are of primary importance to Lambda Legal. In light of the dangers facing young LGBTQ students, Lambda Legal continues to advocate on behalf the younger members of our community. As such, there are a number of resources available for students, educators, families and friends to support young LGBTQ people:

• Know Your Rights for Teens and Young Adults
• Information on Bullying
• Information for Trans Youth
• Gay-Straight Alliances
• Speech Rights

These links and a list of local organizations by state are available if you need help. As always if you need assistance with a legal matter, you can contact us for support and resources, including our Help Desks in our five regions.