As Georgia students return to school, five LGBT advocacy groups have introduced a new resource called the Georgia Transgender Student Rights Watch.
Lambda Legal, Georgia Equality, Anti-Defamation League, Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, and GLSEN Atlanta (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) have created the platform in a joint effort to monitor the discrimination transgender and gender nonconforming students experience across all schools, from elementary schools to college campuses.
Our schools’ first job is to provide safe and affirming environments for all our youth to learn and thrive.
From the use of declared names and pronouns, to restrooms, locker rooms, sports, uniforms, and extracurricular activities, school districts should respect the gender identity of all students, including transgender students. No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus.
If you are a transgender student and you are being denied access to facilities at school, we want to hear from you. If you are being forced to use a separate restroom or changing area away from your peers because of who you are, we want to hear from you. If you are the parent of a transgender or gender nonconforming student, and your child has not been treated fairly or equally, we want to hear from you.
Separating transgender students from other students by forcing them to use separate restroom and locker room spaces is demeaning and can be emotionally damaging. It also violates the law. We stand ready to speak with students, their families, and the school district about the law and rights of transgender students.
Read the press release.
