Creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for everyone is essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students. This is mandated by law, and should be the concern of all educators dedicated to the health and safety of their students. Protecting your trans students from bullying and harassment by their peers is a central component of the constitutional right of all students to a fair and equal education. TYEF urges you to respect the names, pronouns, and identities of your trans students. You can do this by listening, believing trans students when they open up to you about their identity and experiences, creating an education centered around diversity and inclusivity, and reading our detailed guides and resources below. Thank you, teachers, for all that you do.
*While supporting trans students at school has been complicated by “Trump-era” 2025 policies and executive orders, we are confident that educators can still be supportive to trans students through various means. See below also for resources on inclusivity particularly for states and counties with restrictions on faculty / staff.
For Educators
FEATURED books FOR EDUCATORS
Read the TYEF Glossary
Learn about the terms, definitions, and concepts.
““Please, just listen to me, hear me, try to educate yourselves, try to understand everybody.”
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14636767523693317/
Some resources to help schools support their trans students -- use these links as a starting ground for informing yourself and your school. Share with teachers / school staff looking to support trans students this upcoming school year!
Print these out and put them on the outside of your door and in your classroom!
SCHOOL TRAINING WORKSHOPS, GRADES K-12
These workshops are designed to fit the needs of your school. We offer one and a half hour training to your teachers and staff to educate them about transgender and gender nonconforming youth and their needs. We will address all of your concerns and discuss the unique needs of your school. We have experience in educating school staff in how to best support transgender students. At the end of this session we will meet with a smaller group including transgender students, teachers, counselors and/or parents or caregivers to discuss the particular needs and concerns for a particular student. We will provide you with handouts, book lists and other resources. After the initial visit TYEF will be available to your school for any and all follow up phone consultations at no additional cost.
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS,GRADES 7-12
Teaching Empathy and Compassion: A Workshop On Gender Diversity:
This workshop uses handouts, discussion and videos to communicate with youth about the importance of understanding gender diversity, their gender nonconforming peers and how we can use empathy and compassion to care for, understand, and support these peers and eliminate bullying in our schools.
TRANSGENDER YOUTH: A COMPASSIONATE VIEW
This workshop covers the history of the transgender child and youth movement and of the Trans Youth Equality Foundation's work with children and families. We will discuss the needs of youth as well as the direction in which the movement is going. Information will be given Transgender 101 style so that participants will walk away with a full understanding of the issues. We will lead an open discussion to address your needs and concerns and share valuable resources for professionals or advocates to take home. An excellent workshop for any group working with youth, or involved with educational, recreational, religious or civil rights concerns.
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Transgender 101 for Schools, Professionals, Businesses, etc. Designed to meet your needs.
Contact TYEF offices at 207-478-4087
contact@transyouthequality.org
COST OF WORKSHOPS
The cost is $2500 zoom / or additional fee for travel. This is for a half day visit. Full day visits are $3000 Cost includes all followup needed for one school year at no additional cost.We will provide you with the master copy of our handouts to reproduce for all participants prior to the workshop. Please feel free to ask our staff for other possible talks or workshops, we are open to discussing your needs.
Reflecting on older posts here is a reminder of how caring, safe and protective the DOJ, Office of Civil Rights, Dept of Education and Biden’s administration were for transgender students and their teachers. TYEF fights alongside trans students and their loved ones to take action and fight for a better future in 2025. We have done this before and we will maintain hope and action to see this again. Trans Youth Rights Are Human and Civil Rights. Thank you to all who stand with us. 2025!
Key Resources about the law, and supporting and protecting trans students
GLSEN 2021 National School Climate Survey (results from 2024 survey to be posted soon!)
Detailed report about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in schools around the country.
Trump Executive Orders: “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” (Issued January 29, 2025)
The Trump Administration has slashed / eliminated several Biden-era orders mandating inclusivity of LGBTQ students in K-12 schools. In addition, Trump released an Executive Order in January threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that teach “gender ideology” in curriculum, or allow a student to socially transition, among many other things. This executive order directly harms transgender youth; however, trans youth — as do all other students— are still entitled to an education in the States, are protected by any district anti-bullying policies, and deserve to feel safe (AND supported) at school. Please see below for resources and ways to continue supporting transgender students, even for districts in states that are attempting to enforce Trump’s orders.
Filing a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights
Further Information about Filing a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights. It’s important to note that this feature is still available, even amidst the Trump administration’s discriminatory tirade.
Form for Filing a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights
Fact Sheet on U.S. Department of Education Policy Letter on Transgender Students
NOTE: Since Trump, the above link is an outdated policy. However, it provides a very helpful explanation of how schools should treat treat transgender students. This fact sheet details that schools should respect the gender identity of their trans and non-binary students. It states that trans students should have access to the restroom, locker room, and facilities in line with their gender identity. It also says that schools should use the student’s correct name and pronouns, and allow them to dress in alignment with their gender.
Transgender Child/Youth School Q&A
In this section we discuss frequently asked questions about schools and transgender children. We provide answers to your questions and help you understand the legal rights of trans children in schools.
Gender Spectrum’s Guide for Supporting Trans Children in K-12 Schools
Check out Gender Spectrum's great guide to learning more about transgender students and how your school can protect them.
U.S. Dept of Education Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
The Trump administration has eliminated this previously useful resource. Please look to other places (including the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Project for additional resources).
The Human Right Campaign dedicates a ton of resources, money, and research to their project, Welcoming Schools. This is an excellent resource for educators. Read their 2025 annual report, browse their resources, or attend a training!
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
While Trump did not eliminate FERPA (a law forcing school’s to protect student’s data and uphold privacy of the students and their families), in April, he issued an Executive Order diminishing the federal government’s power to enforce FERPA. Eliminating FERPA requires congressional approval. However, this page no longer exists.
Sex Discrimination: Overview of the Law (from DoE)
American Bar Association: Upholding the Civil Rights of Transgender Students
This page (2021) discusses the legal, ethical, and educational imperatives for schools and educators to create learning environments which respect the rights of trans students. This page also offers practical guidance on how to foster equity and inclusivity for all students. For example, schools and educators should implement and enforce anti-bullying protections, respect student privacy under FERPA (as FERPA does still exist, regardless of Trump’s Executive Order), creating ongoing professional development opportunities, foster an inclusive curriculum, and more.
White House Toolkit on Transgender Equality
This landmark White House publication was eliminated by the Trump Administration.
This is an integral resource especially now! We recommend all trans youth and their parents read this page to understand their rights as students at school.
LEGAL RESOURCES
Search for LGBT Bar associated law firms and partners near you
How to change your gender marker on your birth certificate, for each state
