Professional Documents
Culture Documents
tuxedo — then you should be able to that aren't directly related to classes can contact your local ACLU affiliate
wear that clothing even if it isn’t taught in the school. For example, or the ACLU LGBT Project.
stereotypically associated with your Math Club is curricular but Chess
General Tips
gender. Club isn't.
If you ever suspect that your school is
Your right to be yourself in school Starting a GSA is like starting any
treating you wrong because of your
includes the right to be transgender other club! Find out your school's
sexual orientation or gender identity:
or to transition your gender in rules for forming an official student
school. Unfortunately, there aren’t yet organization (like getting a faculty Be respectful and follow the rules
clear rules in most places about how sponsor if one is required, etc.) and
Don't give your school any excuses for
schools should accommodate then follow those rules carefully. And
treating you badly by behaving badly
students when they transition. There document everything just in case the
or losing your temper.
are often many obstacles to deal with, school gives you a hard time about
including restroom and locker room your GSA. There are tips on how to do Document everything
accessibility, your name and what this at the end of this handout.
Keep detailed notes about everything:
pronouns to use when talking about
We've found that school officials often dates, where things happened, who
you, and how official records classify
don't know much about the law or was there, who said or did what, and
you. Call your local ACLU affiliate or
think they can find some way to get any other details that might come in
the ACLU LGBT Project if you want
around it. Blocking a GSA from handy. If the school gives you anything
help making sure your school treats
forming or treating it differently from in writing or if you submit anything in
you with respect and keeps you safe.
other noncurricular clubs is against writing yourself, keep copies. If you
Gay-Straight Alliances the law, and if your school does it you have to fill out any forms or submit
should contact your local ACLU anything in writing, keep copies of
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are
affiliate or the ACLU LGBT Project. those things. The more you document
student clubs, just like Drama Club or
what you’re going through, the better
Key Club, that allow students with a Prom, Homecoming, and other
your chances of getting it addressed.
common interest to get together and School Events
have discussions or activities about Get support
If you’re a girl, can you go to
that interest. GSAs are made up of
homecoming with another girl? If There are groups all over the country
students of any sexual orientation or
you’re a boy, can you run for Prom for LGBT youth, and if you live
gender identity, not just gay students.
Queen? Yes! The First Amendment somewhere that doesn't have one, you
They can be support groups, social
and your right to equal protection can probably find an online discussion
groups, or they can be activist
guarantee you the right to express forum where you can be yourself and
organizations dedicated to making
yourself by bringing a same-sex date get reassurance that you're not alone.
school safer for all students, or some
to the prom or homecoming. Similar
combination of any of those. Don't just believe what school officials
protections should apply if you are a
tell you
The federal Equal Access Act says boy and want to run for Prom Queen
that if a public school permits any or if you’re a girl and want to run for A lot of the time, school officials either
noncurricular clubs, then it must Prom King. don't know what the law requires
allow students to form a GSA if they them to do or they’re just betting that
If you go to a public school and school
want to, and the school can’t treat it you won't question what they say.
officials try to tell you that you can't
differently from other noncurricular Don’t take their word for it!
bring a same-sex date to prom, you
clubs. Noncurricular clubs are groups