BACKGROUNDER: "Back To School As You Are" Campaign Supports LGBTQ+ Students, Families, Educators Amidst Wave of Disturbing Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

WASHINGTON - August 9, 2022 - Across the nation, LGBTQ+ students of all ages are returning to school under an unprecedented and hostile political climate. An uptick in discriminatory legislation and rhetoric targeting LGBTQ+ youth - particularly transgender and non-binary youth - in recent months has created a sense of hopelessness and fear for many. Students' safety is being compromised as elected officials seek to attack them for political gain. From anti-trans sports bills to book bans to curriculum censorship legislation, LGBTQ+ students are seeing their rights attacked and identities erased.

The Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) "Back To School As You Are" campaign is designed to support LGBTQ+ students of all ages during the back to school season. It aims to connect educators with the tools and resources they need to create affirming, understanding and inclusive environments, and assist parents, legal guardians and youth-serving professionals challenged with supporting young LGBTQ+ people and allies during this troubling time.

What you need to know:

• This is a sensitive and challenging time for LGBTQ+ youth. According to the Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, 73% of LGBTQ+ youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety while 58% reported experiencing symptoms of depression.
• This year, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in states across the country.
• A total of 12 state bills have been passed banning trans kids from participating in school sports which align with their gender identity. Furthermore, seven states passed legislation censoring LGBTQ+ topics in classrooms.
• A recent Trevor Project survey showed that a startling 85% of transgender or gender non-binary youth say their mental health has been negatively affected by the current wave of legislative attacks.
• 86% of LGBTQ+ youth report they have been targets of bullying, harassment, or assault at school.
• Studies have shown that bullying and harassment of LGBTQ+ youth contribute to high rates of absenteeism, dropout, adverse health consequences, and academic underachievement.
• Studies clearly demonstrate the harms for LGBTQ+ youth mental health when they are denied affirming and protective school environments:
• Youth living in states with enumerated antibullying laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity report less homophobic victimization and harassment than do students who attend schools in states without these protections.
• LGBTQ+ students in schools with LGBTQ+ supporting clubs and sexual orientation & gender identity resources often report feeling safer and are less likely to report depressive symptom, substance use, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in comparison with students in schools lacking such resources.
• These bills are politically extreme and not supported by most Americans. According to a recent survey featured in the Washington Post, 59% of respondents said they opposed or strongly opposed banning transgender girls from participating in K-12 athletics, including 48% of Republican or Republican-leaning respondents. The analysis, by leading political scientists, highlights how the recent wave of anti-transgender policies does not align with public opinion.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation resources for students, families and educators:

• HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools:
• A booklist for children looking to be an LGBTQ+ ally
• Creating gender inclusive classrooms
• Creating inclusive learning environments in secondary schools
• HRC Foundation's Project THRIVE:
• Project THRIVE is a multi-year national campaign to create more equitable, inclusive support systems and communities for LGBTQ+ youth. Project THRIVE will build the skills and capacities of all youth-serving professionals to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ young people.
• Checklist for creating safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth
• Coming out resources for LGBTQ+ people and understanding LGBTQ+ identities
• Understanding digital and online spaces and communities for LGBTQ+youth
• A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools

Here's how people can push back against hate and discrimination:

If you or someone you know has experienced harassment or discrimination in school on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, a complaint can be filed with the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Know that bullying is often a form of harassment.

Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education recently released a proposed regulation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that protects students from discrimination in federally-funded educational activities and programs. People can show their support for the regulation by submitting a public comment before the deadline Sept. 12. To do so:

1. Go to the public comment submission page here.
2. Review this tip sheet on how to craft an effective comment.
3. Submit your comment for review.
4. Share this page with others and encourage them to do the same.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.