Freedom of Expression
Some schools try to silence students who express their opinions about LGBTQ+ issues. If you go to a public school, you have a constitutional right to express your views and identity.
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs)
A GSA is a noncurricular student club—just like Chess Club or Fellowship of Christian Athletes—for students with a shared interest in LGBTQ+ issues. According to federal law, public high schools that allow any other noncurricular clubs must allow GSAs and treat them no differently from other clubs.
School Dances
Public schools can't stop you from bringing a same-sex date to prom or homecoming, nor can they tell you that you can't dress a certain way - because it doesn't fit traditional gender roles.
Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students
Transgender and gender nonconforming students often face discrimination over dress codes, access to restrooms and locker rooms, and their chosen names and pronouns. Contact us if you want to help make sure your school treats you with respect and keeps you safe.
Harassment
If you're being harassed or threatened, go to the principal or another official right away. Keep detailed notes with dates of all incidents. Put the school on notice that it has to protect you.
Protest at School
You have the right to speak out, hand out flyers and petitions, and wear expressive clothing in school — as long as you don’t disrupt the functioning of the school or violate the school’s content-neutral policies. Students may participate in a walkout or other protest but they are still subject to the standard punishment for unexcused absence from class or truancy. However, students cannot be punished more harshly because of the political nature or the message of the protest.
Outside of school, you enjoy essentially the same rights to protest and speak out as anyone else. You have the right to speak your mind on social media, and your school has the least authority to punish you for content you post off campus and outside of school hours that does not relate to school.
