Bring Transgender Student Rights to Your School
Our transgender resolution is a guideline for schools to be more accepting and accommodating towards transgender students. Without specific procedures in place, many schools fail to meet the needs of transgender students. Things like harassment and bullying can ruin people's lives; logistical dilemmas like bathrooms and rooming on overnight trips can become very stressful if not addressed properly. All these problems put transgender students at an unfair disadvantage academically, intellectually, and psychologically. One way to improve your school's approach to transgender students is to propose our Transgender Student Rights Resolution to your school administration.
Before formally proposing the document, it is advisable to get the support of a teacher, guidance counselor, GSA advisor, or other faculty member. Student support, like friends or GSA members, is also very helpful. You should become acquainted with your school's procedures regarding policy adoption. You may have to do your own research on this topic, as procedures can vary from district to district. Consider revising our resolution to fit your school better, and feel free to do so. If there are sections you believe to be lacking or unnecessary, ask your faculty ally or student support to help you edit. Then, propose the resolution to the appropriate administrator or group of administrators.
Beware the common fallacy: proposing the resolution is not the final step! You need to keep tabs on its progress. Be sure to have a contact person dealing directly with the resolution, and check up on the adoption process every few weeks. Creating policy or passing a resolution can take quite a long time, but it's important to stick it out. Especially when dealing with such an uncommon and taboo topic, administrative groups may try to turn the other cheek and repeatedly table or postpone the resolution. If this happens, everything you've fought for comes to a standstill. It may seem out of your reach, but it's not. As a member of the community, you have every right to communicate with your public school administrators. Be present. Send emails, call offices, attend meetings. Engage your opposition in debate, challenge their views, clearly state your argument. (If you're uncertain on how to go about this, see our tips for dealing with administrators.)
Finally, if the resolution passes, thank everyone involved. This could include a celebration with your GSA, emails to administrators who supported the resolution in debate, a conversation with your supporting faculty member, or other forms of gratitude. People put time and hard work into getting your resolution passed; if you want to create a good, professional impression, thank them for it.
Proposing a policy change or resolution adoption is no easy task, but it is one that can make a huge difference in the everyday lives of transgender students. If accepted, it will ensure that no student is discriminated against because of their gender identity and that all students have an equal chance at an education. Even if the resolution doesn't pass, your efforts pave the road for further discussion, and educate faculty and administrators about issues facing transgender students.
For more information about changing your schools, see our Local School District Organizing Guide.
Before formally proposing the document, it is advisable to get the support of a teacher, guidance counselor, GSA advisor, or other faculty member. Student support, like friends or GSA members, is also very helpful. You should become acquainted with your school's procedures regarding policy adoption. You may have to do your own research on this topic, as procedures can vary from district to district. Consider revising our resolution to fit your school better, and feel free to do so. If there are sections you believe to be lacking or unnecessary, ask your faculty ally or student support to help you edit. Then, propose the resolution to the appropriate administrator or group of administrators.
Beware the common fallacy: proposing the resolution is not the final step! You need to keep tabs on its progress. Be sure to have a contact person dealing directly with the resolution, and check up on the adoption process every few weeks. Creating policy or passing a resolution can take quite a long time, but it's important to stick it out. Especially when dealing with such an uncommon and taboo topic, administrative groups may try to turn the other cheek and repeatedly table or postpone the resolution. If this happens, everything you've fought for comes to a standstill. It may seem out of your reach, but it's not. As a member of the community, you have every right to communicate with your public school administrators. Be present. Send emails, call offices, attend meetings. Engage your opposition in debate, challenge their views, clearly state your argument. (If you're uncertain on how to go about this, see our tips for dealing with administrators.)
Finally, if the resolution passes, thank everyone involved. This could include a celebration with your GSA, emails to administrators who supported the resolution in debate, a conversation with your supporting faculty member, or other forms of gratitude. People put time and hard work into getting your resolution passed; if you want to create a good, professional impression, thank them for it.
Proposing a policy change or resolution adoption is no easy task, but it is one that can make a huge difference in the everyday lives of transgender students. If accepted, it will ensure that no student is discriminated against because of their gender identity and that all students have an equal chance at an education. Even if the resolution doesn't pass, your efforts pave the road for further discussion, and educate faculty and administrators about issues facing transgender students.
For more information about changing your schools, see our Local School District Organizing Guide.
