Strengthen Support for LGBTQ+ Students and Staff in LAUSD

Dear LAUSD Board Members,

We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the safety, well-being, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ students and educators within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). We believe that LGBTQ+ individuals and their contributions need to be celebrated and affirmed in school culture.

Given that the LAUSD is predominantly Black, Latine/x, Asian, and Indigenous, the intersection of systemic racism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia and misogyny/misogynoir is particularly acute for vulnerable youth of color. According to a 2020 National Black Justice Institute and GLSEN report, over half of Black LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, and nearly a third reported missing at least one day of school in the last month because they felt unsafe. According to a 2020 Hispanic Foundation and GLSEN report, over a third of Latine/x LGBTQ students reported missing at least one day of school in the last month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

While progress has been made to promote diversity and inclusion in schools, we feel that more needs to be done to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ members of the school community. Recent incidents of discrimination, bullying, harassment, and resistance to LGBTQ+ inclusive instruction have brought to light the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure their safety and well-being. 

We also recognize the added challenges LGBTQ+ teachers face. As both members of a marginalized community and those assigned de facto responsibility for stewarding inclusive environments, LGBTQ+ teachers are often given outsized responsibilities while facing marginalization. When teachers face unsafe and discriminatory environments themselves, as well as resistance to inclusive instruction, they have an even harder time providing the best instruction to their students.

We, therefore, respectfully request that LAUSD take immediate action to implement the following measures:
(1) Transparency around the implementation of the Fair Education Act: Passed in 2011, The Fair Education Act mandates that all California public schools incorporate the contributions of LGBTQ+ people into history and social studies at all grade levels. We ask that LAUSD provide a plan for implementing this policy vis-a-vis curriculum, instruction, and professional development, including periodic updates on how many schools are compliant.

(2) Advisory Board to Ensure Implementation of LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Policies: Create an oversight committee of a diverse group of BIPOC LGBTQI2S+ Community members to develop and enforce clear and comprehensive policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination, bullying, and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure inclusive instruction. These policies should be widely communicated to students, staff, and parents/guardians to foster a safe and inclusive environment.

(3) Mandatory Training and Education: Invest in and provide mandatory training programs for all school staff, including teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff, to increase their awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and inclusive practices, utilizing culturally responsive and culturally specific methodologies that amplify the diversity of queer and gender expansive lived experiences.  This training should focus on fostering empathy, addressing biases, and equipping staff with the tools necessary to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ students and incorporating LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming content throughout programs and courses.

(4) Mental Health Support and Parent Engagement: Creation of dedicated safe spaces, counseling, therapy, and restorative justice practices that reinforce the cultural specificity of LGBTQI+ and gender expansive youth experiences, in concert with the provision of family/caregiver support resources.

We firmly believe that by implementing these measures, LAUSD can take a proactive stance in safeguarding the well-being and academic success of LGBTQ+ students. It is our collective responsibility to foster an educational environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equality.