About Us

California School for the Deaf (CSD) is committed to creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students. To accomplish this goal, the CSD engaged in efforts to create practices and initiatives to support students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersexual, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) and/or other identities on the gender spectrum. During the 2018-19 school year, CSD received training and support from the Gender Spectrum organization during staff development days. In the Fall of 2018, CSD created a Gender Inclusive Committee with representatives from various departments. The goal of the Gender Inclusive Committee is to ensure school policies and practices in place provide a welcoming and safe learning environment for all students. CSD abides by the state and federal protections that are in place for students who identify as LGBTQIA+.

As you navigate through this website, note that you will find go-to LGBTQIA+ resources for students, families and community members. While these lists are not comprehensive, we wanted to share this selection of resources with the community as a starting point to further educate and promote understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. CSD is dedicated to promoting inclusion, safety and wellness for every student. Browse this website for additional resources and tools for students, teachers and families to address LGBTQIA+ topics.

Federal Protection

Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination based on gender or sex stereotypes in every jurisdiction. While Title IX does not specifically use the terms “transgender” or “gender identity or expression,” courts have held that harassment and other discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming people constitutes sex discrimination. This position has also been supported by the U.S. Department of Education. These rights were clarified in the October 26, 2010, “Dear Colleague Letter” and the April 29, 2014, guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

California Law

It is the policy of the State of California to afford all persons in public schools, regardless of their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code, equal rights and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state. (Education Code Section 200.)

No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls pupils who receive state student financial aid. (Education Code Section 220.)