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LGBTQ+ Student Supports
We are devoted to nurturing and affirming safe spaces in our schools, and to privileging youth voices in our work and services.
Youth Development works closely with GSA advisors to share resources and collaborate on addressing students’ needs. Youth Development also provides staff professional development and family/community workshops.
Youth Development works on:
GSA & Rainbow Club student and advisor support
Connecting students to EGUSD and community services
Family workshops
EGUSD staff professional development
Student resources
Why LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces are Needed
The importance of having a Rainbow or GSA Club in our schools:
As explained in this Mayo Clinic resource, children can articulate their gender identity as early as 2-years-old. Not all students identify as a boy or girl; there are nonbinary students and transgender students. Making sure that all students feel safe and seen at school is important and these safe space clubs help with feelings of belonging and connect students with supportive peers and adults.
Gender is a spectrum. Here are resources to learn more:
Gender & Children: A Place to Begin - a resource from the Human Rights Campaign
Affirming Gender in Elementary School: Social Transitioning - a resource from the Human Rights Campaign
LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for many identities. A visual model is the Gender Unicorn from the Trans Student Educational Resources website.
GSA and Rainbow Club
Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Clubs provide a supportive space for all LGBTQ+ students and allies. Many students join to find community or use it as a safe space to be their true selves without judgment. Not all clubs are the same: some use the space to hang out with friends, while others use it to learn new topics, lessons, and address issues the LGBTQ+ community at their schools may be facing.
A Rainbow Club is an elementary school version of a GSA Club. It is a safe space for students, but also a place to learn about identity, diversity, inclusion and allyship.
These spaces are important for our students because they provide visibility to our LGBTQ+ youth and offer accessibility to resources.
YDO Contact: Larrah Feliciano, Ed.D., Program Specialist.
Supportive Services
We are committed to providing supports related to the following:
Gender Support Plan (an affirming gender identity agreement on campus)
EGUSD staff professional development on inclusivity and bullying prevention
Family workshops
Information on GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) Club at our schools
YDO's LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council
Connection to community supportive services
Interested in LGBTQ+ support services or resources? Contact Larrah Feliciano in Youth Development for assistance.
Events and Tabling
Through collaboration with our schools and liaisons, we provide inclusive support resources to students and parents/guardians. If you would like for us to table at your EGUSD school event or Elk Grove community event, please contact Youth Development's Program Assistant, Claudia Bazan,
For upcoming workshops please check out our upcoming events. Link to our Media & Events page
Students' Rights
Below you can find links to resources related to students' rights and other information regarding LGBTQ+ support.
SAC: EGUSD's first-ever LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council
EGUSD’s first-ever LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council launched in 2022 to provide an opportunity for middle and high school students representing the LGBTQ+ community to work in partnership with their schools and the district’s Youth Development Office. Students advocate for needs they experience at their respective schools and give input to their peers on how they are addressing inequities and how to build community with each other.
LGBTQ+ Youth Summit
What is the Youth Summit?
LGBTQ+ Youth Summit is a celebration for EGUSD’s Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) clubs and LGBTQ+ student members and allies from all middle school and high schools. The event's purpose is to uplift LGBTQ+ student voices and bring awareness of community resources and organizations supporting LGBTQ+ folks, mental health, bullying prevention, and drug prevention.
The summit's annual theme is designed with input from LGBTQ+ student leaders, along with the selection of workshop topics. By giving visibility and support to our LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, we can move towards removing stigma and creating safe learning environments for them to thrive!
Family Resources
Below are some resources you can use to initiate the conversation about gender and inclusivity:
Supporting your child who identifies as LGBTQ+ or is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity - a resource from Health Partners
Defining LGBTQ+ Words for Elementary Students - a resource from the Human Rights Campaign
Yes, They Are a Family! - resource from Welcoming Schools
Community Resources
Below you can find links to community resources and other information regarding LGBTQ+ Supports:
Why supporting Trans Youth matters
Please see the infographic on the right for more details about:
Suicide prevention
Discrimination & risk
Mental healthimpacts
School safety
Supporting Trans Youth-YDO.pdfFlyer on why supporting trans youth matters and how you can help.
Staff Resources: Professional Development
YDO strives to make our schools safe spaces for all. Educating our staff on subjects such as "Preventing Bias-Based Bullying" and "LGBTQ+ Student Safety and Health" is an important first step.
EGUSD staff, if you are interested in joining one of our courses, you can find available workshops in PL Essentials. Click Professional Development button below for more information.
Additional Resources
Gender Diverse Cultures
Did you know there are many gender-diverse cultures around the world who accept and celebrate the expansiveness of gender identity?
To learn more, check out this cool gender-diverse cultures map from PBS!
Also, check out our books page to see a list of books relating to LGBTQ+ and gender inclusivity!
Safe Space Affirmation Signs
Displaying explicit support of LGBTQ+ students can help de-stigmatize various gender and sexual identities and signals to all students that this is a safe space to learn. Below is a downloadable safe space sign you can display in your classroom, work station, or office.
Safe Space Flyer PDFTHIS A DIVERSE SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACE FOR EVERYONE.pdfReport abuse