LGBTQIA+ Students

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We recognize the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ students may face and strive to create a safe space where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to express their true selves.

Core Principles of Our Support for LGBTQ+ Students:

1. Inclusivity and Acceptance: We celebrate diversity and promote a culture of acceptance. Our school community is dedicated to ensuring that all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, feel included and supported in their educational journey.

2. Safe Spaces: We provide safe spaces within our school where LGBTQ+ students can gather, share their experiences, and seek support. These spaces foster a sense of belonging and community.

3. Educational Resources: We offer educational programs to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues, history, and rights. Our goal is to educate all students and staff to promote understanding and respect for all identities.

4. Supportive Counseling Services: Our school counselors are trained to provide support to LGBTQ+ students, offering a confidential and non-judgmental environment for students to discuss their feelings and experiences.

5. Anti-Bullying Policies: We enforce strict anti-bullying policies that protect LGBTQ+ students from harassment and discrimination. We encourage students to report any incidents of bullying so that we can take appropriate action.

6. Parent and Community Engagement: We work to engage parents and the wider community in discussions about LGBTQ+ inclusivity, providing resources and support to help families understand and support their LGBTQ+ children.

7. Affirming Practices: We strive to affirm the identities of LGBTQ+ students by using correct names and pronouns and promoting policies that respect and support gender identity and expression.

We believe that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and celebrated for who they are. We are committed to supporting our LGBTQ+ students and working towards a school culture that embraces diversity and inclusion.

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people are at significantly increased risk.

• LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020).

• The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

• The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.