SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

WHEREAS, the LGBTQIA+ community should be able to teach, learn, work, and live freely without fear of harassment and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, our students deserve supportive, welcoming and affirming school environments, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; and

WHEREAS, conversion therapy, which targets and harms transgender individuals along with the rest of the LGBTQIA+ community, has been completely banned in Canada, and in New York and other states, but remains—without law or policy—in over 20 states; and

WHEREAS, many health plans are not allowed to exclude transition‐related care, and healthcare providers are required to treat a person with respect and according to their gender identity; however, a study by the Center for American Progress found that LGBTQIA+ patients report experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings, ultimately discouraging them from seeking medical care; and

WHEREAS, in many states, transgender athletes are unable to compete in the sports teams that they identify with; and

WHEREAS, educators fostering positive LGBTQIA+ environments are being met with baseless, unfair and hurtful accusations; and

WHEREAS, state school boards and school districts are being pressured to renounce support for LGBTQIA+ clubs and school activities; and

WHEREAS, a 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey indicated that 43 percent of transgender youth have been bullied on school property; and 29 percent of transgender youth, 21 percent of gay and lesbian youth, and 22 percent of bisexual youth have attempted suicide; and

WHEREAS, the Trevor Project, a national organization founded to eradicate suicide and other mental health challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community, reports that affirming school environments were found to have a positive impact in saving young LGBTQIA+ lives; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, a record 520 anti-transgender state laws and 23 national laws were introduced, including more than 30 anti-transgender bathroom bills, more than 100 anti-LGBTQIA+ curriculum censorship bills, and 45 anti LGBTQIA+ drag performance ban bills; and

WHEREAS; the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD reported that from June 2022 to April 2023, there were over 356 anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and extremism incidents documented across 46 states and the District of Columbia (with California, New York and Texas seeing the highest number of incidents): 138 incidents relating to drag events and performers, 33 incidents relating to schools and educators, 23 incidents relating to healthcare facilities and providers, and 22 incidents relating to government buildings and elected officials; and

WHEREAS, these incidents create fear and divide our communities with mass disinformation and misinformation, continuing a cycle of hate and bigotry and dismantling the basic freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community; and

WHEREAS, the proponents of the aforementioned laws have legislated and misused the courts to enact policies that promote discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning individuals; and

WHEREAS, the aforementioned restrictive and punitive measures make already vulnerable students even less secure, leading to missed classes, academic underperformance, increased dropout rates, and increasing their likeliness of homelessness:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will work with state federations and local affiliates to promote strong state and national protections for LGBTQIA+ youth and adults, including:

• Inclusive language in all schools;
• Proper use of identifying pronouns and a person’s chosen name;
• Equitable access to facilities that match gender identities;
• Respect for gender expression, including, but not limited to, attire and appearance;
• Policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in the sports teams that they identify with;
• Policies that protect and respect the gender identities of students and staff; and
• Inclusive anti‐bullying and anti‐harassment policies that protect students and staff; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for the availability of gender-affirming medical care and a full range of family planning medical care no matter an individual’s state of residence and that these services be fully covered by medical insurance; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for the banning of conversion therapy throughout the United States; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to vigorously defend school, healthcare, and public employee workers who support LGBTQIA+ youth, their families and the broader LGBTQIA+ community, as well as those who teach about their existence, history and the fight for dignity, rights, and pride for LGBTQIA+ people; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will consider supporting advocacy organizations—such as Pride at Work, PFLAG, GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal and the Trevor Project; identify and support other local, community-based organizations that provide services to LGBTQIA+ youth and workers; hang pride flags; and celebrate holidays such as National Coming Out Day and Pride Month; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ history within history curriculum across the country; professional development, continuing education, and training for school staff; complaint procedures that are inclusive of LGBTQIA+ pupils; and the development and promotion of LGBTQIA+ safe space trainings.

Adopted May 28, 2025