You have a right to a safe school! You can’t be treated badly or unfairly at school because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. If you are being harassed or discriminated against by other students or school administrators, call LSC and we can provide you with assistance.
Expressing Yourself
Should I be out about my sexual orientation or gender identity at school?
This is up to you. No one can keep you from being out at school. You have a right to be out if you want to, and you can also keep it to yourself. You might want to talk to a friend or adult you trust about whether you want to be out, who you want to tell about your sexual orientation or gender identity and how you want to tell them.
Can I start a Gay-Straight Alliance at my school?
Your school has to treat a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) the same way it treats all the other clubs. This means if there are other clubs at your school, they have to let you have a GSA, and they have to let the GSA have meetings the same way they let other clubs have meetings.
If you want help starting a GSA at your school, call the California Gay-Straight Alliance Network at (415) 552-4229 or check out their website at: www.gsanetwork.org/resources/start.html.
I was born a girl but I’m now a boy. Can I use the boys’ bathroom and locker room?
Every school has different rules about using the bathrooms and locker rooms. Some schools won’t let you use the boys’ bathroom and locker room BUT all schools have to make sure the bathrooms and locker rooms you use are safe for you.
Do my teachers have to call me by the name and gender I want?
If you have legally changed your name or gender (in court), teachers have to call you by your new name or gender. Whether or not you have had your name or gender legally changed, it is a good idea to talk to your teachers and let them know that you have a different name or gender that you would like to go by.
What should I do if I am being treated badly or unfairly at school because of my sexual orientation or gender identity?
You have a right not to be treated badly or unfairly because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that at school or at any school activity, like club meetings, sports or band practice, teachers and other school staff cannot treat you badly or unfairly, AND have to protect you from being treated badly by other students.
If you have been treated badly or unfairly at school, write down what happened and give it to the principal, and a school social worker or counselor. Make sure to tell them if you want to keep your complaint private (meaning the school won’t tell anyone else about it). The school has to do something to fix the problem and protect you from getting hurt or treated unfairly again. BUT they should not try to fix the problem by taking you out of your class or not letting you go to school activities.
Also, please remember that if you have been hurt—physically or sexually—or threatened, you can and should report it to the police.
School Discipline: Suspensions & Expulsions
What is a suspension?
A suspension is when you are not allowed to come to school for 1 or more days.
How long can I be suspended?
You can be suspended up to 5 days. The only way you can be suspended longer than 5 days is if you are being recommended for expulsion, but the school has to have a meeting with your parent first.
Does the school have to let my parents know I have been suspended?
Yes, the school has to send a note to your parent or guardian. They can’t just send you home without telling your parents in writing.
What is an expulsion?
An expulsion is when you are kicked out of school and can’t go to any school in the district for some amount of time.
Do I get to tell my side of the story before they decide whether to expel me?
Yes, there will be a hearing with a few people from the school. You can tell your side of the story. You can bring your own witnesses to the hearing and ask questions of any witnesses the school brings. You can also bring a lawyer or other adult to help you.
How long does an expulsion last?
You can be expelled for no more than 1 semester after the incident happened. But if you are found to have had a gun or explosives, sold drugs, taken out a knife, or sexually assaulted someone, you cannot return for 1 year.
Where can I go to school after I’m expelled?
Even though you can’t go to a regular school when you are expelled, the school district has to have a program for you during this time. It could be a “county school” or some other type of school program.
