Goals
Actitives
Policies
How we are funded
Additional Resources
Becoming Involved

The GLBTQ Advisory Committee is a team of school district staff, students, families, and members of the community. It advises the Superintendent and School Board on issues pertaining to safe and welcoming school environments for all students, staff, and families regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The advisory committee meets monthly to address school policies, trainings, support groups, school climate, and resources for GLBTQ members of the Seattle School community. The GLBTQ Advisory Committee has been in existence since 1995 and is staffed by the Health Education Office of Seattle Public Schools.

Seattle Public Schools believes that all students, staff, and families deserve safe and supportive learning environments regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The GLBTQ Advisory Committee serves to advise the Seattle Schools on educational issues relating to school safety, academic achievement, and inclusion for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, families, and staff in our community.

Goals

We support programs to achieve the following goals and ally ourselves with others working to increase safety, family involvement, and student achievement

• Increase safety and sense of belonging for GLBTQ people in schools.
• Increase visibility of positive role models, including district staff, for GLBTQ students in order to promote self-esteem, academic achievement, and respect for diversity.
• Reduce high-risk sexual behaviors, substance abuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, and dropout rate for GLBTQ students.
• Increase participation by GLBTQ parents/guardians and families in Seattle Public Schools.
• Improve family and staff support for GLBTQ youth.
• Increase support for GLBTQ staff.

Activities

The GLBTQ Advisory Committee has been responsible for helping to:

• Support the activities of the GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances) and GLBTQ Support Groups in the high schools
• Create GLBTQ-related bibliographies for:
  • Elementary Students **
  • Middle School Students **
  • High School Students
  • Adults and Professionals **
• Obtain grant funding for age-appropriate GLBTQ books in all the Seattle Public Schools libraries
• Provide a one-time training for Principals and school staff on harassment and bullying **
• Support the GLBTQ Families Dinner
• Provide the administration and Board with technical support around GLBTQ issues.

Policies

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICIES

Anti-Harassment C03.00
Anti-Harassment Procedure Students C03.01
Anti Harassment Procedure Adults C03.02

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICIES

Equal Opportunity For Employment C02.00
Acts Of Hostility, Defamation Or Discrimination C04.00
Equal Opportunity For Students H34.00

How we are funded

The activities supported by the GLBTQ Advisory Committee are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community grants, and private donations.

Additional Resources

Advocates for Youth
Families Like Ours
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Safe Schools Coalition
Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Seattle LGBT Community Center

Becoming Involved in the GLBTQ Advisory Committee

For more information on how to become involved in the GLBTQ Advisory Committee, contact Lisa Love at (206) 252-0982 or LLove@seattleschools.org. Students can earn service-learning credits for involvement in the GLBTQ Advisory Committee.

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