Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory Committee
Overview
Seattle Public Schools believes that all students, staff, and families deserve safe and supportive learning environments regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The LGBTQ Advisory Committee serves to advise the Seattle Schools on educational issues relating to school safety, academic achievement, and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, families, and staff in our community.
The LGBTQ 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 quarterly to address school policies, trainings, support groups, school climate, and resources for LGBTQ members of the Seattle School community. The LGBTQ Advisory Committee has been in existence since 1995 and is staffed by the Health Intervention Office of Seattle Public Schools.
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 LGBTQ people in schools.
- Increase visibility of positive role models, including district staff, for LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ students.
- Increase participation by LGBTQ parents/guardians and families in Seattle Public Schools.
- Improve family and staff support for LGBTQ youth.
- Increase support for LGBTQ staff.
Activities
The LGBTQ Advisory Committee has been responsible for helping to:
- Support the activities of the GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances) and LGBTQ Support Groups in the high schools
- Create LGBTQ-related bibliographies for schools and professionals
- Obtain grant funding for age-appropriate LGBTQ books in all the Seattle Public Schools libraries
- Provide training for Principals and school staff on harassment and bullying
- Support the LGBTQ Families Dinner
- Provide the administration and Board with technical support around LGBTQ issues.
Policies
- Anti-Harassment
- Anti-Harassment Procedure Students
- Anti Harassment Procedure Adults
- Equal Opportunity For Employment
- Acts Of Hostility, Defamation Or Discrimination
- Equal Opportunity For Students
Funding
The activities supported by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community grants, and private donations.