Office of Student and Family Support

Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students

1. Training and Technical Assistance

   The Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, an initiative of the Department and the Commission, can provide your district with training and technical assistance on issues pertaining to building safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ students; meeting the needs of transgender and gender-nonconforming students; the implementation of related suicide, violence and bullying prevention efforts; and the reduction of health disparities for LGBTQ students. Please send the name and contact information of your liaison(s), GSA advisor(s), and any requests for training or technical assistance to safeschoolsprogram@doe.mass.edu or contact the Safe Schools Program Coordinator at 781-338-6319.

2. The Massachusetts Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Leadership Council

   Modeled on the Student Advisory Council to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council provides networking and skill-building opportunities for GSA student leaders and advisors to promote student leadership and improve school climate. The GSA Leadership Council consists of a state council and six regional councils. The State GSA Leadership Council is comprised of students who attended the annual GSA Leadership Summit in August. The regional leadership councils consist of student leaders and adult advisors. State and regional council meetings take place bi-monthly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

   We invite you to register a team of up to four students and two adult advisors to join other GSA student leaders and advisors at the regional council meetings. Because the state and regional council meetings occur during school time, we ask that you support student and advisor attendance with appropriate arrangements for excused absences. On the next page you will find a list of meeting dates and locations. The following link contains additional information: Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council.

3. Information on Federal and State Laws and Policies regarding LGBTQ Students

   The following link contains information about federal and state laws and policies regarding LGBTQ students, including information about the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law, the Regulations for the Student Anti-discrimination Law, the Guidance on Notifying Parents When a Student Has Been Bullied Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity/Expression, the Guidance on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity, and the Principles for Ensuring Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ Students: Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students.

   In response to a number of Massachusetts school districts expressing the need for a third gender option, this past year the Department updated SIMS, EPIMS and SSDR to include a new value of nonbinary (N). This gender marker is in addition to female (F) and male (M). Nonbinary represents individuals for whom male/female does not accurately reflect their identity.

   Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. We are proud that Massachusetts is a leader in this regard and that there have been significant improvements in the past 25 years. We look forward to continuing this important work with you.

Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council Meetings 2017-2018