Dear College of Education Community,
Self-care includes a commitment to the wellbeing of all of us, including our transgender community, to live free from violence, fear, and discrimination. We continue to witness attacks on our transgender community. Last week our college Equity and Faculty Affairs Committee sponsored a Social Justice Dialogue with Dr. Julie Vitale, Superintendent of Oceanside School District, who presented the challenges that LGBTQ K-12 students face, with a very moving video about a transgender student. Our various College of Education professional organizations affirm safeguarding our LGBTQI+ community in each organization’s ethical and professional standards. As one example, the National Association of School Psychologists outlines policies and practices to support the safety and well-being of all students, including those who are transgender and gender diverse. On their website, NASP states, “We believe that the civil rights of transgender students are protected as part of U.S. public schools’ obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This includes respecting a person’s right to express gender identity, and the right to modify gender expression when necessary, and to have their gender identify affirmed and acknowledged. Our position is consistent with all major medical, mental health, and education organizations.” NASP has developed resources for school psychologists, teachers, counselors, school leaders, and public officials to aid them in developing and implementing policies and practices that respect the rights of transgender and gender diverse students. Resources to help in this effort are available below.
Policy Documents
- Position Statement: Safe Schools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students
- Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
- Joint NASP/APA Resolution on Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity in Children and Adolescents in Schools
- NASP's Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Professional Development Resources
- Podcast: Helping Transgender Students Succeed at School and at Home
- Webinar: Creating an Inclusive School Environment for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students: Tools for Leading Change
Publications and Research
- FAQ: Gender Inclusive Schools: Policy, Law, and Practice
- Dot Brief: Safe and Supportive Schools for LGBTQ Students
- Communiqué Article: Safe School Environments for Transgender Students
- Communiqué Article: Keeping Up With Transgender Youth
- Principal Leadership Article: Transgender Youth
- Communiqué Article: Gender and School Psychology: Let’s Talk About Gender
- School Psychology Forum Article: Therapeutic Work With Gender-Variant Children: What Schools Psychologists Need to Know
- School Psychology Forum Article: Parents of Youth Who Identify as Transgender: An Exploratory Study
Resources From Allied Organizations
- AAP Statement in Support of Transgender Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
- Montgomery County Public Schools Guidelines Regarding Student Gender Identity Matters
- 2016 U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students
- American Psychological Association Division 16: Promoting Resiliency for Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Students in Schools
- The Trevor Project’s Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention
- PDF: GLSEN Model District Policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students
To read more, go to
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
Our College of Education remains committed to the wellbeing and safety of our transgender and LGBTQI+ members on campus and within the schools and communities we serve.
Warmly,
Shari