Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) is committed to creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for every student. To accomplish this goal, the District is engaged in efforts to create comprehensive policies, practices and initiatives to support students who identify as LGBTQQ.  During the 2015-16 school year, PAUSD adopted a Gender Equity and Access Board Policy and Administrative Regulation (BP/AR 5157), to describe the rights of LGBTQQ youth and the responsibilities of those that serve them. Much of this work was led by the District LGBTQQ Council, a group of parents, teachers, administrators, students and others dedicated to fostering inclusive communities to ensure the success and well-being of students regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

To support BP/AR 5157, the District has developed signage for all-gender bathrooms for all secondary schools and is in the process of addressing the matter of signage at the elementary level. Additionally, the district has two for to change Name/Gender Maker of Minor. Request for Preferred Name Gender Maker of Minor should be completed when a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) wishes the child to be known by a name different from the name on the birth verification, but whom there has been no legal change of name. The Legal Change of Name/Gender Marker of Minor should be completed when custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have orders or approval for a legal name/gender maker change by a judgment of a California court of competent jurisdiction, and a copy of the order or judgment is provided. The Request for Preferred Name and/or Gender Marker change form should be completed when custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) wishes the child to be known by a name or gender marker different from that on the birth verification, but for whom there has been no legal change of name/gender marker. 

PAUSD has also engaged in significant efforts to promote awareness and capacity of administrators and staff. Partnerships with Outlet and Gender Spectrum have been successful in supporting teacher training.  For example, all new teachers are trained by Outlet on LGBTQQ related matters. Additionally, 25 school staff have been trained on gender diversity by Gender Spectrum through a trainer of trainer model. These staff have since provided training to over 250 staff to promote understanding and knowledge of issues related to gender inclusivity. Both high schools also have a Gay Straight Alliance to support student voice and action.  

PAUSD has also developed an elementary LibGuide to support LGBTQQ related matters. The LibGuide is one of kind at the elementary level and a credit to our teacher librarians.

Finally, our Music and Art Coordinators have an ongoing partnership with TheatreWorks to create educational productions. Last year they collaborated to create, Oskar and the Countless Costume Changes, a K-5 production that addressed issues of gender inclusivity.  

PAUSD is dedicated to promoting inclusion, safety and wellness for every students.  Below are additional resources and tools for students, teacher and families to address LGBTQQ topics.  

For more information please contact the Division of Wellness and Student Support at 650-833-4208.

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Resources for Students

Outlet

Outlet is youth-centered, respecting all individuals and honoring their differences.  Outlet program staff provide a safe environment that is confidential, inclusive, and non-judgmental.  Striving for social justice and engaging youth in achieving freedom, fairness, and equality for all are the core elements of the program.  Outlet services support the emotional, physical, and social development of youth as whole individuals.

LGBTQ Youth Space

Family and Children Services Office (QT Cafe)
375 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306

A safe and open drop-in space for LGBTQQ+ ally folks between the ages of 13-25.  Come get connected to community resources, free wi-fi, volunteer opportunities, and other folks in the community. Or, just come hang out and do homework!  We'll have Google on hand to help you.  Also available: gender-neutral bathrooms, board games, arts and crafts, safer sex supplies, videos games, and snacks. 

Gender Spectrum: Teens

Key tips on knowing your rights, discussing your experiences, and understanding your gender as you navigate your Gender identity across multiple realms.

GLBT National Help Center
Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. Services are free and confidential. They speak with callers of all ages about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and lots more! They also maintain the largest resource database of its kind in the world, with over 18,000 listings. Their database contains information on social and support groups, as well as gay-friendly religious organizations, sports leagues, student groups and more. They also have information on GLBT-friendly businesses including lawyers, doctors and various counseling professionals.   

California Youth Crisis Line
Hotline: 1-800-843-5200

The California Youth Crisis Line is a statewide, toll-free, 24-hour, confidential phone line available to young people between the ages of 12-24, and concerned friends and family members. CCY provides crisis intervention counseling on many issues including family problems, sexual assault, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, suicide and more. CCY offers support, encouragement, and referrals to youth needing assistance or in crisis situations.  

The Trevor Project
Hotline: 1-866-488-7386

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth.  

LGBTQ Resources and College Affordability

The Affordable College website provides a guide of comprehensive resources to help you find the college experience that suits you best. Learn what to look for in a college, discover your rights as a member of the LGBTQ community, explore new avenues for activism, or connect with other LGBTQ students.

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Resources for Families

OUTLET - Outlet is youth-centered, respecting all individuals and honoring their differences.  Outlet program staff provide a safe environment that is confidential, inclusive, and non-judgmental.  Striving for social justice and engaging youth in achieving freedom, fairness, and equality for all are the core elements of the program.  Outlet services support the emotional, physical, and social development of youth as whole individuals. Visit www.acs-teens.org for more information. 

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) is the only national and international organization in the world specifically supporting young people with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender parents.  The offer support and advocacy, and have groups, activities, trips, pen pals, a national conference, a newsletter publication for kids, information and resources, and more. Visit www.colage.org for more information or call (415) 861-KIDS.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a monthly support group open to parents, spouses, siblings, and friends of lesbians and gays.  San Jose meetings take place at United Church of Christ at 1980 Hamilton Ave., San Jose, CA on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.  Visit www.pflagsanjose.org for more information, or call (408) 270-8182

TransFamilies of Silicon Valley - We’re a welcoming community of families with transgender and gender-creative children up and down the San Francisco Peninsula and throughout the South Bay. We hold monthly playgroups for families with young children, social events for family members of all ages, and an active online group for 24/7 parent and guardian support. Contact: TransFamiliesSV@gmail.com

Gender Spectrum: Parenting and Family A comprehensive collection of research, resources, and stories to help any parent, family member, or guardian learn more about gender diversity.
Visit www.genderspectrum.org for more information. 

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) has been advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education since it was founded in 1977. Visit nclrights.org for more information. 

Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Visit transgenderlawcenter.org for more information. 

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. Visit glad.org for more information. 

For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Visit  aclu.org for more information. 

Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Visit lambdalegal.org for more information. 

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Resources for Elementary Teachers

Lesson Plans:

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Resources for Middle School Teachers
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Resources for High School Teachers
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Videos

The Whittington family share their story of having a transgender son who transitioned at the age of five.

All God’s Children presents a political, social, and religious analysis of sexual orientation within the context of the traditional African American values of freedom, inclusion, and the Christian ethic.

De Colores is a bilingual 28-minutes documentary about how Latino families are replacing the deep roots of homophobia with the even deeper roots of love and tolerance. Through moving personal stories we learn about how families are breaking cultural barriers and how love always prevails.

The 12-minute training film What Can We Do? Bias, Bullying, and Bystanders spotlights experienced teachers engaging students with HRC Welcoming Schools lesson plans on bias, bullying and standing up for each other to create a more connected classroom community.

What Do You Know? is an award winning 13-minute film produced by HRC Welcoming Schools for elementary school educators and parents/caregivers. The film features students from Alabama and Massachusetts discussing what they know about LGBTQ people, what they hear at school and how teachers can help. The students offer thoughtful, poignant commentary on their experiences in school with LGBTQ topics and show that students already know about and want teachers to discuss LGBTQ people and topics in the classroom with them.

In a funny talk with an urgent message, LZ Granderson points out the absurdity in the idea that there's a "gay lifestyle," much less a "gay agenda." What's actually on his agenda? Being a good partner — and being a good parent.

Free and Equal is a United Nations campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality