Safe Schools for All: Resources

OutFront Minnesota works to make Minnesota's educational system as safe, respectful and effective as possible for LGBT students through education, training and collaborative work in our Public Policy, Community Organizing, legal advocacy and Anti-Violence programs.

We believe that ALL students are entitled to a school environment where they are free from harassment and discrimination in order to receive the best education possible. We recognize that LGBT parents are entitled to a school system that respects their families, along with all families in the community.

We know that teachers perform best when they are able to be free from concern about being reprimanded for supporting LGBT youth and/or experiencing their own discrimination in the workplace. We understand that communities are strengthened through effective schools, and that schools are made effective through strong leadership.

OutFront Minnesota encourages youth, educators, parents and community members to utilize us as a resource in helping make our schools safe for LGBT youth. Please contact us if you would like to know more about what we are doing, what you can do, or if you feel that your school needs assistance in supporting LGBT youth.

Below you will find a variety of resource links to organizations working alongside OutFront Minnesota to educate, inform and support LGBT youth.

Also see: Minneapolis Public Schools Guidance for Administrators: Ensuring Equal Opportunity from Harassment for Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students and Staff (PDF).

Resources for Youth (Local)

• Avenues for Homeless Youth
  Host homes for homeless LGBT youth
• District 202
  A youth center for LBGTQ youth and their allies
• Face to Face
  Resource for LGBT adolescents and their families
• Gender Education Center
  Transgender resources and information for education and outreach
• Minnesota Schools OUTreach Coalition
• Out for Equity
  LGBT support services in Saint Paul Public Schools with after-school center safe space for LGBTA youth
• Out 4 Good
  Supports LGBT students, teachers, staff, and families in the Minneapolis Public Schools
• Teens Alone
  Providing support services to youth and families in the Western suburbs
• The Bridge for Youth
  Provides safe shelter for all youth and counseling for families and individuals
• The Garage
  Burnsville Youth center where young people can be themselves and have access to the resources
• Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN)
  Safe places for all transgender youth
• Youth and AIDS Project
  U of M Youth and AIDS Project helps youth prevent HIV and provides care for youth and families with HIV
• Youth Link
  Services for homeless and at-risk youth
• Reclaim
  Increasing access to mental health support so LGBT youth may reclaim their lives from oppression

Resources for Youth (National)

• The Trevor Project
  Crisis and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth
• Families Like Mine
  Support for families with gay parents
• Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network
  Creating safe schools for LGBT people
• Oasis Magazine
  Online webzine for LGBTQ youth
• Amplify Your Voice: Youth Resource
  A project of Advocates for Youth providing news and community for LGBT youth
• Positive.org
  Provides factual sexuality and sexual health information for LGBT youth.
• National Youth Advocacy Coalition
  National youth advocacy organization
• GSA Network
  Empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in school
• Find Youth Info
  Promotes the goal of positive, healthy outcomes for youth
• Pacer Center: National Center for Bullying Prevention
  
• Safe Schools Coalition
  Resources as a starting point for educators, parents/guardians and youth
• TransActive
  Provides support to improve the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families

Resources for Parents (Local)

• PFLAG Twin Cities
  Supporting parents, families, and friends of LGBT people Metro Chapter
• The Family Partnership
  Working with families and communities to solve problems and create healthy, safe homes and neighborhoods
• aMaze
  Working to create safe and respectful communities by promoting the knowledge, attitudes, and skills

Resources for Parents (National)

• Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere
• Family Pride Coalition
• Gay Parent Magazine
• Family Equality Council
  Working at all levels of government to advance full social and legal equality on behalf LGBT families
• Stop Bullying Now
  A resource to learn all about bullying and what you can do to stop it

Resources for Educators (Local)

• Minnesota School OUTreach Coalition
  Creating healthy learning environments where gender identity / expressions are respected

Resources for Educators (National)

• U.S. Department of Education
  Understanding bullying among young people and providing information to create or refine school-based bullying prevention plans
• National School Climate Center: BullyBust
  Helping students and adults stand up to bullying and end harmful harassment and violence in schools
• National Education Association
  School Employee's Guide to LGBT Issues
• Advocates for Youth
  Helping young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health
• Lambda Legal
  Pursuing litigation, education and advocacy on behalf of equality and civil rights for LGBT people and people with HIV
• No Name Calling Week
  Tools to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying
• Safe Schools Coalition
  Resources as a starting point for educators, parents / guardians and youth
• Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
  Provides information about sexuality and sexual and reproductive health.
• Southern Poverty Law Center: Teaching Tolerance
  Resources for teaching tolerance
• The Person Project
  Advocating for LGBT-inclusive curricular policies

Resources for Community (National)

• NGLTF
  National Gay and Lesbian TaskForce
• GLAAD
  Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
• Queer Resources Directory
• Transgender Network International
  Place of support for all transgender people and allies
• FTMInternational
  A resource for Female-to-Male transgender people
• American Civil Liberties Union
  Provides news and resources about fighting anti-LGBT discrimination
• Queer Theory
  Resources in Queer Culture, Theory and Studies and Gender Studies
• Lambda 10 Project
  GLB Greek letter organization resources
• The Advocate Magazine
• Gender Education and Advocacy
  Educates and advocates for all people who suffer from gender-based oppression