PTSA LGBTQIA+ Statement and Supports

 

The Shorewood High School PTSA stands by and with our LGBTQIA+ students and families.  We are aligned with the WA State PTA resolution on LGBTQ+ Inclusion and the Shoreline School District's policy on protecting transgender students from discrimination.

 

People identifying as LGBTQIA+ have been subject to prejudice, violence and hate throughout history.  The toll this takes on young people is destructive to their sense of self, identity, and bodies.  LGBTQIA+ youth have higher rates depression, drug and alcohol use, and suicide.  These facts cause harm and misunderstanding among all students.

 

Our PTSA believes that our LGBTQIA+ students deserve a safe, accepting, and empowering school environment.  To that end, we trust that all school staff - teachers, coaches, support staff, and administration - are LGBTQIA+ positive in their communications and behaviors inside and outside of school. Furthermore, we expect that they use their authority to hold each other and students accountable for behavior that is exclusive, negative, or derogatory toward LGBTQIA+ people.  Students take their cues from the adult leadership around them.  It is the responsibility of the PTSA, families, staff, and community to ensure that our words, statements, and actions generate a culture of belonging for all groups that have been historically marginalized and treated inequitably.

 

Furthermore, we resolve to use the pronouns as stated by each LGBTQIA+ student. Specifically, we follow Washington state's and the school district's policies: 

 

Washington state law continues to protect transgender students from discrimination in school, which includes names and pronouns, dress codes, student participation in sports and physical education, harassment, and students' use of restrooms and locker rooms.*

 

RESOURCES

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The Human Rights Campaign - from their website:

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Leading the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

We’ve spent 40 years creating the most powerful movement for equality our country has ever seen. But despite this progress, our most marginalized are still suffering from violence, discrimination and fear. Our goal is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world.

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Gay City - from their website:

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Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center cultivates access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation and joy in our communities.

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Statement from President Biden 

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The Trevor Project - from their website:

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Our Mission

To end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer 
& questioning young people.

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Our Vision

A world where all LGBTQ young 
people see a bright future 
for themselves.

 

Our Goal

To serve 1.8 million crisis contacts annually, by the end of our 25th year, while continuing to innovate on our core services.

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Planned Parenthood - What is transphobia?  What is homophobia?

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*https://www.shorelineschools.org/Page/2277