Fostering Inclusive School Environments for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students

In Chicago Public Schools, more than 2% of high school students and 1% of middle school students identify as transgender. Transgender and gender non-conforming youth are more likely to be bullied at school, use substances, and have poor mental health. Safe and supportive school environments protect against these negative outcomes for all youth, especially transgender youth.

To improve support for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, Chicago Public Schools was among the first large school districts in the nation to release guidelines outlining gender-affirming protocols and policies in schools. The guidelines describe ways that schools are expected to create safe and supportive spaces for all students, such as ensuring they are protected from bullying and discrimination and establishing their right to privacy, open expression of their gender identity, and to be addressed by their affirmed name and pronouns.