Major health, education, and child welfare organizations have released a national call to action in response to recently released data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS), which continues to find stark disparities in the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ young people when compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. To empower and guide more youth-serving professionals to take action around the safety, health, and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, we have compiled a list of resolutions and position statements from major health, education, and child welfare organizations. These powerful documents provide evidence-based recommendation on how youth-serving professional can create safe, supportive, and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth

We encourage all youth-serving professionals to use and share these resolutions and position statements as guides to creating safe, supportive, and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth.

Project THRIVE Partner Organizations:

American Federation of Teachers

LGBTQ+ Faculty
This position statement provides recommendations for college campuses looking to create more LGBTQ+-inclusive environments for faculty and students.

American School Counseling Association

The School Counselor and LGBTQ+ Youth
This position statement explicitly states that school counselors should promote equal opportunity and respect for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The School Counselor and Transgender/Gender-nonconforming Youth
This position statement outlines ASCA's position on the role of school counselors in the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming youth.

National Association for College Admissions Counseling

LGBTQ+ Students
This page details NACAC's position on accepting LGBTQ+ students.

National Association of School Nurses

LGBTQ+ Students
This statement outline's NASN's rationale and background for the necessity of supporting LGBTQ+-inclusive policies in order to provide culturally competent care for all.

National Association of School Psychologists

LGBTQ+ Youth
This page provides a list of resources supporting NASP's firm belief that school psychologists are ethically obligated to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity for the development and expression of their personal identity in a school climate that is safe, accepting, and respectful of all persons and free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and abuse.

Safe Schools for Transgender & Gender-Diverse Students
This position statement provides clear support for efforts to ensure that schools are safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, family members, and school staff, including transgender and gender-diverse students.

National Association of Secondary School Principals

Transgender Students
This position statement provides guiding principles, recommendations, and resources for principals to create and sustain a school environment in which transgender students are known, accepted and valued, trusted and respected, cared for and encouraged to be an active and responsible member of the school community.

LGBTQ+ Students and Educators
This page outlines NASSP's commitment to supporting the rights, safety, and identity of all LGBTQ+ students, acknowledge historical marginalization and bias, and state opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

National Education Association

New Business Item 3
This statement outlines the NEA's continued commitment to the advancement of the rights of LGBTQ+ students and educators and their actions to counter anti-LGBTQ+ backlash.

New Business Item A
This statement outlines the NEA’s action plan to prevent acts of discrimination and violence targeted at people who are perceived or identify as LGBTQ+.

National Parent Teacher Association

National PTA Resolution on LGBTQ+ Individuals as a Protected ClassThis resolution outlines the National PTA’s recognition of LGBTQ people as a protected class, defines the scope of that recognition, and outlines the steps taken by the National PTA.

School Social Work Association of America

Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth
This statement outlines SSWAA's belief that all students, regardless of LGBTQ+ identity, should be afforded equal educational opportunities in a safe and supportive school environment.

Promoting the Well-being of LGBTQIA+ Students
This statement goes over the issues LGBTQ+ youth are facing and the role of the school social worker in promoting equity and well-being for the LGBTQ+ youth they serve.

Other Organizations:

American Psychological Association

Position Statement on Issues Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Minority Status
This statement affirms and supports gender identity and sexual orientation as part of the human condition, opposition to stigma and conversion therapy efforts, as well as affirming mental health treatments.

Contact Us:

If you are aware of other resolutions or position statements from national organizations focused on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ youth, please email us at: YouthWellBeing@hrc.org