Just in time for the new school year the U.S. Department of Education has updated Title IX with new regulations which have officially gone into effect marking a significant milestone in the fight for safe & inclusive learning environments for our LGBTQ students. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN stated, "Today's implementation of the updated Title IX regulations is a crucial step toward ensuring that every LGBTQ+ student feels safe, supported & respected in their schools. These protections are not just about policy—they are about the real lives of students who deserve to learn in environments free from bullying & harassment. If a child does not feel safe in school, they simply will not learn. These urgently needed updates to Title IX remain the minimum legal obligation for schools in supporting their student populations. Despite the legal battles & resistance, we must continue to advocate for inclusive education that goes above & beyond what is legally require to truly honor and protect all students." The need for these protections is underscored by data from GLSEN's 2021 National School Climate Survey which revealed that 83% of LGBTQ students reported being victimized in school yet 62% never reported these incidents to school staff. Further FBI data from early 2024 indicates a significant increase in hate crimes on K-12 campuses in states with anti-trans policies. Enumerating sexual orientation & gender identity within Title IX’s scope can help bridge the trust gap & ensure more effective reporting & handling of harassment cases. GLSEN is the nation’s largest advocate for LGBTQ issues in K-12 education & has been dedicated to establishing inclusive schools & learning environments for over 34 years.
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