National PTA, GLSEN, Education Organizations Submit Joint Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in Support of Gavin Grimm and Transgender Students
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Cathy Renna
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March 2, 2017—Seven leading education organizations representing millions of students, families, and educators submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Gavin Grimm in the case of G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board. Several of the organizations issued this joint statement regarding the brief:
GLSEN: “This case brings to the nation’s highest court an issue GLSEN has advocated for decades: providing basic rights for transgender students in schools. All students have a right to a safe, supportive and respectful learning environment, including transgender students. Gavin Grimm’s story is one of countless transgender youth who suffer discrimination in schools and GLSEN is confident that the law is on our side. We have seen a tremendous increase in visibility of and public education about the trans community of late and this historic case will mark a milestone in American civil rights history,” said Dr. Eliza Byard, Executive Director of GLSEN, the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students.
National PTA: “Every child deserves to receive a great education in a safe, supportive, positive and inclusive environment. However, like Gavin, the vast majority of LGBTQ
students are bullied, physically assaulted and feel unsafe in school because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA, the nation’s oldest and largest child advocacy association. “There is a need for explicit protection of LGBTQ youth as it is critical to their overall health and well-being and long-term success. National PTA is pleased to team up with GLSEN and other education organizations on the amici curiae brief in support of Gavin and all LGBTQ students and to ensure every child is treated fairly and equally under the law.”
American School Counselor Association: “Childhood and adolescence is a time of tremendous intellectual, emotional and physical growth for students as well as crucial
periods of exploration and discovery about themselves and their identity. Schools and educators should provide all the support they can to help students navigate these times of change and should not be constrained by policies that marginalize or discriminate against certain students,” said Richard Wong, Ed.D., executive director of the American School Counselor Association. “ASCA is proud to support this important effort to ensure safe and positive learning environments for all students.”
National Association of School Psychologists: “The National Association of School Psychologists strongly supports clear federal guidance protecting all students civil rights
under Title IX,” states NASP President Melissa Reeves. “Schools nationwide are increasingly supporting and affirming these rights for transgender students; however,
federal guidance that more explicitly clarifies this protection is needed in order to ensure the protection of students’ civil rights in every school in the country. These basic rights are essential to students learning and well-being and should not be dependent on where they live.”
The following organizations signed on to the amicus brief:
GLSEN – www.glsen.org
National PTA – www.pta.org
American School Counselor Association – www.schoolcounselor.org
National Association of School Psychologists – www.nasponline.org
National Association of Independent Schools – www.nais.org
Colorado Association of School Executives – www.co-case.org
Massachusetts Association of School Committees – www.masc.org
About GLSEN
GLSEN champions safe and affirming schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to their local communities. GLSEN’s progress and impact have won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org.
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth.
