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Thanks for wanting to be more involved to protect the queer kid(s) in your life.

Previous week’s emails can be found here:

https://www.rainbowparentsofne.org/blog

Back To School!

LGBTQ students across Nebraska, and those who love or teach them, have a few more things to consider about back to school than just backpacks and school supplies. School can be rough for any child at times, but LGBTQ children report a number of extra difficulties, as shown in the Nebraska snapshot of GLSEN’s school climate study. Students, parents, and teachers should know their rights and how to advocate for themselves and others, if need be.

Names

For many kids who are socially transitioning, an informal name and pronoun change communicated within the classroom may seem like enough. But even with a supportive teacher, substitutes might use their legal name. Legal names also appear in email addresses, school IDs, yearbooks, athletic rosters, etc. An official change through the district can reduce stress for LGBTQ students, who have a right to be called by the name they use. All schools have the ability to make name changes, but districts vary in how easy the process is. The ACLU of Nebraska has some useful information to help students and parents get their records changed.

Legal Name Changes

If a student is ready for a legal name change, the Nebraska Supreme Court outlines the process. Considerations on the timing include: Are they changing schools? When will they need a state ID or drivers’ license? When will they apply for jobs, get a paycheck, apply for colleges, vote, or get their diploma? After a legal name change, take the court decree to school to change the permanent record. Also, change the name and/or gender on identity documents (license, social security, insurance, passport, bank account, birth certificate, etc.) ASAP.

For Teachers!

Besides respecting students’ correct names and pronouns, and making other adults/substitutes aware of students’ wishes, you can look into the name change process at your school to inform  students and parents, or else advocate for changes in an overly cumbersome process. GLSEN has resources for educators on supporting LGBTQ students at school. Rainbow parents are grateful for the many caring teachers who protect and support our LGBTQ kids.

Students’ Rights in School

GLSEN has more resources for LGBTQ kids, from how to deal with bullying to starting a GSA. The ACLU of Nebraska also has an excellent guide and Q&A information sheet about student rights that could be useful for teachers, parents, and students.

Action Steps

1. Familiarize yourself with students’ rights so you can be an advocate

2. Look up school or district policies on bullying, dress codes, name changes, etc. Are they fair to LGBTQ+ students? Clear? Accessible?

3. If not, become an advocate within your school or district. Contact school or district administration, email your school board representative, speak at a school board meeting, write a letter to the editor, or consider legal action.

4. Lincoln folks: Out Nebraska has a volunteer opportunity coming up that focuses on back to school advocacy. Thursday, August 22nd from 6-8pm at the Foundry. Click here for more details and to sign up.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter!

Don’t forget, you can find our previous email action items here: https://www.rainbowparentsofne.org/blog

Stay tuned for more action steps from Rainbow Parents of Nebraska next week. If you have questions or suggestions for us, please contact us at the links below!

Queer Joy

“Safe Place” signs like these were found this week all over the new middle school of a couple of queer kids in Omaha. Such relief and joy to know so many teachers will have their backs!

Thank you for your partnership in working for a Nebraska where queer kids can live their authentic selves and have the same high quality school experience that all Nebraska kids deserve.