for Students and Staff
LGBTQ+ Information
MCPS takes pride in the level of support for both students and staff that identify in the LGBTQIA+ community. We have welcoming, affirming schools, classrooms, teams, and clubs. We value all of our children, youth, teachers, staff, and parents.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Emergency Numbers
24/7 free suicide crisis support, available by call, text, or chat:
800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ youth, 100% confidential and free:
Text “START” to 678-678, Call 1-866-488-7386 or Chat
The Trevor Project24/7 free local Montgomery County Crisis Center, in person or call:
240-777-7000 (24/7)
Montgomery County Crisis Center URGENT NEEDS
Information for
Students
Systemwide Policies
- MCPS Student Gender Identity Guidelines
- Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Report
- Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Online Report HERE
- Report Hate-Bias Online Report HERE
Support and Solidarity
- Pride Duck Science
- Coming Out As You Guide
- The Trevor Project Coming Out Handbook
- June LGBTQ Pride Month
- LGBTQ+ Pride Month Profiles
- Find your school Gender Sexuality Alliance: High Schools / Middle Schools / Elementary Schools
- MoCo Pride Youth Meetings
- MCPS Pride Town Hall 2021 (Video)
Curriculum
- Diverse and Inclusive Instructional Materials and Resources
- SORA access directions to Rainbow Reads collection
- Once in SORA, access the Rainbow Reads collection here
- 2022-2023 High School Course Elective - SOC2087 LGBTQ Studies
Information for
Staff
- Staff Affinity Page
- Gender Unicorn
- (Video) MCPS Well-Being Matters LBGTQ+ Inclusivity
- Safe Zone Card
Classroom Supports
- (Video) MHAW 2021: Supporting Nonbinary, Gender Fluid, and Transgender Students at Home & School
- Moco Pride Center Glossary of LGBTQ Terms for 2021
- SORA access directions to the Rainbow Reads collection
- Once in SORA, access the Rainbow Reads collection here
- Gender Spectrum Inclusive Schools Toolkit here
Information for
Parents/Guardians
LGBTQ Information
- Advice for Parents
- Books on Trans Youth
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Tips for Parents
- Local PFLAG Family Support
- MoCo Pride Center Glossary of Terms for 2021
- MCPS Guidelines On Gender Identity and Orientation
- (Video) MCPS Parent Academy To Go: LGBTQ Youth
- (Video) MCPS Pride Town Hall 2021
- (Video) LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
- (Video) MHAW 2021: Supporting Nonbinary, Gender Fluid, and Transgender Students at Home & School
PFLAG's Great LGBTQIA+ Guide
30 page comprehensive guidebook for all
- Activities and Drop In Centers
- Coming Out
- Healthcare
- Transgender resources
- Parent Information
- School Counselor and GSA Sponsors
- Cultural/Racial Intersections
- Faith
- Military
- Visibility and Empowerment
Advocate for Transgender Rights
Gavin Grimm
Gavin Grimm is a nationally known advocate for transgender rights. At the age of 15, Gavin was banned from using the men's restroom in his school because he is a transgender man. He testified to his school district, explaining that as a transgender teen, being forced to use bathrooms at school besides the one that matched his gender was “alienating” and “humiliating.” With support from the ACLU, Gavin took his case through the legal system all the way to the Supreme Court who, by declining to hear Grimm vs Gloucester County School Board in 2021, upheld lower court's rulings that not allowing Gavin to use the men's restroom violated his constitutional rights under Title IX. Gavin today is 23 and continues to advocate for his community.