The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) students, families, and staff across the five boroughs through a variety of policies and programs.
Contact
If you have LGBTQ+-related questions or need LGBTQ+ support at your NYCDOE school, contact LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov. A NYCDOE staff member checks this inbox Monday through Friday throughout the year, except for observed holidays.
Please also follow NYCDOE updates for students, families, and schools on our NYC Schools Pride Instagram account.
Events, Curriculum, and Resources for Schools
NYCDOE LGBTQ+ Support InfoHub Page
NYCDOE school leaders, teachers, and staff should also visit the LGBTQ+ Supports InfoHub page for more information for professional development opportunities and educator resources.
Sign-in with your DOE credentials at https://infohub.nyced.org and then do a keyword search for “LGBTQ” or, after you are signed in, visit https://infohub.nyced.org/LGBTQ.
Inclusive Curriculum
Curriculum is both a window and a mirror, both allowing students who are not LGBTQ+ to see the experiences of others and also providing a reflection for LGBTQ+ students. These efforts include incorporating LGBTQ+ history, reading books by LGBTQ+ authors, and ensuring sexual health curriculum is inclusive of all identities.
The NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) has invested resources in the creation of LGBTQ+ affirming curriculum. These include:
Policy
It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) to maintain a safe and supportive school environment for all students free from harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying and free from discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.
NYCDOE Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students and NYCDOE Guidelines on Gender Inclusion
As part of this commitment, students, families, and staff should review the Guidelines on Gender, which include the Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students and the Guidelines on Gender Inclusion.
NYCDOE Respect for All: Preventing and Addressing Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
Respect for All is our system-wide response to bullying and harassment. We are committed to keeping our schools safe, supportive, and free from discrimination. Learn more about resources, related policy, and procedures for filing complaints of bullying or harassment at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/RespectForAll.
Title IX Policy
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. The NYCDOE is committed to complying with Title IX and ensuring that NYCDOE schools and workplaces are free of sex discrimination.
Questions regarding Title IX compliance should be referred to:
Title_IX_Inquiries@schools.nyc.gov
718-935-4987
65 Court Street, Room 1102
Brooklyn, NY 11201
For more information on Title IX protections, policies, and how to file a Title IX complaint, visit the Title IX family-facing NYCDOE page.
K-12 Students Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
The K-12 Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities serves as a guide for students as they strive to become productive citizens in a diverse society. Learn more at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/StudentRights.
Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) Student Clubs
A GSA is a type of student club, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end harassment or discrimination for LGBTQ+ students. The clubs help all students to receive support, including allies and children of LGBTQ+ parents.
The first step is for an interested student to approach a trusted adult in their school building, perhaps a guidance counselor, the school's Respect for All liaison, a supportive teacher, or the principal. The student should inform the trusted New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) adult that they would like to start a GSA club and ask them what the process would be. If they need help or support, they can email LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov.
OUT for Safe Schools®
The OUT for Safe Schools® campaign is a national initiative that supports school-based staff to visibly identify as trusted adults to LGBTQ students. School staff receive training in building affirming environments for LGBTQ students before receiving badges (pictured below) for the school community. When you see a NYCDOE staff member wear an OUT for Safe Schools badge, you know that staff member been trained by the NYCDOE in LGBTQ+ concepts, policies, and resources. If you have questions, please contact LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov.
2022-23 Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship
Graduating students may apply for the annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative, a partnership between the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE), the New York Yankees, and the Stonewall Inn. Now in its fifth year, this one-time scholarship of $10,000 is awarded to a student from each borough to celebrate the achievements of New York City public school graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement and impactful support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising and celebrate the achievements of New York City public school students, the Yankees-Stonewall Scholars initiative was announced in September 2018 and named its first class of recipients in the spring of 2019.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- A current senior in high school with at least a 2.5 GPA
- Intending on attending a two-year or four-year college
- Exhibited a commitment to equality, leadership in the area of LGTBQ+ support, and made significant contributions to the LGTBQ+ community
Student Application
The Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship application period begins on Monday, February 6, 2023, and ends on Monday, April 10, 2023. Interested students can access the online application. Each application should include a teacher recommendation letter and two 500-word essays based on the prompts described on the application.
Organizations
Community-based LGBTQ Organizations
Find more LGBTQ+ resources and events from these organizations.
June 2023 Pride Month Events
NYCDOE school leaders, teachers, and staff should visit the LGBTQ+ Supports InfoHub page for various free June 2023 Pride events for students and families, as well as free Pride professional development opportunities and educator resources.
Starting in May 2023 through June 2023, NYCDOE will update the LGBTQ+ Supports InfoHub page with free June 2023 Pride events for students and professional development opportunities for school leaders, teachers, and staff. Sign-in with your DOE credentials at https://infohub.nyced.org/ and then do a keyword search for “LGBTQ” or, after you are signed in, visit https://infohub.nyced.org/LGBTQ. For questions about Pride events, email LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov