Bethesda, MD- NASP is committed to ensuring that all students attend school in inclusive environments free from discrimination. We have long held the belief that the civil rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender students are protected as part of U.S. public schools’ obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This includes respecting a person’s right to express gender identity, and the right to modify gender expression, and to have their gender identity affirmed and acknowledged. As such, we supported the Biden Administration’s final rule that affirmed the rights of LGBTQ+ students in our nation’s schools and aligned with NASP’s professional positions and standards. Yesterday, the ruling by the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Kentucky struck down these rules, reversing critical progress our nation has made toward ensuring schools are safe for LGBTQ+, transgender, and gender diverse youth.
This ruling undermines ongoing efforts to undo harmful, discriminatory policies in many states and localities and stifles the adoption of anti-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ and transgender youth. This decision occurs amidst other concerning efforts that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ youth, such as the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act, which will soon be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives.
It is time for Congress to pass the Equality Act to codify these protections for LGBTQ+ students. NASP calls upon our elected leaders, at all levels of government, to take action to ensure that all students can attend school in environments free from discrimination.
NASP affirms our commitment to advancing policy and practices that support the safety and well-being of all students, including those who are transgender and gender diverse.
NASP will continue to support school psychologists, other school leaders, and public officials in developing and implementing policies and practices that protect and respect the rights of all students, including LGBTQ+ youth. Additional information and resources to help in this effort are available at https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/policy-priorities/relevant-law/title-ix.
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About NASP The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is a professional association representing more than 25,000 school psychologists, graduate students, and related professionals throughout the United States and in an additional 25 countries worldwide. As the world’s largest organization of school psychologists, NASP works to advance effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health. Our vision is that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and throughout life. Further information is available at www.nasponline.org.
