Skip Navigation
Engaged Families & Communities Smart & Just Policies Student Learning Resources
Action Center New from The SCEA
Educator Voice Fair Pay & Benefits
Resource Library Micro-Credentials Center for Educator Wellness & Learning Member Tools & Tips
Our Mission, Vision, & Values Our Leaders Our Members Contact Us
CEWL Beans CEWL Bites CEWL Books CEWL Conversations CEWL Schools CEWL Stories CEWL Vibes CEWL Views CEWL Induction CEWL Wellness CEWL Learning CEWL Team CEWL About CEWL Contact
Start Here: Getting To Know Your Union Making Change With Your Union Leading With Your Union Learning With Your Union Benefits With Your Union The SCEA-Retired The Student SCEA
News & Announcements Legislative Newsletter Events Awards
Contact Our Help Desk
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.

LGBTQ+ RESOURCES

All educators and students deserve to feel safe and supported in inclusive environments. This space is dedicated to providing educators with the information and tools to be an effective champion of LGBTQ+ colleagues and students.

NEA's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Toolkit

LGBTQ+ RIGHTS & PROTECTIONS

On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that LGBTQ employees — including all LGBTQ educators — are protected under federal law from discrimination at work based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that employers, including public employers like school districts and public universities, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Below is a quick reference guide developed by NEA’s Center for Social Justice and General Counsel to help inform educators about their rights as LGBTQ employees.

Educator Rights Under Bostock

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court announced that federal law prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ employees. Based on identical language protecting student rights, courts and the Department of Education agree that federal law prohibits schools that receive federal funding from discriminating against students on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Below is a quick reference guide developed by NEA’s Center for Social Justice and General Counsel to help inform LGBTQ students about their rights. 

Students Rights under Bostock

 

LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY

CEWL Conversations - Advocating for LGBTQ+ Educators with Anthony Brisson

01:00:12 - Anthony Brisson (he/him) is has over 15 years of experience in the field of education as a former high school English teacher, adjunct college professor and education consultant. Anthony moved to Washington, D.C. because he wanted to have a direct impact on public education nationally to help advance equity in education, particularly for LGBTQ+ educators and students. Anthony has trained thousands of educators on various racial and social justice topics/issues: implicit bias, race class narrative, advancing racial justice, LGBTQ+ and intersectional identities, diversity, bullying & sexual harassment, cultural competence, and others. Anthony has a strong background in developing and maintaining relationships with national and governmental agencies, public speaking, training, and moderating panel discussions. Anthony currently manages over 50 trainers nationwide and serves as the lead for all LGBTQ+ issues for the National Education Association. Anthony oversees and manages 5 different training cadres, serves on multiple internal groups for curriculum design, and helps oversee LGBTQ+ partnerships and program implementation for NEA state and local affiliates.

CEWL Conversations LGBTQ+ Advocacy with Jed Dearybury

01:12:36 - Jed Dearybury discusses the importance of advocating for our LGBTQ+ educators and students.

Transgender Neurobiology & Free Will with Robert Sapolsky

01:01:05 - Robert Sapolsky is a neuroendocrinology researcher and author. He is a professor of biology, neurology, neurological sciences, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. Sapolsky has received numerous honors and awards for his work, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 1987, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, and the Klingenstein Fellowship in Neuroscience. He was also awarded the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, the Young Investigator of the Year Awards from the Society for Neuroscience, the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, and the Biological Psychiatry Society. In this conversation, he will share scientific research related to the neurobiology of transgender people with the goal protecting the rights of transgender people via the creation of informed policies.

CEWL Books - Pride Month

09:14 - Join Cassie Owens Moore as she makes book recommendations celebrating Pride Month.

CEWL Schools: Y'all Mean All

18:20 - Join Nurin Willis and Amanda Al-Raba'a for an enlightening conversation around inclusivity in our schools.

Transgender Healthcare with Jessicka Spearman

47:11 - Jessicka Spearman is a dedicated advocate and leader in Anderson County, South Carolina. Currently serving as the President of PFLAG Anderson, she works to support and uplift the LGBTQia+ community and their families. With a background as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Jessicka brings invaluable expertise to her role, offering compassionate guidance and support to those in need. As a mother of four, including a trans child and others within the LGBTQIA community, Jessicka intimately understands the joys and challenges faced by families navigating issues of identity and acceptance. Her personal experiences fuel her commitment to creating inclusive and accepting communities where all individuals can thrive. Born and raised in Anderson County, Jessicka is deeply rooted in her community. Her lifelong connection to the area fuels her passion for creating positive change and building a more inclusive society for future generations.

CEWL Vibes - Why We Need Pride Month

04:21 - Pete Stone makes the case for Pride Month. CEWL stands allied with our LGBTQ+ educators and students in the face of fear and hate.

CEWL Schools with Nurin Willis - Loni Lewis on Freedom to Read

47:54 - Join Nurin Willis and Loni Lewis on the premiere episode of CEWL Schools, a podcast about intersectionality in education. On this episode they discuss the freedom to read.

Protecting Trans Youth - Amy Strong

01:10:08 - Amy Magnafichi Strong has been an educator in many capacities throughout her career. For over 15 years, Amy taught English at the middle school, high school, and university levels. During her graduate studies, she taught in the English Education program at Illinois State University, preparing future secondary English Teachers to teach composition. Amy has also held positions in both NCTE and IATE, serving as President of IATE and currently holding the position of Intellectual Freedom Chairperson. At present, she is earning her Ed.D. with a concentration on intellectual freedom advocacy. Join Amy for this important conversation about advocating for trans youth.

Representation of Sexual Identity in Middle School Books

10:36 - Cassie Moore is a Teacher/Librarian/Media Specialist at Seneca Middle School. She is also the 2021-2022 Oconee District Teacher of the Year. In this video, she recommends several books for middle school students that provide diverse representation of sexual identity.

Embracing Our LGBTQ+ Students Roundtable Discussion

01:03:08

The South Carolina Education Association logo

Your Voice. Our Power. Their Future.

The SCEA is an affiliate of the largest professional association of educators in the country. As the leading advocate for the schools South Carolina students deserve, The SCEA works to promote quality public education and to support public school employees.
About Us
Join The SCEA

The South Carolina Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

Signup

Indicates Required

Validate your The SCEA membership to create an account and access members-only content.

Use the same first and last name as your The SCEA membership.

Find your member ID on the mailing label of NEA Today or by emailing [email protected].
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password.

Login

Indicates Required

Log in to access content only available to The SCEA members.