Supporting the goals and ideals of the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative, a call to action to communities across the country to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, particularly LGBTQI+ young people, in K-12 schools.
H. Res. 321 is a non-binding House resolution introduced in the 119th Congress. It expresses official support for the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative, a nationwide call to action aimed at ensuring equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students—especially LGBTQI+ youth—in K-12 schools. The measure emphasizes the need for safe, inclusive school climates free from transphobia, homophobia, racism, sexism, and ableism, and it builds on existing awareness days such as the National Day of Silence and No Name-Calling Week. While it does not create new laws or funding, it urges states, territories, and localities to adopt laws and policies that prohibit bias-based victimization, exclusion, and erasure, and it highlights concerns about recent anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and its impact on student well-being and educational outcomes. The resolution cites data and research illustrating discrimination and its consequences for LGBTQI+ students (e.g., missed school days, lower grades, and worse mental health), notes the proliferation of restrictive or censoring bills in state legislatures, and calls for continued advocacy and policy action to protect and affirm LGBTQI+ students, particularly those who are transgender, nonbinary, intersex, people of color, or living with disabilities. It acknowledges the work of students, families, educators, and communities participating in related awareness efforts and encourages broader adoption of inclusive policies at all levels of government.
Key Points
- 1The resolution expresses formal support for the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative and its goals to ensure equal educational opportunity, civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, with a focus on LGBTQI+ youth in K-12 schools.
- 2It recognizes and honors the work of students, families, educators, and communities involved in the National Day of (No) Silence and No Name-Calling Week, highlighting their role in drawing attention to bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
- 3It urges states, territories, and localities to adopt laws and policies that prohibit bias-based victimization, exclusion, and erasure, and to create safe, inclusive learning environments that affirm LGBTQI+ students—including transgender, nonbinary, intersex students, students of color, and students with disabilities.
- 4It cites the current landscape of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and restrictive policies and presents data showing harm to student mental health and academic outcomes from discrimination, with references to studies and surveys (e.g., GLSEN) and recent state laws restricting LGBTQI+ rights.
- 5It endorses policies such as antibullying protections, gender-neutral dress codes, and inclusive teaching practices as effective ways to address hostile school climates and support all students.