LGBTQIA+ Resources

Creating a safe and inclusive school environment begins within our classrooms, hallways, and school policies.  This section outlines the internal support available to students of our LGBTQIA+ community, including affirming practices, inclusive curriculum efforts, and the development of student-led programs.  These initiatives aim to promote belonging, reduce bias, and foster and sustain a culture of inclusion where every identity is valued and respected.

Curriculum

• Inclusive Curriculum – Incorporate LGBTQIA+ figures, history, and themes into lessons aligned with VA SOLs.

Student Supports

• Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) – Support the formation and maintenance of student-led GSAs at middle and high schools.  The clubs may go by other names (Equal Club, Pride Club, etc.)
• Safe Zones – Train staff and place visible signage to indicate safe spaces.
• Recognize June as LGBTQIA Pride Month across APS

Staff & Family Engagement

• DEI & LGBTQIA+ Training – Ongoing professional development with APS and outside experts.
• Parent/Caregiver Workshops – Sessions on understanding gender identity, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and available community resources.

Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equitable Practices Training

APS educators and staff play a key role in creating inclusive schools. To support this, the DEI office provides ongoing training on LGBTQ+ inclusion and equitable teaching. This professional development helps educators meet Virginia’s Standard 6 on Professionalism by promoting culturally responsive and equitable teaching. It encourages reflection and action, equipping staff with strategies to create learning environments where all students feel valued and empowered. Participants learn how identity, bias, and systemic inequities impact education. They develop skills to engage all students—especially historically marginalized—by affirming their experiences and providing rigorous, inclusive instruction. This training affirms and uplifts students’ experiences of our LGBTQ+ community, families, and staff by embedding inclusive practices and identities-affirming strategies into every aspect of instruction, school climate, and student support.

• Normalize LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Pedagogy
• Creating and Sustaining Safe School Environments
• Enhancing Support Systems for Students of our LGBTQ+ Community
• Reducing Bias and Expanding Self-Awareness
• Supporting Families and Caregivers
• Strengthening Systemic Change

The APS DEI office strives to use this training to:

• Promote psychological safety for LGBTQIA+ students
• Cultivate allyship and leadership among staff
• Uphold their professional responsibilities under Standard 6

Resources

• GLSEN – Offers educator toolkits and school climate research.
• Classroom Resources – Educate & Celebrate
• 15 LGBTQ Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by Queer Librarians, Educators, and Independent Booksellers – NY Times
• LGBTQIA+ Resources – National Education Association