AAUW-WA Supports Gender-Inclusive Schools and Post-Secondary Education

What are gender-inclusive schools?

“Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of gender expression and gender identity in Washington public schools. All students have the rights to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school.” (WA State OSPI Gender-Inclusive Schools)

AAUW-WA believes that compliance with federal and state laws is the “Floor, Not the Ceiling” for best practices.

For the latest updates on federal and state policies, please see these websites and check with your local schools.

Federal

• Title IX and Sex Discrimination, U.S. Department of Education

WA State K-12

• Gender-Inclusive Schools, OSPI
• Sex Equity in Athletics, OSPI
• Complaints and Concerns about Discrimination, OSPI
• Check with your local school district to learn more about their policies.

WA State Post-Secondary Education

• WA Student Achievement Council: 2024 – Statement on Title IX
• WA State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, Title IX in Educational Programs
• Check with your local post-secondary institutions to learn more about their policies.

AAUW-WA supports transgender and non-binary students.

Here are some resources to learn more about the importance of supporting our transgender and nonbinary students:

• WA State LGBTQ Commission advocates for LGBTQ+ equity in all aspects of state government
• WA State Education Association provides a list of state LGBTQ+ Advocacy groups.
• The Trevor Project advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and provides links to articles to share understandings of gender identity and the gender spectrum, and guides for supporting transgender and non-binary young people.
• Movement Advancement Project (MAP) provides summaries of laws proposed and passed that are related to LGBTQ+ individuals and/or issues.
• The Pew Research Center continues to study and report transgender issues.

 

 

Updated April 11, 2025