Our Commitment

The mission of Jeffco Public Schools is to provide a quality education that prepares each child for a successful future.  We are continuously working to enhance gender and sexuality awareness and inclusive practices across our district.

According to GLSEN National School Climate Surveys, the following actions help to improve school climate, academic achievement, and student well-being for LGBTQ youth:

- Supportive school staff
- Inclusive and affirming curriculum
- Gender and Sexuality Alliances
- Comprehensive policies

Listed below are some links and resources for supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Plus students and addressing LGBTQ-specific issues in schools.

 

SUMMER 2022 PRIDE ACTIVITIES WITH Jefferson County Public Libraries

LGBTQ+ Pride Flag

How To Use This website

The following resources were gathered to support families and community members in engaging in efforts to ensure Jeffco Public Schools is inclusive of gender and sexuality diversity and honors the dignity of each individual.

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This list has been compiled as a living resource and will continually be updated.

  • Learn - resources that encourage critical thinking around the topics of gender, sexuality, and LGBTQ+-specific issues.

  • Connect - resources that provide talking points, conversation starters, and "how to talk about LGBTQ+ issues" with both your family and community.

  • Engage - resources for LGBTQ+ advocacy, celebration, and collaboration.

LEARN

 101: Family friendly IconGay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Teens: Facts for Teens and Their Parents
 Watch: Stress and Resilience in the LGBT Community
 Listen: Queer America podcast
 Read: American Psychological Association: Understanding Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
 Do: Read and Share The Trevor Project’s Coming Out Handbook

CONNECT

 101: FF IconComing Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
 Read: family-friendly contentPicturing Pride - Share this staff curated list from Jefferson County Public Library with young kids to explore and celebrate Pride month and embrace what makes us all unique.
 Do: family-friendly contentThe Center on Colfax - Find virtual and in-person LGBTQ support groups for yourself, your children, or family members to participate in.

ENGAGE

 101: Jeffco Safe Schools Coalition
 Watch:

This video describes the importance of incorporating LGBTQ+ identities in education. Content warning: the video discusses suicide and may have a negative impact on viewers who are sensitive to this issue. Access support 24/7 through National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) or visit the Jeffco Mental Health and Wellness Hub.family-friendly content

TED Talk: Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – Why We Need LGBTQ Education

 Listen: Virtual: On Pride & Love -  6.29.21: Western lesbian writers discuss work, identity and representation. Author visits hosted by Jefferson County Public Library provide an opportunity to connect with community members of every generation, background and interest. The events reflect our dedication to serving people from all cultures and lifestyles; to highlight strong voices that offer a glimpse into different cultures and experiences that enrich and strengthen our community.
 Read: family-friendly contentPride Guide Colorado - Visit this website to find LGBTQ-friendly businesses, resources, activities, and more in our area!
 Do: Take Action with One Colorado - Donate, get involved, volunteer with Colorado’s leading advocacy organization.

ADVANCE / ADVOCATE

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, as well as other departments in Jeffco, strive for inclusive excellence.

We are advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion across Jeffco Public Schools through:

  • Policy enhancements
  • Professional learning
  • School and departmental collaborations to deepen equity in practice
  • Advancing systemic and individualized support for LGBTQ+ employees of color
  • Student programming (Student Voice, Day Without Hate, workshops) and direct support
  • Community engagement efforts

JEFFCO RESOURCES

Use these Jeffco Public Schools resources.

WATCH

Moving Issues To Action - Jeffco Student Voice

Jeffco Student Voice - an initiative that empowers high school students from diverse backgrounds with leadership, cultural awareness, teamwork, and advocacy skills.

Day Without Hate

Day Without Hate is a student-led, grassroots organization that promotes nonviolence, unity, and respect in our schools and communities.

TAKE ACTION

Community members can:

  • Share: If you come across outstanding resources to help people learn about race and racism, please let us know. We would love to hear from you!

  • Visit: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion webpage to learn more about our efforts and opportunities to engage.

LOCAL & NATIONAL RESOURCES

jssco  (JSSCo) Jeffco Safe Schools Coalition - Creating LGBTQIA+ inclusive environments in our schools benefits all students, staff, faculty, families, and the community we live in. The Jeffco Safe Schools Coalition works to build and help maintain those safer spaces for all.
 one colorado One Colorado - One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families. We effectively advocate for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families by lobbying the General Assembly, the executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, transgender equality, relationship recognition, and LGBTQ health and human services.
TYES
 (TYES) Trans-Youth Education & Support in Colorado - TYES empowers and supports families and caregivers of gender expansive youth by providing resources, education, outreach, and advocacy, in order to create supportive environments that allow youth to experience the joy of authenticity.

Transgender Center of The Rockies

 The Transgender Center of The Rockies – The Transgender Center of The Rockies provides holistic gender-affirming services to support transgender and gender-expansive individuals. Our goal is to empower them to live full and authentic lives. We provide social-emotional support and substance use treatment for the adult Colorado trans community with clinical groups, individual counseling, peer-led support groups, employment, and PreP case management and community events.

denver health 

 Denver Health - LGBTQ Primary Care & Health Services - Denver Health’s LGBTQ+ Health Services offers open and affirming health care to LGBTQ+ communities. We have trained medical providers at our 10 community health centers and on Denver Health’s main campus who can provide the medical assistance you need, including patient navigation, assistance in updating gender identification on your credentials, behavioral health and general primary care.  
 ncte National Center for Transgender Equality – The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.
GLSEN logo GLSEN – GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.

Gender Spectrum

 Gender Spectrum - Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. If you are a parent looking for support, a young person looking to connect, a professional interested in learning best-practices, a faith leader seeking resources, or anyone who wants the most up-to-date and accurate information about gender and youth, Gender Spectrum can help.
We understand that this is not an exhaustive list, and these resources may not be linguistically accessible for everyone. If you would like additional resources please reach out to us at [email protected].

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. Jeffco Public Schools assume no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions contained herein. The sources cited and linked in this document are not representatives of the District. Any views expressed by third party sites are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Jeffco Public Schools.

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