Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools

HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. Our program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. We uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.
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Schedule a Welcoming Schools Premier Training - Virtual or In-Person!

Welcoming Schools offers professional development virtually and in-person. All of our trainings feature comprehensive pre-training for asynchronous learning and skilled facilitators who will work with your school team virtually or in-person!

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Find LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Resources for Your School

Ready-to-use lesson plans, books and resources to give educators the tools to create welcoming and inclusive school communities.

Welcoming Schools Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2024

Against book bans, anti-transgender bathroom bills and sports bans, the Welcoming Schools program introduced new resources and provided critical services and training to a record number of educators and school leaders over the past year!

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Welcoming Schools Lesson Plan: What is Pride?

In this lesson, students will understand and relate to the many ways that we can feel pride and be proud of ourselves. They will have the opportunity to explore why June is called “Pride Month'' and why it is important to the LGBTQ+ community.

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Welcoming Schools Pride Booklist

Pride Month celebrates the lives, accomplishments, and potential of the LGBTQ+ community. People deserve to be seen, heard, and affirmed and these titles for Elementary and Secondary offer affirmation for young readers. Check out Welcoming Schools newly released pride booklist now!

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Be Prepared: Responding to Kids’ Questions on LGBTQ+ Topics

Children ask a lot of questions, and some are challenging to answer quickly or succinctly. Check out these responses to help ensure that you are prepared to give your children or students the answers they need.

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Sign up for the Welcoming Schools Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest Welcoming Schools resources and events by signing up to receive our monthly newsletter!

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Welcoming Schools Pronouns 101

It is important to be intentional about the way we use pronouns so we can create an affirming, inclusive environment for everyone. Check out the new Welcoming Schools Pronouns 101 resource for information on what a pronoun is, why pronouns matter and pronoun etiquette tips!

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