AUSD Resources and Supports for LGBTQ Students and Their Families
Alameda Unified School District is committed to protecting the rights, safety and well-being of each and every student served. As a public organization, AUSD follows state and federal laws to ensure students have access to safe and welcoming learning environments.
The information on this page is provided to assist students and families and to address questions and concerns about how AUSD policy recognizes and protects the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.
LGBTQ Affirming Policies and Practices
CA Law and AUSD Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in Schools
Student Rights and Protections
- Definitions
- Privacy
- Official Records
- Names/Pronouns
- Gender-Segregated Activities
- Student Information Systems
- Restroom Accessibility
- Locker Room Accessibility
- Physical Education Classes & Intramural Sports
- Interscholastic Competitive Sports Teams
- Dress Codes
- Discrimination/Harassment
- Transferring to Another School
- Additional Questions or Concerns
- Acknowledgements
Definitions
These definitions guide AUSD in administration of its policies which protect the rights of all AUSD students and families to receive respectful treatment.
- “Gender identity” is a person’s deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. Everyone has a gender identity.
- •“Transgender” describes people whose gender identity is different from their gender assigned at birth.
- •“Gender expression” refers to the way a person expresses gender, such as clothing, hairstyles, activities, or mannerisms.
- “Gender nonconforming” describes people whose gender expression differs from stereotypical expectations, such as “feminine” boys, “masculine” girls, and those who are perceived as androgynous
Privacy
Official Records
Names/Pronouns
A student has the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to the student’s gender identity. A court-ordered name or gender change is not required, and the student need not change his or her official records. The intentional or persistent refusal to respect a student’s gender identity (for example, intentionally referring to the student by a name or pronoun that does not correspond to the student’s gender identity) violates AUSD discrimination and harassment policies.
Gender-Segregated Activities
Student Information Systems
AUSD has modified its student information system to prevent disclosure of confidential information and ensure school personnel use a student’s preferred name and pronoun consistent with their own gender identity. Please contact the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for assistance with updating AUSD records for this specific purpose.
Restroom Accessibility
Students shall have access to the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity as consistently asserted at school. Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of underlying reason, should be provided access to a single stall restroom, but no student shall be required to use such a restroom.
Locker Room Accessibility
The use of locker rooms by transgender students shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the goals being 1) maximizing the student’s social integration and equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes and sports, 2) ensuring the student’s safety and comfort, and 3) minimizing any potential stigmatization. In most cases, transgender students should have access to the locker room that corresponds to their gender identity consistently asserted at school. Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, should be provided with a reasonable alternative changing area such as the use of a private area (e.g., a nearby restroom stall with a door, an area separated by a curtain, a staff office in a locker room, or a nearby health office restroom) or with a separate changing schedule (e.g., using the locker room that corresponds to their gender identity before or after others do). Any alternative arrangement should be provided in a way that protects the student’s ability to keep his or her transgender status confidential. A transgender student shall not be required to use a locker room that conflicts with that student’s gender identity.
Physical Education Classes & Intramural Sports
Interscholastic Competitive Sports Teams
Dress Codes
Discrimination/Harassment
It is the responsibility of each school and the District to ensure that transgender and gender nonconforming students have a safe school environment. This includes ensuring that any incident of discrimination, harassment, or violence is given immediate attention, including investigating the incident, taking appropriate corrective action, and providing students and staff with appropriate resources. Complaints alleging discrimination or harassment based on actual or perceived transgender status or gender nonconformity are to be handled in the same manner as other discrimination or harassment complaints
Transferring to Another School
AUSD will aim to keep transgender and gender nonconforming students enrolled at their neighborhood school sites, adhering to Board policies. Opportunity transfers should not be considered a school’s first response to harassment and should be considered only when deemed necessary 1) for the protection or the personal welfare of a transferring student or 2) when requested by student and/or parent/guardian. The student and/or parent/guardian must consent to any such opportunity transfer.
Additional Questions or Concerns
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed here, please contact the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at (510) 337-7063. If you believe that AUSD board policy has been violated and wish to file a complaint, please complete a Uniform Complaint form, which can be accessed by clicking here . Legal References: 5 CCR Section 4900(a) (5 CCR Sec. 4910(k)). Cal. Ed. Code Section 201(a)).
Acknowledgements
AUSD policy and practice is informed by the work of the California Safe Schools Coalition (http://www.casafeschools.org ). AUSD acknowledges the work of this organization and also the work of other California school districts that are aiming toward the same goals as AUSD, namely to ensure all people are guaranteed their rights under the law, regardless of gender.
Resources
AUSD Contacts
AUSD Resources
AUSD Gender Support Guide (for students who want to modify their gender identity or expression - can be filled out by student, family member, teacher, or other supportive adult)
AUSD: Transgender Additions to Administrative Regulation 5125: Student Records
AUSD: Transgender Additions Administrative Regulation 5145.3: Nondiscrimination/Harassment
AUSD: Resolution Declaring October as LGBTQ History Month (Includes teacher guide and two lessons)
AUSD: Proclamation Reaffirming Commitment to the Rights of LGBTQ+ Youth, Families, and Staff
Letter from Round Table Supporting the Proclamation
AUSD: Anti-Bullying Resources
AUSD's Anti-Bullying History and Implementation Timeline (PDF)
Other Resources
Media Coverage
Alameda Magazine: "Everyone Belongs Here Becomes an Official Alameda Motto" (January 22, 2018)
AUSD: "Creating a Profound Presence: AUSD Staff, Students Celebrate LGBTQ History Month" (October, 2015)