I grew up in Cincinnati, where my schooling was marked by discrimination and racism—On GLSEN’s State Policy Scorecards, Ohio ranks -1/6 meaning the state has adopted discriminatory policies that disaffirm or exclude LGBTQ+ youth.
Thankfully, I was able to safely navigate those times with the support of my educator mother. Now, in 2022, I am saddened to see Ohio schools have not improved much. But it’s not only Ohio, schools nationwide are hostile environments for a distressing number of LGBTQ+ students. The overwhelming majority of our students routinely hear anti-LGBTQ+ language and experience discrimination at their schools.
LGBTQ+ youth have access to varying levels of support and protections under state laws across the country. Our policy maps are intended to provide communities with information on the landscape, experiences of students, and resources to successfully advocate for LGBTQ+ students.
Explore your state’s Policy Scorecard and see how you can move the needle toward affirming inclusive policies in your community. Quality K-12 education is a fundamental right for every student, in every state. Progress should not, and does not, need to take multiple generations. We have the power to make schools safer and more inclusive for all young people, while they’re still young.
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
Executive Director
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers/They, Them, Theirs
