The Safe Schools Program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students is a joint initiative between the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. Founded in 1993 in response to concerns about LGBTQ youth suicides and other risk factors, the program now offers a range of services designed to help schools implement state laws impacting LGBTQ students, including the state's anti-bullying law, gender identity law, and student anti-discrimination law.

The Safe Schools Program also manages the Massachusetts Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Student Leadership Council.

Training, Technical Assistance & Implementation Support

The Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students provides comprehensive training and technical assistance to support LGBTQ students, families and staff. Our work focuses on creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments by addressing bullying, promoting understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity, and improving school climate.

We partner with public schools across the state—including preschools, charter schools, magnet schools, vocational/technical schools, and Chapter 766-approved special education schools—to provide professional development, policy guidance, and tailored support.

Our services (offered at no cost to districts) include:

• Training on fostering inclusive and affirming school environments.
• Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse students and staff.
• Guidance on implementing equitable policies and practices.
• Strategies for strengthening family engagement.
• Advancing inclusivity in physical education and sports.
• Addressing community concerns about LGBTQ-related content in curricula through clear communication and education.

The Safe Schools Program equips educators, administrators, and school staff with the tools to create schools where every student and staff member can thrive.

To request training or technical assistance, please submit a request.

Massachusetts Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Student Leadership Council

The Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Council empowers LGBTQ middle and high school students and their allies to influence policy, foster inclusive school environments, and develop leadership skills. It includes a state-level and five regional councils, meeting bi-monthly to discuss leadership, share resources, and collaborate on projects. For more details and meeting dates, visit the Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Council webpage.

Resources for Schools Supporting Younger Students

The Safe Schools Program offers tailored training, technical assistance, and resources to help schools create affirming environments for younger students. Our work focuses on fostering self-expression, promoting understanding of diverse family structures, and building a foundation of self-acceptance, kindness, and respect. By addressing these topics early, schools can help students develop empathy, respect for others, and confidence in their own identities.

Key areas of support include:

• Promoting Self-Expression: Providing tools and strategies for creating classroom environments where students feel safe to express themselves authentically.
• Understanding Diverse Family Structures: Helping educators celebrate and include the diversity of families in lessons, conversations, and school activities.
• Fostering Self-Acceptance, Kindness, and Respect: Supporting students in developing a positive sense of self while cultivating a culture of empathy, kindness, and mutual respect.
• Engaging Families: Encouraging collaboration between schools and families to ensure students receive consistent support at school and at home.
• Addressing Bias Early: Equipping educators with resources to challenge stereotypes, promote fairness, and nurture a respectful and inclusive culture among younger students.

We provide developmentally appropriate resources and guidance tailored to the unique needs of elementary schools, including Rainbow Clubs or similar initiatives, to ensure all students feel seen, valued, and supported.

To request training or technical assistance, please submit a request. Let us partner with you to create a welcoming environment grounded in kindness and respect for all students and their families.

Family Engagement

Engaging families is a critical component of supporting LGBTQ students. Strong partnerships between schools and families provide vital emotional and social support, helping students thrive both at home and in school. Schools play a pivotal role in fostering open, culturally responsive communication with families, offering strategies to affirm their children's identities, and sharing resources to promote LGBTQ inclusion. Collaboration between schools and families creates a supportive network that affirms students' identities and enhances their well-being.

Our family engagement support is designed to help educators effectively connect with families of LGBTQ+ students, build understanding, and create affirming and inclusive environments within Massachusetts public schools. We emphasize intersectionality and cultural responsiveness, equipping educators with practical strategies to guide families along a continuum of acceptance and support.

We use an inclusive definition of "family" to encompass parents, guardians, extended family members, chosen family, caregivers, and any other individuals who provide love and care. This approach recognizes and honors the diverse family structures and relationships that contribute to a student's well-being.

For additional resources or guidance on family engagement related to LGBTQ identities, please reach out to the Safe Schools Program .

Inclusive Curriculum

The regulations (603 CMR 26.00) for the Massachusetts Student Rights Law (MGL Ch. 76, Sec. 5) state that "all public school systems shall, through their curricula, encourage respect for the human and civil rights of all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation."

Implementing an inclusive curriculum helps to ensure that all students feel represented and supported. Schools and districts striving to make their instructional materials more inclusive can access a range of resources. These resources are designed to help educators provide equitable, high-quality, and standards-aligned materials, alongside professional development opportunities. By integrating these tools, schools can better meet the needs of all students, especially those from historically underserved communities.

These resources will help students value the contributions of LGBTQ people and understand their place in history, literature, and other fields.

• Center for Instructional Support — The Center for Instructional Support works to give every student access to a safe and supportive school environment that cultivates academic curiosity and confidence.
• DESE Model Curriculum Units — Defending Democracy at Home: Advancing Constitutional Rights, Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) Same-Sex Marriage (Grades 11–12)
• Inclusive Curriculum Materials — available from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth and covering a variety of subjects in social studies and language arts

Important Resources

• 2024-2025 Commissioner Letter to District and School Leaders about the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students : This memo is intended for Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, and Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals to support their efforts in creating safe and supportive school environments for LGBTQ students.
• Guidance on Schools' Legal Obligations Regarding Hate and Bias Incidents: This document, issued collaboratively by the Office of the Attorney General, the Executive Office of Education, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides updated guidance on schools' legal responsibilities to prevent and address hate and bias incidents.
• Part I, Title XII, Chapter 76, Section 5: This law guarantees that all students, regardless of their protected characteristics, have equal access to public education and are safeguarded from discrimination. It plays a vital role in fostering inclusive and safe schools for all students in Massachusetts, including those who identify as LGBTQ.
• DESE Regulations: Access to Equal Educational Opportunity: This link provides information on Massachusetts regulations (603 CMR 26.00) ensuring equal access to educational opportunities and prohibiting discrimination in public schools.
• Principles for Ensuring Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ Students: Strategies for preventing discrimination and promoting inclusivity for LGBTQ students, adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to guide schools in implementing supportive policies, curricula, and staff training.
• Guidance on Supporting Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students — This document provides guidance for Massachusetts public schools on supporting transgender and gender nonconforming students, including best practices for respecting gender identity and ensuring an inclusive school environment.
• Guidance on Parental Notification for Bullying Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity — This document provides guidance on notifying parents when a student has been bullied based on sexual orientation or gender identity, helping schools navigate appropriate and supportive communication practices.
• Title IX — This link provides guidance on Title IX's prohibition of sex-based discrimination, which includes protections for LGBTQ students, ensuring they have equal access to education without facing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, making it highly relevant for creating inclusive and supportive school environments for LGBTQ students.
• Additional information on Massachusetts Laws and Policies — This web link provides key legal information about the rights and protections for LGBTQ students in Massachusetts schools, outlining laws and policies that safeguard them from discrimination and ensure they have equal access to educational opportunities, which is crucial for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Contact Information

Jason Wheeler (he/him), Director
Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students
Email: Safeschoolsprogram@mass.gov
Phone: 617-721-5555

Last Updated: December 10, 2024