This report would not have been possible without the support, engagement, and advice of many people:
The Safe and Supportive Schools Program Advisory Committee for their invaluable insight regarding the relationship between school district policy and LGBTQ inclusion and for thoughtfully guiding the contents of the survey that informs this report.
School district staff and board members, who by responding to our survey demonstrated an interest in working toward safer and more supportive school climates for LGBTQ students and staff in their schools.
Members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus and allies in the California Legislature, who encouraged their constituent school districts to participate in the survey.
Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and his staff at the California Department of Education, for his letter of support that accompanied the Safe and Supportive Schools Survey that was distributed to unified school districts.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for his letter of support for the inaugural Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card. Equality California looks forward to continued collaboration with the California Department of Education.
Latham & Watkins LLP, whose pro bono partnership and contributions throughout the course of this project — including research, technical guidance and logistical support — enabled us to launch the inaugural survey to unified school districts across California and produce this report.
Equality California Institute board members, staff and interns, who contributed to creating the survey and drafting this report and conducted tireless outreach over many months to secure responses from school districts.
Jesse Reed, graphic designer, and Dean Purvis, web developer, who spent countless hours creating visuals and developing an interactive website to help bring this report to life.
Finally, we are thankful for you, the reader, for investigating the progress being made toward safe and supportive learning environments in California schools. We urge you to read this report with a critical eye, to verify the answers that respondents provided, and to engage with your local school districts to both acknowledge their efforts and to advocate for even more inclusive programs and policies where needed.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Equality California Institute sincerely thanks the Safe and Supportive Schools Program Advisory Committee for their invaluable insight regarding the relationship between school district policy and LGBTQ inclusion and for thoughtfully guiding the contents of the survey that informs this report.
Co-Chairs
- Anthony Duarte, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board Member
- James Williamson, Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Trustees & Equality California Board Member
Members
- Alexis Ortega, The LGBT Community Center of The Desert
- C. Scott Miller, California Teachers Association
- Collen Kutney, Human Rights Campaign
- Dave Reynolds, Anti-Defamation League
- Eddie Martinez, Latino Equality Alliance
- Ellen Kahn, Human Rights Campaign
- Erik Martinez, San Francisco Unified School District
- Ginna Brelsford & Geoffrey Winder, GSA Network
- Henry Lo, Garvey Elementary School District Board Member
- Hope Jackson, Human Rights Campaign
- Jeff Freitas, California Federation of Teachers
- Jill Gover, The LGBT Community Center of The Desert
- Joel Gemino, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
- Joey Hernández, Los Angeles LGBT Center
- Kevin Gogin, San Francisco Unified School District
- Kimberley Plotnik, Anti-Defamation League
- Laura W. Kanter, The LGBT Center Orange County
- Lisa Cisneros, California Rural Legal Assistance
- Nicole Arteaga, San Francisco Unified School District
- Porter Gilberg, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
- Ray Lopez Chang, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, District 5
- Rebecca Rolfe, San Francisco LGBT Center
- Renata Moreira, Our Family Coalition
- Rick Oculto, Our Family Coalition
- Shannan Wilber, National Center for Lesbian Rights
- Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, The LGBT Center Orange County
- Tarah Fleming, Our Family Coalition
- Vincent “Vinnie” Pompei, Human Rights Campaign Foundation