What are the rights of LGBT students in public schools?
In Texas, LGBT students are offered the same rights as all students through Civil Rights Law. The Texas Education Code, Section 5.001, establishes the rights of all students in Texas public schools. These rights protect students from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. LGBT students are also protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The code also requires school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies that include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These policies should be communicated to all students and parents and should provide meaningful remedies for bullying incidents. Schools must also provide access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms in accordance with the gender identity of the student. This means that transgender students should be allowed to use the restroom of the gender they identify with, even if that does not match the gender they were assigned at birth. In addition, schools must ensure that LGBT students are provided with accurate information about safe sex, health, and relationships, and any materials used in health education should include positive LGBT-inclusive language. LGBT students in Texas have the right to be respected and supported by their schools, and to be free from discrimination or mistreatment. Schools should make sure that LGBT students feel safe and accepted, and be proactive in creating environments that are inclusive and free from bigotry.
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