Youth | Schools | Massachusetts

All Massachusetts public school students have the right: 

• To be safe in school without being bullied  

• To be protected from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity  

• To dress and present yourself in a manner consistent with your gender identity  

• To play school sports and use the restroom consistent with your gender identity 

• To have your chosen name and pronouns respected 

• To take a date of any gender to prom 

• To access information about LGBTQ topics at school 

• To form a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) that gets treated the same as any other student group 
• To free speech and expression. Generally, this means you have the right to express ideas and disagree with other people, as long as you express them in a respectful way.  

Schools must treat all students fairly, including transgender students. This means schools should create a safe and inclusive learning environment and respect a student’s gender identity. 

Bathrooms and Locker Rooms  

You have the right to use restrooms and locker rooms that match your gender identity. 

School Sports  

You have the right to take part in school activities, including sports, in ways that match your gender identity. 

Pronouns  

Your school is required to respect your name and pronouns. 

You can start by asking for support from someone you trust, like a friend, teacher, or school counselor. If it feels safe, you may choose to talk directly with the person or people involved. 

You can also review your school’s policies and report what is happening to the staff member listed in the policies. This is often a principal, vice principal, or Title IX coordinator. 

It can help to write down what happened, including dates, what occurred, and who was involved. If you meet with school staff, keep notes about who you spoke with, when you met, and what they said they would do. Schools should respond and take steps to stop the discrimination or bullying. Learn more about advocacy tips here. 

If the school does not help or follow through, you can contact your state department of education to report the situation or ask for help. 

If these steps do not stop the discrimination, you may want to consider legal options. You can contact GLAD Law Answers for free, confidential information and referrals. 

You can also file a complaint with your school’s Title IX coordinator or with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Find out how to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. 

If you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, please let us know.  

Yes, Massachusetts has created guidance for schools on the rights, responsibilities and best educational practices for transgender and gender non-conforming students. 

The guidelines include the following: 

• Schools should respect a transgender student’s name and pronouns; 

• Schools should respect transgender students’ privacy regarding any medical information, previous names, etc.; 

• The name and gender on a student’s records should conform to the student’s gender identity; 

• Transgender students should be able to use the restroom, locker room, and changing facility that accord with their gender identity; 

• In any sex-segregated activities (including athletics), transgender students should be able to participate in a manner consistent with their gender identity. 

Learn more about this guidance.