Know Your Rights at School

The information on this page is not legal advice. Some information on this page may be out-of-date and is currently undergoing revisions. Please contact GLAD Law Answers with questions or for updated information.

If you have questions about the impact of recent court and executive actions on your rights under Title IX, visit our Title IX Know Your Rights page to learn more.

This information applies to public schools and in some cases private schools that receive federal funding. If you have questions about your rights in private school, contact us.

Self Expression

  • You have a right to be referred to by your preferred name and pronouns.
  • You have a right to dress and express yourself in a manner consistent with your gender identity.
  • You have a right to free speech and expression. This includes the right to respectfully express opinions or ideas which may offend others – including discussion of LGBTQ topics – and to disagree with others. Remember that others also have the right to respectfully express their own ideas and opinions.

Prom and Other Dances

  • Your school cannot stop you from taking a date of the same sex or gender to your prom or school dance, as long as your choice of date meets the rules applied to all students.
  • Your school cannot treat dates of the same sex or gender differently, including by requiring only same-sex dates to have parental permission.

Learning

You have a right to access information about LGBTQ subjects, including educational websites. Your school’s internet filters should not prevent this access.

Sports

Prohibitions on discrimination apply to all school programs, including sports.

School Records

  • You have a right to have your school and medical records kept confidential.
  • You can ask your school(s) to amend their records – even after graduation – to reflect your current name and gender identity.

Guidance for Schools

Connecticut and Massachusetts have issued specific guidance for how schools should follow gender identity non-discrimination laws:

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Because every situation is different, the information here cannot replace personalized advice from a qualified lawyer. Laws change frequently, and GLAD Law does not guarantee that the information on this page is current or complete. For legal advice or referrals, please contact GLAD Law Answers.