The ACLU of Wisconsin is thrilled to announce two new resources designed to empower students, teachers, and parents in advocating for safer and more inclusive public schools: a toolkit, The Guide to Advocating For Your Civil Rights and Liberties in Wisconsin Schools, and an online blog post, Know Your Rights as a Transgender Student.
The Guide to Advocating For Your Civil Rights and Liberties in Wisconsin Schools addresses many pressing issues facing Wisconsin schools today. It provides essential information to help students, parents, and faculty understand and advocate for their rights, including:
- Harassment and Discrimination: Learn how to recognize and respond to bullying and discrimination.
- Gender Identity Rights: Understand the rights regarding pronouns, names, and bathroom access.
- Book Bans and Censorship: Discover strategies to fight against censorship in schools.
- School Governance: Gain insights into how school boards function and how to influence policy decisions.
The toolkit, which was funded by the Trans Justice grant from the National American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives (ASNI), aims to educate our community so that they can protect and advance civil liberties in public schools across Wisconsin. As stated in the guide, “Every student has the fundamental right to a safe, inclusive, and enriching learning environment.” However, challenges such as book banning, discrimination, censorship and harassment threaten this ideal.
Our second resource, Know Your Rights as a Transgender Student, addresses the specific rights and protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students in Wisconsin. Key highlights include:
- Bathroom and Locker Room Access: Public schools must allow students to use facilities that align with their gender identity. Denying this right violates Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.
- Participation in Activities: Under Title IX, students have the right to participate in school activities that are consistent with their gender identity. This includes sports and extracurricular clubs.
- Dress Codes: Dress codes must not discriminate based on gender or force conformity to sex stereotypes. Schools cannot restrict clothing choices based on traditional gender roles.
- Use of Pronouns: Schools must respect students’ preferred names and pronouns, and policies should reflect this commitment.
These resources are not just informational — they’re tools for action. We believe that by empowering students, parents, and educators with knowledge, we can foster a more inclusive and respectful school environment for everyone.
