To Our Transgender & Gender-Expansive DPS Students & Staff: We See You & Stand With You

At Durham Public Schools Foundation, we believe every student, educator, and staff member deserves to participate in a school environment that affirms their identity, ensures their safety, and upholds their dignity. 

But right now, that very environment is being threatened for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students, educators, and staff. 

Through a series of federal executive orders, the government has made further attempts to bar transgender students from fully participating in school life, including sports. Public schools everywhere are being told their federal funding will be revoked if they engage in curriculum or practices meant to support the validity of these students. At the same time, we are closely monitoring state-level movements, where similar efforts may arise. 

We are committed to ongoing learning and responsiveness to best meet the needs of DPS transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students and staff, ensuring that we stay informed and adapt our practices to offer the strongest support possible in these times of uncertainty.

What You Can Do

Join us. Below, you’ll find resources from community partners Rainbow Collective for Change NC and the LGBTQ Center of Durham. In addition, we’ll continue to advocate for policies and practices supporting this population and encourage you to do the same.

This month also marks Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. We ask you to commit to uplifting and validating the lives and experiences of transgender and gender-expansive youth and adults on that day and every day.

Final Thoughts

No student, educator, or staff member should feel like they don’t belong. And no educator or staff member should feel unable to support our students.

Let’s stand up together and create a school system where everyone, regardless of gender identity, can feel seen, heard, and supported. 

Thank you,

Erika Wilkins

Executive Director, DPS Foundation

Resources

Rainbow Collective for Change NC

Website

Find on Facebook and Instagram: @RainbowCollectiveforChangeNC

• Community Events & Meetups

  Rainbow Story Time — Honoring Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading

  • Saturday, March 8 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Durham County Main Library

  • Register for Story Time 

  BIPOC Rainbow Family & Friends Day (Rescheduled)

  • Saturday, March 15 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Duke Park

  • Register for Family & Friends Day

  RCC 7-12 Year Old Meet Up — with NC Eclectic ESports

  • Sunday, March 23 | 2 - 4 p.m. | People’s Solidarity Hub

  • Register for Meet Up

• Educator Workshop: Supporting and Affirming Transgender and Gender Expansive Students (Virtual)

  DPS Educators Only

  • Monday, March 10 | 1- 2:30 p.m.

  • Register for Educators Workshop

  Open Workshops

  • Wednesday, March 12 | 3:30 - 5 p.m.

  • Register for March 12 Event

  • Wednesday, March 19 | 3:30 - 5 p.m.

  • Register for March 19 Event

LGBTQ Center of Durham

Website | View More Events

Find on Facebook @lgbtqcenterdurham and Instagram @lgbtqdurham

Features LGBTQ+ Youth Center of Durham | Find on Facebook and Instagram @queeryouthdurham

• Youth Drop-In

  Every Wednesday | 4:30 - 7 p.m.

  LGBTQ Center of Durham

• The Transgender People of Color (Trans POC) Support Group

  First Wednesday of the Month | 5 – 7 p.m.

  LGBTQ Center of Durham

• Save the Date

  Transgender Day of Visibility Event

  March 23

Additional

Equality NC Resources for Youth, Community, and Families