In 2009, Equality Illinois will introduce its new School (In)Equality Project in Chicago. Chicago has a flourishing LGBT community and has good anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, these gains for adults have not translated into an appropriate level of affirmation of LGBT and questioning youths within public schools.
Students of color appear to be more vulnerable to harassment and violence if identified as LGBT. Unfortunately, many administrators within schools where racial minorities comprise the majority of students have not ensured open affirmation of LGBT students and have not provided resources specifically tailored to the needs of those students. Such omissions include: student clubs, supportive or openly LGBT faculty, programs regarding sexual orientation, library information, and resources for services within and outside the city school system.
The aim of the Schools (In)Equality Project is to achieve new policies within the Chicago public school system that will require the provision of information and basic resources specifically tailored to LGBT and questioning students in every high school in the city.
Through this exciting new project, Equality Illinois will work to educate the public about the unequal treatment of LGBT and questioning students within Chicago schools. Working in collaboration with other organizations in the city, we will focus on how the needs of students of color remain unmet.
