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The following are highlights of the rights and protections for LGBTQ+ students in Maine’s public schools, as of Summer, 2022. GLAD – GLBT Legal rights and Defenders – is the national organization that compiles current laws, and advocates for increased rights and protections. You can learn more at www.glad.org. The Maine Department of Education has a LGBTQ+ section on their website – https://www.maine.gov/doe/lgbtq.
If your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. This complaint needs to be filed within 300 days of the incident. Learn more at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/. You also have the right to hire a private lawyer.
You have the right to be free from discrimination and harassment at school and at all school events.
You have the right to a safe, secure, and peaceful learning environment.
You have the right to express your gender freely as long as it abides by the school dress code.
You have the right to be consistently called by the correct name and pronoun. Official school records must maintain legal name, but all other school documentation including rosters, attendance list, year books, etc can have the name you ask them to use.
You have the right to bring a same-sex date to prom, homecoming, or other school events.
You have the right to talk openly about your LGBTQ+ identity.
If your school allows clubs, they must allow – and follow the same protocols for – a Gay/Straight/Trans Alliance.
You have the right to use the bathroom that most aligns with your gender.
You have the right to use the changing room and locker room that most aligns with your gender.
On overnight trips, you have the right to be housed in the facilities that most aligns with your gender.
You have the right to privacy – school staff should not be disclosing your LGBTQ+ identity to your family or outside community members without your permission.
You have the right to learn about LGBTQ+ issues and have access to educational and age appropriate information and resources about LGBTQ+ issues and people.
Schools must take “prompt, appropriate action” if they hear about any bullying or harassment related to gender identity or expression.